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DEVELOPING NUTRIENT CRIETERIA FOR ESTUARIES WITH VARIABLE OCEAN INPUTS: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Citation:
NELSON, W. G., C. A. BROWN, B. L. BOESE, T. H. DEWITT, P. M. ELDRIDGE, J. E. KALDY, III, H. LEE, II, J. H. POWER, AND D. R. YOUNG. DEVELOPING NUTRIENT CRIETERIA FOR ESTUARIES WITH VARIABLE OCEAN INPUTS: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. Presented at Estuarine Research Federation 2007, Providence, RI, November 04 - 08, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
research presentation
Description:
Estuaries in the Pacific Northwest have major intraannual and within estuary variation in sources and magnitudes of nutrient inputs. To develop an approach for setting nutrient criteria for these systems, we conducted a case study for Yaquina Bay, OR based on a synthesis of research results derived from field studies, analyses of historical trends in water quality parameters, and a variety of modeling approaches. Oceanic inputs dominate water quality conditions during the summer dry season (May-October), and within the seaward portion of the estuary. Riverine inputs dominate during the winter wet season (April-November), and within the upper portion of the estuary. Because of rapid flushing and low biological uptake of nutrients in the wet season, dry season nutrient criteria are the most ecologically relevant for these systems. Based on scientific weight of evidence, median values for most water quality parameters could be used as interim criteria. Dissolved oxygen may be problematic as a water quality criterion during the dry season, as ocean water naturally low in oxygen sometimes enters the lower estuary during summer upwelling periods.
