algal metric approaches for assessing trophic condition and organic enrichment in u.s. streams and...
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Algal metric approaches for Algal metric approaches for assessingassessing trophic condition trophic condition and organic enrichment in and organic enrichment in U.S. streams and riversU.S. streams and rivers
Stephen D. PorterStephen D. PorterNorman E. SpahrNorman E. SpahrDavid K. MuellerDavid K. MuellerMark D. MunnMark D. MunnNeil M. DubrovskyNeil M. Dubrovsky
NWQMC MeetingNWQMC MeetingMay 10, 2006May 10, 2006
San Jose, CASan Jose, CA
EPA National Water Quality InventoryEPA National Water Quality Inventory (305b Report to Congress)(305b Report to Congress)
Causes of water-quality impairmentCauses of water-quality impairment• SiltationSiltation• NutrientsNutrients• Oxygen-depleting substancesOxygen-depleting substances
Sources of water-quality impairmentSources of water-quality impairment• Nonpoint-source runoff from urban & agricultural landNonpoint-source runoff from urban & agricultural land
EPA Nutrient Criteria – Streams and Rivers EPA Nutrient Criteria – Streams and Rivers (U.S. EPA, 2000)(U.S. EPA, 2000)
Primary VariablesPrimary Variables• Nutrients Nutrients (TN & TP)(TN & TP)• Algal Biomass Algal Biomass (chlorophyll (chlorophyll aa))• Water Clarity Water Clarity (turbidity, transparency, total suspended solids)(turbidity, transparency, total suspended solids)
Secondary Response VariablesSecondary Response Variables• Stream Metabolism—DO, pHStream Metabolism—DO, pH• Biological Attributes Biological Attributes (autecology, nature of response, grazers, IBIs)(autecology, nature of response, grazers, IBIs)
Why are algae important for assessing water quality?Why are algae important for assessing water quality?
Objectives and Scope
1. Which algal metrics are most useful for assessing nutrient and organic enrichment in streams and rivers?
2. How well do these metrics correlate with nutrient concentrations Nationally? Regionally?
3. Do the algal metrics discriminate among land-use categories?
4. How do algal metric scores respond along nutrient and land-use gradients?
5. Does algal biovolume (biomass, chlorophyll) vary significantly with nutrient concentrations, land-use conditions, or among major water-resource regions?
Do algal metrics and nutrient concentrations provide complementary information about the effects of land-use practices on water quality?
How do trophic boundaries derived from USGS How do trophic boundaries derived from USGS biovolume data compare with proposed nutrient criteria?biovolume data compare with proposed nutrient criteria?
NutrientsNutrients• Nitrogen: N-fixing algae, N-heterotrophsNitrogen: N-fixing algae, N-heterotrophs• N & P: eutrophic diatoms and soft (non-diatom) algaeN & P: eutrophic diatoms and soft (non-diatom) algae
Organic EnrichmentOrganic Enrichment• Pollution Tolerance (saprobien system; nutrients+carbon)Pollution Tolerance (saprobien system; nutrients+carbon)• Dissolved oxygen requirements; tolerance to low DODissolved oxygen requirements; tolerance to low DO
Major IonsMajor Ions• Salinity (specific conductance); alkalinity (hardness); certain metalsSalinity (specific conductance); alkalinity (hardness); certain metals
PhyPhysical Propertiessical Properties (pH, temperature, velocity, light, etc.) (pH, temperature, velocity, light, etc.)
Indicators of algal biomassIndicators of algal biomass• Chlorophyll Chlorophyll aa, Ash-free Dry Mass, , Ash-free Dry Mass, BiovolumeBiovolume
Indicators of water quality and trophic conditionIndicators of water quality and trophic condition• QualitativeQualitative – published literature accounts (~ 100 y history) – published literature accounts (~ 100 y history)
Algal MetricsAlgal Metrics......aggregation of species with similar autecological propertiesaggregation of species with similar autecological properties
AutecologyAutecology……physiological requirements or tolerance range of speciesphysiological requirements or tolerance range of species
Periphyton collection methodsPeriphyton collection methods
-1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
PCA (1)
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
NF_YS
SL_HB
ON_NH
TR_E
PC_MT
OT_AH
-1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0
PCA (1)
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
PC
A (
2)
NF_YS
ES_SF
SL_FRTR_OSP_OL
ON_AL
SP_PSOT_VL
OT_AHPT_LB
TR_M
PT_TB
PT_VT
PC_MT
TR_E
SL_FB
PC_LT
ON_AH
OT_MD
EUTROPHIC
SP_AM
ON_NH
SP_BM
PC_SN
OT_FH
SL_HB
PT_LA
OT_LWSP_AP
Which algal metrics are most useful for assessment?Which algal metrics are most useful for assessment?
