Grantee Research Project Results
Evaluating agricultural management practices benefiting the Monterey Bay: reducing nutrient loads and Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) events
EPA Grant Number: R840083Title: Evaluating agricultural management practices benefiting the Monterey Bay: reducing nutrient loads and Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) events
Investigators: Bowers, Holly , O'Connor, Kevin
Current Investigators: Bowers, Holly , O'Connor, Kevin , Clark, Ross
Institution: San Jose State University
Current Institution: San Jose State University , Moss Landing Marine Labs
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: September 1, 2020 through April 28, 2025
Project Amount: $999,999
RFA: Approaches to Reduce Nutrient Loadings for Harmful Algal Blooms Management (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Harmful Algal Blooms , Water
Objective:
We will demonstrate the effectiveness of farm runoff treatment systems in reducing nutrient discharges to coastal waterways and provide a blue print for scaling-up treatment systems within two key agricultural watersheds of the Monterey Bay. This project will support successful compliance with water quality regulations. In addition, this project will examine the potential link between agricultural nutrient discharges and the growth of harmful algal blooms (HAB). This link will be examined through the study of phytoplankton physiological response to specific discharges and effects of watershed scale loading on HAB events in the Monterey Bay.
Approach:
A combination of field measurements and laboratory experiments will be used to achieve these four objectives. Water quality surveys will be performed above and below treatments/farms to quantify the effectiveness of existing technologies to guide future improvements in installations and maintenance, determine the ability of these technologies to address fertilizers other than nitrates, and investigate implementation strategies of priority management actions for individual farms to watershed scale cooperatives. We will combine data produced by this proposed study with river and wastewater data from the Central Coast Long- term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN) to estimate total riverine and municipal loads of nutrients to Monterey Bay. We will complete mesocosm lab experiments and field sampling of HAB events to demonstrate how the selected nutrient management strategies will best achieve a reduction in offshore HAB response.
Expected Results:
1) Expand the watershed monitoring systems to document progress towards water quality objectives. 2) Estimate the scale of nutrient removal and/or treatment needed to reduce HAB impacts to Monterey Bay. 3) Recommend the appropriate nutrient management practices (type, distribution and scale) to minimize near shore HAB response and determine the appropriate sub-watershed locations to implement these measures. 4) Document the primary nitrogen constituents and threshold concentrations needed to initiate a HAB response. 5) Work with industry, coastal resource managers and state agency staff to encourage the adoption and implementation of recommended nutrient management practices. 7) Integrate findings into regional watershed plans, referenced in regulations, presented to industry and published in peer review journals.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
EPA Region 9, Watersheds, Bioreactors, Treatment Wetlands, HAB Assemblages, modeling, monitoringProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.