1. Development of Compliance Tools for Metals
in Marine and Estuarine Environments
Systems Center
Pacific
*Patrick Earley, +Robert L. Dwyer, °Joseph W. Gorsuch, *Robert K. Johnston,
*Ignacio Rivera-Duarte, *D. Bart Chadwick
*Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, Code 71750, San Diego, CA
+International Copper Association. Ltd., Pocasset, MA, °Copper Development Association, Webster, NY
The biotic ligand model (BLM) to assess the bioavailability of copper in freshwater systems has been adopted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a basis for developing ambient water quality criteria (Final Rule: March 2007); however, the application of bioavailability models for marine waters is still under development, and has not been initiated for estuarine systems. Such models are needed to support development of appropriate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System discharge limits into marine and estuarine systems, establish sediment clean-up goals, and implement water quality improvement projects at major Navy facilities such as Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor Naval Complex, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Norfolk, Naval Station Mayport, as well as other commercial ports and harbors. In order to address this need, the U.S. Navy is leading a cooperative effort with the EPA and other regulatory agencies,
research institutions, and the private sector to advance the development of scientifically-based models and tools to assess the site-specific bioavailability of copper and other divalent metals in marine and estuarine systems that can be used to establish water quality criteria, inform the permitting process, and ensure attainment of beneficial uses under the Clean Water Act. This multi-year project will engage a technical advisory committee to review the current state-of-the-science, identify
scientific and technical data gaps, and recommend priority investigations that will advance the capability to assess bioavailability and effects thresholds of metals in marine and estuarine systems. Scientifically-sound bioavailability models and relevant toxicity thresholds will allow the application of site-specific benchmarks and criteria that are both protective and cost-effective.
WATER EFFECTS RATIO
Water effect ratio (WER) is a laboratory test to account for site-specific factors which can influence the bioavailability and toxicity of metals.
Single Site
Specific
Water
Quality Standards for each Whole Body of Water
Costs Estimated for a WER:
Assuming 8 stations, 2 events
$200,722 Case 1
$109, Case 2
*Does not included costs associated with a recalculation Procedure ($40,000)
Toxicity testing
Information required by WER:
Toxicity testing
Difference in Costs Expected for a WER and a BLM:
Assuming 8 stations, 2 events (wet/dry seasons)
$139,738 Case 1
$95,360 Case 2
Both providing the same protection to organisms in natural environments
COSTS
REQUIRED INFORMATION
SITE SPECIFIC QUALITY STANDARD
BIOTIC LIGAND MODEL
*The Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) is a predictive tool that can account for variations in metal toxicity using information on the chemistry of local water sources.
Costs Expected for a BLM:
Assuming 8 stations, 2 events (wet/dry seasons)
$60,984 Case 1
$14,160 Case 2
Chemical characteristics (TSS)
Metal Concentration Gradients
Species Specific Protective Effect
Spatial Distribution on Site
Specific
Water
Quality Standards
Information required by BLM:
Total and dissolved metal concentration
Total and Dissolved Organic Carbon
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) pH
Temperature
Salinity
Alkalinity