PC_MTPC_MT Tolerant DiatomsTolerant Diatoms—Indicator of nutrient & organic enrichment—Indicator of nutrient & organic enrichment
ON_NHON_NH Nitrogen HeterotrophsNitrogen Heterotrophs—Indicator of organic nitrogen enrichment—Indicator of organic nitrogen enrichment
TR_ETR_E Eutrophic DiatomsEutrophic Diatoms—Indicator of nutrient enrichment—Indicator of nutrient enrichment
SL_HBSL_HB Halobiontic DiatomsHalobiontic Diatoms—Indicator of dissolved constituents—Indicator of dissolved constituents
NF_YSNF_YS Nitrogen FixersNitrogen Fixers—Indicator of low nitrogen or N:P ratios—Indicator of low nitrogen or N:P ratios
OT_AHOT_AH High DO IndicatorsHigh DO Indicators—Indicator of high dissolved oxygen concentrations—Indicator of high dissolved oxygen concentrations
Geographic regions based on aggregations of Water-Resource RegionsGeographic regions based on aggregations of Water-Resource Regions
Halobiontic DiatomsHalobiontic Diatoms
RegionRegion
0.00.0
0.20.2
0.40.4
0.60.6
0.80.8
1.01.0
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
912912923923
TNTNTPTP
180180182182
121121120120
248248249249
60607070
81818080
79797979
103103103103
40404040
NatNat
0.00.0
0.20.2
0.40.4
0.60.6
0.80.8
1.01.0
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88NatNat
TNTP
912923
180182
121120
248249
6070
8180
7979
103103
4040
Tolerant DiatomsTolerant Diatoms
912923
TNTP
180182
121120
248249
6070
8180
7979
103103
4040
0.20.2
0.40.4
0.60.6
0.80.8
1.01.0
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88NatNat
Nitrogen HeterotrophsNitrogen Heterotrophs
912923
TNTP
180182
121120
248249
6070
8180
7979
103103
4040
0.00.0
0.20.2
0.40.4
0.60.6
0.80.8
1.01.0
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88NatNat
EutrophicEutrophic DiatomsDiatoms
How well do “tolerant” algal metrics correlate with nutrients?How well do “tolerant” algal metrics correlate with nutrients?
Total NitrogenTotal NitrogenTotal PhosphorusTotal Phosphorus
912923
TNTP
180182
121120
248249
6070
8180
7979
103103
4040
Nitrogen FixersNitrogen Fixers
NatNat
RegionRegion
-0.5-0.5
-0.3-0.3
-0.1-0.1
0.10.1
0.30.3
0.50.5
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88NatNat
RegionRegion
-0.5-0.5
-0.3-0.3
-0.1-0.1
0.10.1
0.30.3
0.50.5
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
180182
912923
121120
248249
6070
8180
103103
4040
7979
TNTP
High DO IndicatorsHigh DO Indicators
NatNat
RegionRegion
-0.5-0.5
-0.3-0.3
-0.1-0.1
0.10.1
0.30.3
0.50.5
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
High DO IndicatorsHigh DO Indicators
NatNat
RegionRegion
-0.5-0.5
-0.3-0.3
-0.1-0.1
0.10.1
0.30.3
0.50.5
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
Nitrogen FixersNitrogen Fixers
NitrateNitrateOrthophosphateOrthophosphate
How well do “sensitive” algal metrics correlate with nutrients?How well do “sensitive” algal metrics correlate with nutrients?
Total NitrogenTotal NitrogenTotal PhosphorusTotal Phosphorus
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
Sp
ea
rma
n C
orr
ela
tion
Co
eff
icie
nt
What do algal metrics tell us about land use?What do algal metrics tell us about land use?
Undev
Undev
Parti
al
Parti
al
AgAg
Urb
anU
rban
Mix
edM
ixed
Larg
eLa
rge
Land CoverLand Cover
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
ON
_NH
ON
_NH
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
cc bb aa aa aa aa
Und
ev
Und
evPar
tial
Partia
l
AgAg
Urb
anU
rban
Mix
edM
ixed
Larg
eLa
rge
Land CoverLand Cover
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
TR
_ET
R_E
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
cc aa aabb aa aabb
Und
evU
ndev
Par
tial
Par
tial
AgAg
Urb
anU
rban
Mix
edM
ixed
Larg
eLa
rge
Land CoverLand Cover
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
SL
_HB
SL
_HB
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
dd cc aabb bbcc aa aa
Und
evU
ndev
Par
tial
Par
tial
AgAg
Urb
anU
rban
Mix
edM
ixed
Larg
eLa
rge
Land CoverLand Cover
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
PC
_MT
PC
_MT
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce)
(re
lativ
e ab
unda
nce) dd cc aabb aa aabb bbcc
Nitrogen HeterotrophsNitrogen Heterotrophs Tolerant DiatomsTolerant Diatoms
Halobiontic DiatomsHalobiontic Diatoms Eutrophic DiatomsEutrophic Diatoms
What do nutrient concentrations tell us about land use?What do nutrient concentrations tell us about land use?
