Development of Sediment Quality Objectives for California Bays and Estuaries Technical Approach Steven Bay Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)

SQO Development Project Major Components Science –Understand the system –Improve assessment tools –Focus on benthic community effects Implementation –Guidance for regulatory activities –Methods manuals Policy –CEQA process

Primary Tasks Planning and technical review Database development Benthic community assessment tool development Effects assessment and analysis Sediment quality objectives development Implementation program Sediment quality summary

Science Team SCCWRP San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory (MPSL) EXA Data and Mapping Other consultants for specific elements –Statistical analysis –Bioaccumulation modeling

Planning and Technical Review Workplan development –Update 1991 workplan –Feasible for budget and schedule Communication with agencies and public –Agency coordination –Public advisory group –Annual workshops Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) –Key federal and state agencies –Incorporate best feasible science –Build upon experience of others

SSC Members Dr. Todd Bridges, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC Dr. Dan Dauer, Old Dominion University Tom Gries, Washington Dept. of Ecology Chris Ingersoll, U.S. Geological Survey Dr. Scott Ireland, U.S. EPA, Office of Water Dr. Peter Landrum, NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Edward Long, ERL Environmental Donald D. MacDonald, MacDonald Environmental Services Gail Sloane, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Database Development Statewide sediment quality database –Foundation for analyses to develop and verify proposed SQOs –Build upon ongoing efforts by CSTF, SCCWRP, other agencies –Sediment chemistry, toxicity, benthic community, and bioaccumulation data –Monitoring, dredging permits, special studies Available to public –Resource for other projects

Database Structure Study Station Sample Master Core Event Grab Event Core Sample Dredge Fate Chemistry Results Chemistry Batch Bioaccum Organism Toxicity Results Tox Sum Results Toxicity WQ Biology Batch Infauna Results

Data Sources CSTF sediment quality database BPTCP studies EMAP and other regional monitoring data (e.g. SF Bay RMP) Dredging studies TMDL studies National Sediment Inventory Evaluate studies for data quality prior to inclusion

Benthic Community Assessment Tool Development Benthic macrofauna represent most sensitive aquatic species Data interpretation is complex and subject to confounding factors –Assessment tools based on multiple species/metrics needed Approach: –Refine So. Calif. Benthic Response Index (BRI) –Develop tools for other regions of State –Compare/standardize sampling methods

Effects Assessment and Analysis Evaluate data quality and completeness Investigate site-specific, geochemical and biological factors Evaluate performance of existing sediment quality guidelines –Empirical approaches (e.g., ERM, AET) –Causal approaches (e.g., equilibrium partitioning) Evaluate fish bioaccumulation models –Use existing data –Describe predictive ability and limitations

SQO Development Multiple types of objectives anticipated Narrative SQOs –Require “triad” information –Effects-based –Address site-specific concerns or uncertainty Numeric SQOs –Based on predictive relationships –Chemical-specific, toxicity, benthos –Incorporate mixture effects Different SQOs may be needed for different applications

Numeric SQOs Analysis of California data Apply and evaluate multiple approaches –AETs, ERMs, regression –Equilibrium partitioning –Benthic community response –Alternative analysis methods Evaluate performance of existing and California-specific guidelines –Efficiency –Sensitivity –Specificity Establish objectives based on application

Bioaccumulation-based SQOs SQOs based on direct effects may not be protective for indirect effects from bioaccumulation –Short-term laboratory exposures –Upper trophic level species may respond differently Technical challenges are greater for bioaccumulation SQOs –Multiple exposure pathways –Multiple types of receptors –Site-specific factors are of high importance Bioaccumulation SQOs are not feasible on statewide basis

Bioaccumulation SQO Support Fish bioaccumulation model development –Evaluate/compare various models –Compare predictions to field study results SQO development case study –Demonstrate objectives development for selected chemicals/receptors –Use regional data –Develop a framework for SQO development process Resulting framework will identify method and data needs for future application

Narrative SQOs Address uncertainty in numeric SQOs –Confirmation of predictions from SQOs –Incorporate site-specific factors Protect against indirect effects –Long-term exposure –Bioaccumulation E.g., Chemicals shall not bioaccumulate from sediment into organisms to levels that are potentially harmful to human health

Implementation Program Guidance for use of SQOs –Assessment (e.g., 303(d) listing) –Discharge regulations –Sediment cleanup –Multiple vs. single lines of evidence Guidance for monitoring and assessment studies –Methods manuals for sampling and analysis Enforcement policy

Sediment Quality Summary Support policy development Summarize conditions in CA bays and estuaries (based on existing data) –Chemistry –Toxicity –Benthos Assessment of impacts based on SQOs

January 2003: Project start Workplan development Database creation June 2003: Adopt workplan Benthic assessment tool development Data analyses Limited field sampling August 2005: Draft SQOs for review Guidance development Additional analyses (respond to comments) Summary of sediment quality February 2007: Adopt SQOs Schedule