1. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Combining Dynamic Assessment with Traditional Monitoring Approaches to Improve Understanding of NPS Pollution Impacts William T. Stringfellow Sharon E. Borglin Gary M. Litton Jeremy S. Hanlon Mark S. Brunell University of the Pacific Environmental Engineering Research Program Stockton, CA

2. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 OutlineOutline San Joaquin River San Joaquin River  Geography  Dissolved oxygen impairment Scientific Objectives for DO TMDL Project Scientific Objectives for DO TMDL Project Combining Monitoring & Science Combining Monitoring & Science Summary & Conclusions Summary & Conclusions

3. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 San Joaquin River

4. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Highly Engineered Ecosystem

5. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Courtesy of Jones & Stokes Ecosystem Impairment

6. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Monitoring Identifies Problems Algal load contributes to DO impairment Algal load contributes to DO impairment Low DO barrier to fish migration Low DO barrier to fish migration

7. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Research Objectives – DO Project Understand algal growth processes in the San Joaquin River (SJR) Understand algal growth processes in the San Joaquin River (SJR) Conduct mass balance on algae and nutrients in the SJR Conduct mass balance on algae and nutrients in the SJR Understand how NPS discharges influence algal growth Understand how NPS discharges influence algal growth Develop scientifically based management strategies (best management practices) Develop scientifically based management strategies (best management practices)

8. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Unlimited Hypothesis Algae growth is essentially unlimited Algae growth is essentially unlimited  Nutrients are too high to control  Algae grow at constant rate down river  Control algal inoculum

9. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Limited Hypothesis Algae growth is limited Algae growth is limited  Algae reach a maximum carrying capacity  Reducing inoculum ineffective, algae grow back in river  Control limiting factor (nutrients)

10. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Research Approach Traditional monitoring Traditional monitoring  Intensive approach Directed scientific studies Directed scientific studies  Sub-watershed studies  Lagrangian studies (unit flow tracking)  Stable isotopes for source identification Modeling Modeling  Close link to monitoring & studies  Algal growth & water quality model

11. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006

12. Measurements - Grab Sample Chlorophyll Chlorophyll BOD 10 BOD 10 CBOD CBOD NBOD NBOD TOC/DOC TOC/DOC Ammonia nitrogen Ammonia nitrogen Nitrate nitrogen Nitrate nitrogen Total nitrogen Total nitrogen o-Phosphate o-Phosphate Total phosphate Total phosphate Total iron Total iron Total suspended solids Total suspended solids Volatile suspended solids Volatile suspended solids Alkalinity Alkalinity pH pH Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity (NTU) Incident light Incident light Dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen Specific conductivity Specific conductivity Temperature Temperature Algae cell counts Algae cell counts Stable isotopes Stable isotopes Lipids Lipids

13. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Monitoring Identifies Areas for Investigation

14. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Algae Growth in Sub-Watershed

15. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Correlation Between Variables

16. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Mechanistic Model

17. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Sub-Watershed Study Results Nutrients and grazing are most important non- seasonal factors Nutrients and grazing are most important non- seasonal factors  Carbonate can be limiting  Nitrogen not limiting Suspended minerals are a source of limiting nutrients for algal, independent of phosphates Suspended minerals are a source of limiting nutrients for algal, independent of phosphates Results suggest removal of sediments would limit suspended algae growth Results suggest removal of sediments would limit suspended algae growth Management based on unlimited model not recommended Management based on unlimited model not recommended

18. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Apply Lessons to Ecosystem Level Studies New emphasis on zooplankton grazing impacts New emphasis on zooplankton grazing impacts  Lipid signature and traditional (microscopic) methods Improved measurement of inorganic carbon Improved measurement of inorganic carbon  Stable isotope analysis and increased sampling Incorporation of pilot model parameters into larger river water quality model Incorporation of pilot model parameters into larger river water quality model  Mineral solids and inorganic carbon

19. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Summary & Conclusions Monitoring data identified problem areas Monitoring data identified problem areas  Provided little useful information for institution of improvements Scientific studies & modeling identifies cause & effect Scientific studies & modeling identifies cause & effect Results from studies & modeling used to improve monitoring Results from studies & modeling used to improve monitoring  Additional measurements

20. NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006