Undev
Partial
AgUrban
Mixed
Large
Land Cover
0
5
10
15
20
To
tal
Nit
rog
en
(m
g/L
)
c b a a a a
Undev
Undev
Partia
l
Partia
l
AgAg
Urb
an
Urb
anM
ixed
Mix
ed
Larg
e
Larg
e
Land CoverLand Cover
00
55
1010
1515
Nit
rite
+ N
itra
te N
itro
ge
nN
itri
te +
Nit
rate
Nit
rog
en
(m
g/L
) (
mg
/L)
cc bb aa aa aa bb
Undev
Undev
Partia
l
Partia
lAgAg
Urban
Urban
Mixe
d
Mixe
d
Larg
e
Larg
e
Land CoverLand Cover
00
11
22
33
To
tal
Ph
osp
ho
rus
To
tal
Ph
osp
ho
rus
(mg/
L) (
mg/
L)
dd cc aabb aabb aa bbcc
Undev
Undev
Partia
l
Partia
l
AgAg
Urb
an
Urb
an
Mixe
d
Mixe
dLa
rge
Larg
e
Land CoverLand Cover
0.00.0
0.50.5
1.01.0
1.51.5
2.02.0
Ort
ho
ph
osp
hat
eO
rth
op
ho
sph
ate
(mg/
L) (
mg/
L)
dd cc aabb aabb aa bbcc
Total NitrogenTotal Nitrogen Total PhosphorusTotal Phosphorus
Nitrite + NitrateNitrite + Nitrate OrthophosphateOrthophosphate
Algae = NutrientsAlgae = Nutrients
Nutrients better Nutrients better than Algaethan Algae
Nutrients better Nutrients better than Algaethan Algae
Neither AlgaeNeither Algaenor Nutrientsnor Nutrients
How well do algal metrics & nutrients discriminate betweenHow well do algal metrics & nutrients discriminate betweenundeveloped and developed stream basins?undeveloped and developed stream basins?
00 33 66 99 1212 1515
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100P
erc
en
tag
e o
f e
utr
op
hic
dia
tom
sP
erc
en
tag
e o
f e
utr
op
hic
dia
tom
s
0 11 22 33 44 55
Orthophosphate (mg/L)Orthophosphate (mg/L)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
0 33 66 99 1212 1515
Nitrite + Nitrate Nitrogen (mg/L)Nitrite + Nitrate Nitrogen (mg/L)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
0 11 22 33 44 55
Total Phosphorus (mg/L)Total Phosphorus (mg/L)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
How do algal-metric scores respond along nutrient gradients?How do algal-metric scores respond along nutrient gradients?
RMSE = 18.7 (94%)RMSE = 18.7 (94%)n = 912n = 912
RMSE = 19.1 (97%)RMSE = 19.1 (97%)n = 973n = 973
RMSE = 19.0 (96%)RMSE = 19.0 (96%)n = 922n = 922
RMSE = 19.2 (98%)RMSE = 19.2 (98%)n = 973n = 973
Per
cent
age
of e
utro
phic
dia
tom
sP
erce
ntag
e of
eut
roph
ic d
iato
ms
0 2020 4040 6060 8080 100100
Percentage of urban land (ag < 25%)Percentage of urban land (ag < 25%)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
0 2020 4040 6060 8080 100100
Percentage agricultural land (urban < 5%)Percentage agricultural land (urban < 5%)
00
2020
4040
6060
8080
100100
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
Pe
rce
nta
ge
of
eu
tro
ph
ic d
iato
ms
RMSE = 16.7 (100%)RMSE = 16.7 (100%)n = 634n = 634
RMSE = 18.7 (118%)RMSE = 18.7 (118%)n = 505n = 505
How do algal-metric scores respond along land-use gradients?How do algal-metric scores respond along land-use gradients?
