Water Quality Criteria:Nutrient Conundrum

2

Module Outline

1. History of the Nutrient Criteria Program

2. CA Nutrient Numeric Endpoint (NNE) Framework

3. Klamath River NNE Case Study

4. Stream and Wetlands Policy –Protecting Physical Integrity (Livsey)

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Key Take Home Messages

Nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen ) related impairments are pervasive;Numeric Nutrient Criteria provide quantifiable targets for incorporation into NPDES Permits and TMDLs;Nutrients are not inherently toxic, therefore are “unique” as pollutants, and require a unique approach;

4

Key MessagesNutrients, which are necessary for aquatic life, generally don’t cause impairment, it’s the secondary impacts (e.g., low DO) that cause concern.“Excess” concentrations of nutrients vary by waterbody type, climate, geologic areas, and other local risk cofactors (e.g., degraded riparian).Therefore, Nutrient Criteria cannot be developed as a single number for the Nation due to variability in background conditions and the role of other risk co-factors which affect nutrient processing within ecosystems.

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Key Messages Nutrients have a complex and nonlinear relationship to Beneficial Uses that is influenced by other risk cofactors!

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Key MessagesNutrient related impacts are many and varied:

Algal blooms (scum); Low dissolved oxygen; Extreme pH conditions; Fish disease & fish kills; “Weeds” affecting boating and swimming;Taste/odor; and Additional relationships include: unionized ammonia; pathogens (e.g. microcystin); methyl mercury; arsenate; and trihalomethanes.

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History of Nutrient CriteriaNutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) were consistently one of the top pollutants on the CWA Section 303(D) Lists to Congress Reports beginning in the early 1990’s.The “Nutrient Criteria Program” was initiated in 1995.1998 – The “National Strategy for the Development of Nutrient Criteria”identified need for numeric targets to measure effectiveness of watershed management programs

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Initial EPA Nutrient MissionInitial EPA Nutrient MissionPrincipal Goal: Develop Nutrient Criteria across the nation in 3 years.Criteria needed to address nutrient pollution, not natural enrichment.Primary Parameters: Total P, Total N, Chlorophyll-a and some measure of water clarity (e.g., Secchi disk depth, turbidity) Types: Numeric criteria, or narrative with numeric translator

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Primary ConceptsTailor criteria by nutrient ecoregion and waterbody typeIdentify minimally impacted conditions (reference)Address causal and response variablesUtilize local expertise, as in Regional Technical Advisory Groups (RTAGs), or other locally available experts

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CA EcoregionsEcoregions01 Coast Range04 Cascades05 Sierra Nevada06 Southern & Central CA

Chaparral & Oak Woodlands

07 Central CA Valley08 So. CA Mountains09 Eastern Cascades

Slopes & Foothills13 Central Basin & Range14 Mojave Basin & Range78 Klamath Mountains80 Northern Basin & Range81 Sonoran Basin & Range

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Distributional ApproachThe 25th or 75th percentiles were an estimate of

reference conditions – protective of all uses.

Nutrient Variable Distributions

0

0.25

0.5

0.75

1

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Concentration

Prob

abili

ty All (pmf)

Ref (pmf)

All (cdf)

Ref (cdf)

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Shift in Policy

EPA Responded in 2001 with a policy of “flexibility”, encouraging states to use different approaches.

Many states adopted a “stressor-response” approach, where they began extensive field studies to identify the algal (diatom and periphyton) responses to N and P.

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CA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsCA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsRegional Technical Advisory Group initiated in 1999 to collaboratively develop nutrient criteria – all Regional Boards participated

Studies undertaken to evaluate alternative options

Existing approach adopted by Regional Boards and other participating agencies -- still under development but basic

framework is in place.

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CA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsCA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsDecision framework includes:

Risk Based Approach: targets for response variables / secondary indicators – benthic algal biomass, DO, pHBeneficial Use Risk Categories: (BURCs) BURC 1 – Presumptive Unimpaired; BURC 2 –Potentially Impaired; BURC 3 – Presumptive ImpairedSpreadsheet tools: convert response variable limits (secondary indicator targets) to initial site-specific nutrient concentration goals.

