Grantee Research Project Results
2003 Progress Report: Development of Alternative Approaches to Assessing the Impact of Pollutants on Environmental Systems: Part 2: Management of Environmental Quality in Urban Watershed Ecosystems
EPA Grant Number: CR830912Title: Development of Alternative Approaches to Assessing the Impact of Pollutants on Environmental Systems: Part 2: Management of Environmental Quality in Urban Watershed Ecosystems
Investigators: Driscoll, Charles T. , Effler, Steven W. , Seltzer, Geoffrey
Current Investigators: Driscoll, Charles T. , Effler, Steven W.
Institution: Syracuse University , Upstate Freshwater Institute, Inc.
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 27, 2003 through June 30, 2007 (Extended to June 28, 2009)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 27, 2003 through June 30, 2004
Project Amount: $2,993,493
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2002) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop a robotic monitoring network in Onondaga, Otisco, and Skaneateles Lakes and the Seneca River; (2) develop and apply a spill-response and near-real-time (NRT) water quality model; (3) limnologically characterize and analyze lake sediment for a more complete representation of water quality conditions; and (4) conduct a series of process-level studies to demonstrate the power and utility of information generated by the robotic network.
Progress Summary:
Robotic Monitoring Network
Six robotic monitoring units were deployed, operated, and maintained in our study system in 2003. These were positioned at long-term monitoring sites in Onondaga, Otisco, and Skaneateles Lakes and at three sites along a 40 km reach of the Seneca River. Data were delivered in NRT to two different Web sites (www.ourlake.org Exit and www.NYWaterNet.org Exit ). Robot performance varied from nearly continuous successful operation (e.g., Otisco Lake) to frequent failures and interruption of data streams (e.g., Skaneateles Lake). The program is continuing in 2004; all six of these robotic monitoring units have been deployed. Unavoidable delays in river deployments were encountered because of unusually high runoff conditions. We are awaiting delivery of the seventh robotic monitoring buoy that is being acquired as part of this grant. Delivery is anticipated in July. This unit will be deployed upstream of Cross Lake and will assist in evaluating the impact of this lake on the river system. Collected data continues to be delivered to the Web sites in NRT. Examples of graphical presentations for Otisco and Onondaga Lakes that appeared in July 2004 are presented in Figures 1 and 2.
Development and Application of Models
Spill-Response Model. Data sets are in the process of being aggregated that will be used to support the setup and testing of these models for the two water supply lakes, Otisco and Skaneateles. These include bathymetric data, hydrologic data, meteorological data, and lake temperature profiles.
NRT Water Quality Model. This work element will commence in the spring of 2005.
Figure 1. Example of Displays of Lake Profiles of Water Quality Observations Based on the Collection of NRT Data From Robotic Monitoring Units. Profiles are shown for Otisco Lake on July 15, 2004.
Figure 2. Examples of Time-Series Patterns of NRT Data Collected From Robotic Monitoring Units. Time-series data are shown for Onondaga Lake in 2004.
Limnological Characterization and Analysis of Lake Sediment Deposition
Laboratory analyses of several common limnological parameters (total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, and chlorophyll a) are measured on samples collected at the robotic deployment sites to support a more complete representation of water quality conditions.
Sediment cores were collected at the site of maximum depth in Onondaga, Otisco, Skaneateles, and Cross Lakes. The sediment cores have been sectioned and currently are being dated by 210Pb and analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, mercury, and other selected trace metals.
Process-Level Studies
Data are being used from the robotic network to conduct a series of process-level studies to demonstrate the power and utility of information generated by the network.
Areal Hypolimnetic Oxygen Deficit (AHOD). Preliminary estimates of AHOD from robotic dissolved oxygen profiles have been developed for Onondaga and Otisco Lakes based on 2003 measurements. Example estimates are attached as graphical representations for these two systems (see Figure 3). Estimates also will be made for 2004 conditions. Analyses will be conducted to evaluate the benefit of the higher frequency robotic measurements (e.g., compared to more common frequencies of once per week or once every 2 weeks).
Exchange Flows Between Onondaga Lake and the Seneca River. Robotic measurements of specific conductivity have been made (and continue to be made) both upstream and downstream of the Onondaga Lake inflow to the river and in Onondaga Lake. These measurements will be used to estimate the exchange flow between the lake and river, as demonstrated earlier by Effler, et al. (2002). These analyses will be undertaken later in 2004.
Assessing the Impact of Cross Lake on the Quality of Seneca River. Once the new robot is deployed, the paired measurements upstream and downstream of Cross Lake (through mid-October) will support this evaluation. We expect this data analysis to commence late in 2004.
