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Nutrient Criteria in Streams
Project Title: Linking Observational and Experimental Approaches for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria for Wadeable Streams Funding Agency & Period: US EPA to Baylor; 2005-2007Project Management: Ryan King (PI), Bryan Brooks (Co-PI) Funding Summary: Total Amount = $209,432 ($155,000 federal) Project Summary: We are using a novel approach to identifying a defensible, effects-based numerical target concentration of phosphorus for wadeable streams in US EPA Region 6. Our approach relies on an integration of real-world field data from numerous wadeable streams (following Aquatic Life Use Support categories: high, high/moderate, moderate/low, low/unknown) in Region 6 with replicated, experimental data generated from experimental streams, or stream mesocosms. Contrary to existing monitoring in the state of Texas, which relies solely on chemical endpoints (e.g., nutrients) or simple measures of algal abundance (Chl. a), we will explore the community responses of the aquatic species (periphyton and macroinvertebrates) that represent most of the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Development of Baylor University’s experimental stream system, part of the Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research (BEAR) facility, is currently supported by an additional Altria Foundation Water Quality grant to Drs. King, Brooks and Doyle. These model systems are often recognized as a “gold standard” experimental approach for ecological risk assessments of aquatic contaminants because they bridge the gap between laboratory predictions and field observations, which can substantially reduce uncertainty associated with risk-based approaches. The outdoor BEAR facility consists of 12 sixty-feet long replicate streams. It is located at the Lake Waco Wetlands facility were it receives a high-quality, polished source water supply. This facility represents a unique aquatic science research tool, as it is one of the only ones of its type in the world. Research Objectives: Our research approach is consistent with the U.S. EPA’s National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria. Specifically, our proposed objectives include the follow key attributes: 1. Explicitly addresses biological integrity; 2. Develops cause-effect linkages between nutrient pollution and stream ecosystem responses by reproducing field responses in an experimental setting; 3. Identifies a critical level of nutrient pollution that causes harm to biological integrity using a weight-of-evidence approach; 4. Estimates the probability of harmful effects associated with different levels of nutrient pollution so that managers understand the likely ecological linkages of selecting a target nutrient concentration for water quality standards and future TMDL studies in wadeable streams. |
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