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CA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsCA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsNo clear scientific consensus on precise levels so…….Category I: Presumptively UnimpairedCategory II: Potentially ImpairedCategory III: Presumptively Impaired

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Example 303(d) ScreeningBURC Boundaries

BA1025202510II / III

BA51010105I / IIPlanktonicAlgal Biomassin Lakes andReservoirs

(as μg/L Chl-a)summer

mean

B150150CC200150II / III

B100100CC150100I / IIBenthic AlgalBiomass

in streams (mg chl-a/m2)

Maximum

MIGR SPWN MUNREC-2 REC-1 WARM COLD

BENEFICIAL USE BURC

BOUNDARYRESPONSEVARIABLE

BA1025202510II / III

BA51010105I / IIPlanktonicAlgal Biomassin Lakes andReservoirs

(as μg/L Chl-a)summer

mean

B150150CC200150II / III

B100100CC150100I / IIBenthic AlgalBiomass

in streams (mg chl-a/m2)

Maximum

MIGR SPWN MUNREC-2 REC-1 WARM COLD

BENEFICIAL USE BURC

BOUNDARYRESPONSEVARIABLE

A = No direct linkageB= More research needed to quantify linkageC= Addressed by existing Aquatic Life Criteria

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NNE Scoping Tools & Lines of Evidence

Spreadsheet tools to convert response variable limits (targets) to site-specific nutrient concentration goals – used for initial screening – defer to more complete modeling / monitoring studiesAccount for exogenous factorsWorks for a subset of secondary indicatorsLines of evidence, tools are one component

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Spreadsheet Tools for Estimating Nutrient Concentrations

Lakes & Reservoirs: (phytoplankton chl-a) BATHTUBStreams & Rivers: (benthic algal biomass) various options -QUAL2K, Dodds

USER INPUTS

Nutrient Concentrations (mg/L)Average Minimum Maximum

Ammonia 0.03 0.02 0.05Nitrite 0.001 0.001 0.001Nitrate 0.14 0.05 0.2Organic N 0.318Phosphate 0.00618 0.003 0.01Organic P 0.00363

Average Minimum Maximum658 400 700

Stream InputsStream Depth (m) 1Stream Velocity (m/s) 0.3Water Temperature (oC) 20.0Days of Accrual (optional) 80

0%20%40%80%

Target Selection

Target (g/m2 AFDW) 100

Unshaded Solar Radiation (cal/cm2/d)

Canopy Closure

Select Method: QUAL2K, max algal density

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CA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsCA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsRegulatory Status

Estuarine Framework in DevelopmentPossible adoption options:

Narrative Nutrient Objectives with Nutrient Numeric Endpoint Framework adopted as implementation option.Narrative Nutrient Objectives with default Beneficial Use Risk Category Boundaries and NNE Framework as implementation option.Other?

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CA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsCA Nutrient Numeric EndpointsNext Steps

Peer Review of five case studiesSeveral TMDLs are being developed using the CA NNEBiomonitoring capabilities are being developed to expand lines of evidenceDevelop regional ranges for Beneficial Use Risk CategoriesGet EPA to check the Yes column!

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Klamath River NNE Case StudyKlamath River NNE Case Study

Klamath River Entering Pacific Ocean

Upper Klamath Lake Hanks Marsh

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Klamath CA Klamath CA NNE NNE

Case StudyCase StudyBasin: 12,680 sq. MilesRiver ~250 milesFive damsPopulation 114,0002/3 Federal land ownershipSeveral Federally recognized TribesTMDL listed tributaries

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Klamath River ImpairmentsCalifornia

NutrientsOrganic enrichmentDO / pHTemperatureMicrosystin toxins*

OregonDO

Chlorophyll a

Temperature

pH

Ammonia

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Klamath River Fish KillsKlamath River Fish Kills

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Klamath River Klamath River –– NNE Conceptual ModelNNE Conceptual Model