Comparative Limnological Analysis of Onondaga and Otisco Lakes. Otisco Lake has been identified by the regulatory community as the reference lake for the ongoing rehabilitation program for Onondaga Lake. Paired robotic measurements of these systems will be analyzed to assess contrasting characteristics and the extent of further improvement that will be necessary at Onondaga Lake to reach water quality conditions that prevail in Otisco Lake.
This work element is being "traded" for the original proposed elements of Air-Water Transfer and Primary Production and Community Respiration. The primary reason is to reduce "wear" on the profiling system. Both of these original elements require frequent (e.g., hourly) profiles. This is of particular concern now because of the recently announced closure of Apprise Technologies (a robotic buoy manufacturer). It is important to preserve the existing units and fulfill the research team's commitment to long-term monitoring of these systems.
Observations of Robotic Monitoring Units on the Seneca River. Since 1992, the invasive bivalve, zebra mussel, has infested the Seneca River. Traditional monitoring activities have documented the impacts of this bivalve invader in water quality since the population was established. Through this research, the application of robotic monitoring systems have improved greatly the temporal and spatial resolution of data sets quantifying the effects of zebra mussels on the river. Remote underwater sampling station (RUSS) units were deployed immediately downstream of Cross Lake (site 409) and Baldwinsville (site 317), a reach that contains a dense population of this bivalve, in an effort to characterize better zebra mussel metabolic drivers and the effects of zebra mussels on the downstream aquatic ecosystem. Changes in water quality attributed to the zebra mussel invasion were documented with the RUSS units for 2001 and 2002 (see Figure 4, where 409 is the upstream boundary and 317 is the downstream boundary). The effects of zebra mussel activity include the depletion of dissolved oxygen (see Figures 4a and 4b), a decrease in chlorophyll a (see Figure 4d) and turbidity (see Figure 4e), and reductions in pH (see Figure 4f). Using the intensive data sets garnered from the RUSS units, drivers of zebra mussel metabolism (e.g., flow) have been quantified and related to changes in dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll concentrations (see Figure 5 for an example). In addition, dissolved oxygen load, chlorophyll load, and turbidity:chlorophyll ratio have been calculated and related to zebra mussel metabolism (see Figures 6 and 7). All of these effects now are documented in a manner that is more comprehensive than could be obtained using traditional labor-intensive methods. The data gathered through the use of the RUSS units builds on previous work done on the Seneca River, and in turn supports further development of an NRT monitoring network for this river as well as the development and application of water quality models.
Figure 3. Comparison of Volume-Weighted Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Hypolimnion of Otisco and Onondaga Lakes
Figure 4. Distribution of Dissolved Oxygen (a), Percent Dissolved Oxygen Saturation (b), Specific Conductance (c), Chlorphyll a (d), Turbidity (e), and pH (f) in the Seneca River Above (Site 409) and Below (Site 317) a Reach of High Zebra Mussel Density
Figure 5. Areal Zebra Mussel Filtration Rate As a Function of Flow in the Seneca River in 2001
Figure 6. Mean Chlorophyll a Loss As a Function of Mean Chlorophyll Load in the Seneca River in 2001
Figure 7. Ratio of Turbidity to Chlorophyll a As a Function of Areal Filtering Rates of Zebra Mussels in 2001
References:
Effler SW, O'Donnell SM, Matthews DA, Matthews CA, O'Donnell DM, Auer MP, Owens EM. Limnological and loading information and a phosphorous total maximum daily load (TMDL) analysis for Onondaga Lake. Lake and Reservoir Management2002;18:87-108.
Future Activities:
We will continue to: (1) develop a robotic monitoring network in Onondaga, Otisco, and Skaneateles Lakes and Seneca River; (2) develop and apply a spill-response and NRT water quality model; (3) limnologically characterize and analyze lake sediment for a more complete representation of water quality conditions; and (4) conduct a series of process-level studies to demonstrate the power and utility of information generated by the robotic network. In addition, collected data will continue to be delivered to the Web sites in NRT.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 47 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
near-real-time, NRT, water quality data, nutrients, robotic monitoring, sediments, surface water quality, trace metals, water quality modeling, ecological models, ecology assessment models, ecosystem modeling, integrated watershed model, intelligent environment control system, model-based analysis, modeling, monitoring, real-time monitoring, water quality, water quality model, watershed., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Hydrology, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Ecology and Ecosystems, Watersheds, ecosystem modeling, model-based analysis, monitoring, watershed, near real time modeling, modeling, integrated watershed model, water quality, robotic monitoring, ecology assessment models, watershed assessment, ecological models, intellegent environment control system, real-time monitoringRelevant Websites:
http://www.ourlake.org Exit
http://www.NYWaterNet.org Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.