Rem Confesor Jr., PhD. NCWQR, Heidelberg University Great Lakes Sedimentation Workshop May 14 15, 2013

Transcription

1 THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR WATER QUALITY RESEARCH: F From Landscape L d to t Lake L k Erie Ei Continuum Rem Confesor Jr., PhD. NCWQR, Heidelberg University Great Lakes Sedimentation Workshop p May 14 15, 2013

2 MISSION Promote the sustainable use of water and g to protect p soil resources while striving ecosystem integrity.

3 A Little History 1969: River Laboratory y by y Dr. David B. Baker 1974: Renamed the Water Quality Laboratory 1978: Studies extended to Lake Erie (Lake Erie Intensive Study) 1980: Added p pesticide analysis y 1990 s: Tributaries of Ohio River 2004: Renamed NCWQR 2010 s: Focus on Dissolved Phosphorus & Algal Blooms

4 The Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program 15 stations paired to USGS gages Covers >50% of Ohio s land area

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6 SOME DATA DRP vs. TP & PP

7 0.8 Unit area loa ad, kg/ha a Maumee Sandusky Honey Creek Rock Creek YEAR

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10 INCREASING DRP 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) (OH-NRCS 2012) conservation practices are less useful for controlling dissolved phosphorus; producers broadcast fertilizer onto the soil surface large-equipment traffic may have caused soil compaction resulting in decreased infiltration and increased runoff; fertilizer is applied in the fall instead of spring; application of two years worth of fertilizer increased soil phosphorus levels, particularly at th soil the il surface f (soil ( il stratification) t tifi ti )

11 A Review of BMP Effectiveness Most BMP effectiveness assessments were focused on TP and sediment reduction. Traditional belief: majority of P losses occur as particulate P attached to sediments. Difficult to assess single BMP effectiveness. No silver bullet to solve the DRP problem. BMP effectiveness threshold limits is confounded by extreme weather. Most studies were done or focused outside of Lake Erie watersheds. No rigorous assessment of agricultural BMPs specific to the Lake Erie watersheds.

12 Related Pending Projects Verification and Enhancement of NRCS NRCS-USDA USDA Nutrient Tracking Tool with a Suite of Best Management Practices (BMPs) (BMPs). Assessment of nutrients and sediment reduction efforts in the Great Lakes.

13 More DATA ALGAL BLOOMS!

14 09/03/2011 (DOY=246) 08/30/2012 (DOY (DOY=243) 243)

15 The Microcystis-Anabaena bloom of 2009 was the largest in recent years in our sampling region until

16 But dissolved phosphorus was similar!?! Diss solved Reac ctive Phosp phorus (mettric tons) 1000 Maumee River Sandusky River

17 2011 and 2012 are extremes is 17% of 2011! TP Load (metrric tons) T Spring total phosphorus

18 DRP P Load (metric tons) Spring dissolved phosphorus 500 Maumee River and 2012 are extremes is 15% of 2011! NOAA Ecofore/Maumee Loads.xls

19 What about 2013? 6,000 5, Cumulattive Discharge e 2012 Average 4, ,000 2,000 1, Feb 19 Mar 8 Apr 28 Apr 18 May 7 Jun 27 Jun

20 What about 2013? 2, ,000 Average Cumullative TP Load d ,500 1, Feb 19 Mar 8 Apr 28 Apr 18 May 7 Jun 27 Jun

21 What about 2013? Cumu ulative DRP Load 350 Average Feb 19 Mar 8 Apr 28 Apr 18 May 7 Jun 27 Jun

22 What about 2013? We still don don tt know: let s let s be cautious cautious Still early to make conclusions?

23 SUMMARY NCWQR (Mission and History) Heidelberg s Tributary Loading Program Data on DRP vs. TP vs. PP BMP Effectiveness W th is Weather i a major j factor f t Spring loads correlated with Algal blooms and 2012 are extremes 2013? We still don don tt know

24 THANK YOU! Rem R em Confesor rconfeso@heidelberg.edu