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Klamath River Klamath River –– NutrientsNutrients

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

Stateli

ne

Abov

e Iro

n Gate

Belo

w Iron G

ate

Abov

e Shas

ta A

bove S

cott

Seiad Vall

ey

Abov

e Salm

on O

rlean

s

Abov

e Trin

ity

Belo

w Trinity

Turwer

Estuary

Tota

l Pho

spho

rous

(mg

/ L)

Sum

mer

Ave

rage

"Natural"

Existing - Monitored 96-07

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Klamath River Klamath River -- NutrientsNutrients

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

Stateli

ne

Abov

e Iro

n Gate

Belo

w Iron G

ate A

bove S

hasta

Abov

e Sco

tt Seia

d Vall

ey A

bove S

almon

Orle

ans

Abov

e Trin

ity B

elow Trin

ity Tu

rwer

Estuar

y

Tota

l Nitr

ogen

(mg

/ L)

Sum

mer

Ave

rage

"Natural"

Existing - Monitored 96-07

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Klamath River Klamath River -- PeriphytonPeriphyton

0100200300400500600700800900

100011001200

Below Iro

n Gate

Further

Below Ir

on G

ateAbo

ve Sco

ttSeia

d Valley

Above

Salmon

Below Salm

on (Orle

ans)

Above

Trinity

(Weit

chpec

)

Below Tr

inity (M

artin

s)

Turwer

Chl

orop

hyll-

a m

g/m

²

MeanMaximumBackground Target Value: 150

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Klamath River Klamath River –– Diurnal DO & pHDiurnal DO & pHSeiad Valley – Typical Summer Diurnal Pattern

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

9.5

10

10.5

11

8/20/02 8/22/02 8/24/02 8/26/02

Diu

rnal

DO

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

9.5

10

10.5

11

Diu

rnal

pH

DOpHpH Objective

DO Objective

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Klamath River Klamath River -- DODO

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

At Iron G

ate

Above

Shasta

River

Above

Scott R

iver

At Seia

d Valley

At Orle

ans

Above

Trinity

At Weit

chep

ec

Below W

eitch

pec

At / ab

ove Tur

wer% Measurements < 85%saturation at medianbarometric pressure

n=4498

n=5533

n=4457

n=4713

n=5535n=4533 n=5400

n=3529

n=5543

Year: 2005

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

At Iron G

ate

Above Shas

ta Rive

r

Above Sco

tt Rive

r

At Seia

d Valley

At Orle

ans

Above Trin

ityAt W

eitch

epec

Below W

eitch

pec

At / ab

ove Turw

er

% Measurements < 8 mg / Ln=4498

n=4533

n=5400n=3529

n=5543

n=4713n=4457n=5533

n=5535

Year: 2005

Frequent violation of both existing and proposed DO Water Quality Objectives during summer months.

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Klamath River – Fish disease

Life cycle of the parasite Ceratomyxa shasta:The parasite is the primary fish health issue in the

Klamath River according to USFWS

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Klamath River – Fish disease

Severity of Ceratomyxosis in Klamath River suggests a shift in the host: parasite balance towards C. shasta

HostsSalmon & Polychaetes

EnvironmentParasite

(pathogen)

Increased stress on hosts

Increased numbers of

parasite spores

HostsSalmon & Polychaetes

EnvironmentParasite

(pathogen)

Increased stress on hosts

Increased numbers of

parasite spores

Disease

Parasite promoting

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Klamath NNE Periphyton BiomassKlamath NNE Periphyton BiomassTarget Analysis below Iron GateTarget Analysis below Iron Gate

Predicted and Observed Maximum Chlorophyll a (mg /m2)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

KR18952(below Iron

Gate)

KR17608(above

Shasta)

KR14261(aboveScott)

KR12858(SeiadValley)

KRWE(aboveTrinity)

KRTC(belowTrinity)

KRTG(Turwar)

Ben

thic

Chl

orop

hyll

a (m

g/m

2 ) Standard QUAL2K

Revised QUAL2K

Revised QUAL2K with AccrualAdjustmentDodds 2002

Observed Maximum

Observed Average

Note: Predicted maxima are spatial averages for reach. Observed data are point measurements. Data for 2004 sampling is shown.