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
RegionRegion
0.00010.0001
0.0010.001
0.010.01
0.10.1
11
1010
100100
10001000
Bio
volu
me
(cm
Bio
volu
me
(cm
33 /m/m
22 ))
AgAgLargeLarge
Mixed
Mixed
Partial
Partial
UndevUndev
UrbanUrban
Land UseLand Use
Algal biovolume relations with geographic Algal biovolume relations with geographic region, water quality, and land useregion, water quality, and land use
MedianMedian
National:National: ( (positive relation) Nitrate (positive relation) Nitrate (= 0.179, p<0.001)= 0.179, p<0.001) (negative relation) Suspended Sediment ((negative relation) Suspended Sediment ( = -0.168, p=0.001) = -0.168, p=0.001)
Regions 4, 7, & 8:Regions 4, 7, & 8: (positive relation) TN, Nitrate, TP ((positive relation) TN, Nitrate, TP ( > 0.3) > 0.3)
Region 5:Region 5: (negative relation) Suspended Sediment, TP ((negative relation) Suspended Sediment, TP ( < -0.4) < -0.4)
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88
RegionRegion
0.00010.0001
0.0010.001
0.010.01
0.10.1
11
1010
100100
10001000
Bio
volu
me
(cm
Bio
volu
me
(cm
33 /m/m
22 ))
AgAgLargeLarge
Mixed
Mixed
Partial
Partial
UndevUndev
UrbanUrban
Land UseLand Use
EutrophicEutrophicMesotrophicMesotrophicOligotrophicOligotrophic
Estimating trophic boundary conditionsEstimating trophic boundary conditions
OligotrophicOligotrophic--MesotrophicMesotrophic 1.351.35 2121 2020MesotrophicMesotrophic--EutrophicEutrophic 1515 6666 7070
BiovolumeBiovolume(cm(cm33/m/m22))
est.est. CHLa CHLa(mg/m(mg/m22))
Dodds et al. (1998)Dodds et al. (1998)benthic benthic CHLaCHLa
(mg/m(mg/m22))
< 1.35
1.35 – 5.67
5.68 – 15
> 15.01
Distribution of algal biovolumeDistribution of algal biovolume
, cm3/m2
Distribution of eutrophic diatomsDistribution of eutrophic diatoms
Eutrophic Diatoms, percent
Distribution of nitrogen-fixing algaeDistribution of nitrogen-fixing algae
Nitrogen Fixers, percent
Summary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions
1. What do algal metrics tell us about water quality?1. What do algal metrics tell us about water quality?
2. What does algal biovolume tell us about water quality?2. What does algal biovolume tell us about water quality?
Strong correlation with nutrient concentrationsStrong correlation with nutrient concentrationsDiscrimination between developed & undeveloped basinsDiscrimination between developed & undeveloped basinsResponses along nutrient and land-use gradientsResponses along nutrient and land-use gradients
Weak correlation with nutrient and sediment concentrationsWeak correlation with nutrient and sediment concentrationsNo significant differences among land-use or regional categoriesNo significant differences among land-use or regional categories
Algal biomass may be controlled more by antecedent hydrologic Algal biomass may be controlled more by antecedent hydrologic disturbance, shading, or biological interactions (e.g. grazers) than disturbance, shading, or biological interactions (e.g. grazers) than land-use practices or nutrient concentrations. Local scale response.land-use practices or nutrient concentrations. Local scale response.
Distribution of algal tolerance indicators corresponds with Distribution of algal tolerance indicators corresponds with major agricultural and urban areas.major agricultural and urban areas.
3. How can algal indicators of stream condition be applied to3. How can algal indicators of stream condition be applied to nutrient and biological criteria? nutrient and biological criteria?
Summary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions
Autecological metrics reflect responses to eutrophication processesAutecological metrics reflect responses to eutrophication processesBiovolume (standing crop)—hydrology relations Biovolume (standing crop)—hydrology relations (days of accrual)(days of accrual)
Indicators of organic enrichment Indicators of organic enrichment
Algal data available from NAWQA Data WarehouseAlgal data available from NAWQA Data WarehouseTaxonomic consistency: ANSP Taxonomic consistency: ANSP http://diatom.acnatsci.org/nawqa/Autecology: NAWQA Algal Attributes tableAutecology: NAWQA Algal Attributes tableData Analysis: Algal Data Analysis System (ADAS—T.F. Cuffney)Data Analysis: Algal Data Analysis System (ADAS—T.F. Cuffney)
PhycoAide (ANSP)PhycoAide (ANSP)
Stephen D. PorterStephen D. PorterUSGS—Water ResourcesUSGS—Water ResourcesNAWQA National SynthesisNAWQA National SynthesisBox 25046, MS406, DFCBox 25046, MS406, DFCDenver, CO 80225Denver, CO 80225
[email protected]@usgs.gov303-445-4647303-445-4647
Literature CitedLiterature Cited
Dodds, W.K., Jones, J.R., and Welch, E.B., 1998, Suggested classification of streamDodds, W.K., Jones, J.R., and Welch, E.B., 1998, Suggested classification of streamtrophic state: Distributions of temperate stream types by chlorophyll, total trophic state: Distributions of temperate stream types by chlorophyll, total nitrogen, and phosphorus. Water Resources, v. 32, no. 5, p. 1455-1462.nitrogen, and phosphorus. Water Resources, v. 32, no. 5, p. 1455-1462.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Nutrient criteria technical guidance manual. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Nutrient criteria technical guidance manual. Rivers and Streams. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rivers and Streams. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, EPA-822-B-00-002, 240 p.Office of Water, EPA-822-B-00-002, 240 p.