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Estimated Reductions from 2005-2007 Levels to achieve 150 mg/m2

Station Percent Reduction TN / TP Current TN / TP Goal

Below Iron Gate 83% (N) 1.08 / 0.14 0.18 / 0.025Above Shasta

River 78% (N) 1.05 / 0.14 0.23 / 0.032Above Scott

River 70% (N) 0.94 / 0.16 0.28 / 0.039

@ Seiad Valley 21% (N) 0.56 / 0.091 0.44 / 0.061Above Trinity

River 30% (P) 0.24 / 0.056 0.28 / 0.039Below Trinity

River - 0.21 / 0.050 0.41 / 0.057

@ Turwar - 0.23 / 0.041 0.51 / 0.071

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Klamath River (reservoirs) Klamath River (reservoirs) Chlorophyll aChlorophyll a

Klamath River Reservoirs

020406080

100120140160180200

Iron GateNear Dam

Iron GateUpper Half

Copco NearDam

Copco UpperHalf

Chl

orop

hyll

a (u

g/L)

MeanMaximum

602 uG/L

Target 10uG/L

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Klamath River Klamath River –– BlueBlue--green algaegreen algaeMicrocystin Toxin Maximums-Iron Gate and

Copco Reservoirs, 2006

110

1001000

10000

100000

IRJW

7/2

7/20

06

IRJW

8/7

/200

6

IRJW

8/2

3/20

06

IRC

C 8

/23/

2006

IRCC

8/7

/200

6

IR01

7/2

7/20

06

IR01

8/2

4/20

06

IR01

8/8

/200

6

CRM

C 8

/7/2

006

CRM

C 8

/23/

2006

CR

CC 8

/8/2

006

CRC

C 8

/23/

2006

CRC

C 7

/27/

2006

CRC

C 7

/13/

2006

CR01

7/2

7/20

06

CR0

1 8

/8/2

006

CR01

8/2

4/20

06

Date and Location

Mic

rocy

stin

Con

cent

ratio

n(lo

garit

hmic

in

ppb)

Moderate Probability of Adverse Health Effects (20 ppb)

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CA NNE Targets for Reservoirs

Proposed BURC II/III Boundary:10 µg/L summer average chlorophyll a

Potential additional target: Reduced predicted cyanobacterial fraction of biomass to < 50% using regression equations relating BGI “blue green index” to TN and TP (see Downing et al., 2001)

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BATHTUB Scoping Tool Predicts Observed TN, TP, Chlorophyll a

Total N

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

Copco 02 Copco 05 Iron Gate 02 Iron Gate 05

mg/

L observedpredicted

Total P

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

Copco 02 Copco 05 Iron Gate 02 Iron Gate 05

mg/

L observedpredicted

Chlorophyll a

0

5

10

15

20

25

Copco 02 Copco 05 Iron Gate 02 Iron Gate 05

µg/L observed

predicted

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Tool Predicts TN and TP Loads that Achieve Target

N and P Loads That Meet the Chl-a Target

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 700000

P Load (kg)

N L

oad

(kg)

Allow able N-P to Meet Target Observed N-P

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Reductions to Meet Chl-a Target in Reservoirs

Reduce TP by 80 to 92%; or Reduce TN by 53 to 67%.

Reductions very similar to reductions needed to achieve DO targets using CE-QUAL-W2 model

Average cyanobacterial fraction of algal biomass predicted to be reduced to about 50%

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Klamath River NNE ConclusionsThe following nutrient risk co-factors impact impact

Water Quality / Beneficial Use Support and will Water Quality / Beneficial Use Support and will need to be addressed in any recovery plan: need to be addressed in any recovery plan:

Reduced wetland area and function in upper basinRiver hydrologic regimeImpoundmentsTemperature Riparian shadingExcess Sediment Stream channel degradation

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For Further Information

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