Development of SedimentQuality Objectives for CaliforniaBays and EstuariesDevelopment of SedimentQuality Objectives for CaliforniaBays and Estuaries
Project Update
Steven Bay
Southern California Coastal WaterResearch Project (SCCWRP)
steveb@sccwrp.org
Project ActivitiesProject Activities
Science TeamScience Team
Contracts and work initiated with most ofthe key technical partners
San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI)
–Database development, benthic indices
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML)
–Benthic indices, sampling methods
Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory (MPSL)
–Toxicity methods
EXA Data and Mapping
–Database development
Other consultants will be added for specificelements
Scientific Steering CommitteeScientific Steering Committee
Dr. Todd Bridges, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC
Dr. Dan Dauer, Old Dominion University
Tom Gries, Washington Dept. of Ecology
Chris Ingersoll, U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. Scott Ireland, U.S. EPA, Office of Water
Dr. Peter Landrum, NOAA, Great Lakes EnvironmentalResearch Lab
Edward Long, ERL Environmental
Donald D. MacDonald, MacDonald Environmental Services
Gail Sloane, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Dr. Dominic DiToro, Hydroqual Inc.
Dr. Paul Dayton, Scripps Inst. of Oceanography
Direct EffectsDirect Effects
Sediment quality database development
Chemical effects analysis
Toxicity method comparison
Benthic community assessment tooldevelopment
Integration of triad into objectives
DatabaseDatabase
Revised data format to accommodatebioaccumulation data and simplify structure
Incorporating additional data
–San Diego Bay
–Newport Bay
–San Francisco Bay (RMP & others)
–EMAP 1999 & 2000
Inventoried additional San Francisco Baydata for inclusion (SFEI)
–Dredging studies
–Military base clean up studies
–Richmond Harbor and airport expansion studies
Updated inventory will be distributed forcomment in February
Benthic CommunityAssessment Tool DevelopmentBenthic CommunityAssessment Tool Development
Refine Benthic Response Index (BRI)
–Improve effects gradient data for SouthernCalifornia
–Additional index validation
–Investigate applications for San Francisco Bay
Investigate alternative assessment tools forother regions of State
–San Francisco Bay approach
–RIVPACS
Compare/standardize sampling methods
–Sampling gear
–Sieve sizes
Benthic Community AssessmentTool DevelopmentBenthic Community AssessmentTool Development
Refine Benthic Response Index
–Sampled 20 “high impact” sites insummer 2003
–Joint project with SFEI to examine BRIutility for SF Bay
Benthic Community AssessmentTool DevelopmentBenthic Community AssessmentTool Development
Investigate alternative tools
–Joint effort with SFEI to examine SF Bayapproach
–Joint effort with TetraTech to examineRIVPACS approach
–Evaluation of community zonation alongPacific Coast
Benthic Community AssessmentTool DevelopmentBenthic Community AssessmentTool Development
Comparison of sampling methods
–Comparison of sieve sizes underway
•Over 100 samples from multiple habitats
–Planning for sampling gear comparison
•Compare grab types and cores
•Sampling planned for summer 2004
Toxicity Method ComparisonToxicity Method Comparison
Evaluation of candidate chronic sedimenttoxicity test methods
–15 stations from So. Calif. and S.F. Bay
–6 methods will be compared to acute amphipodtoxicity, chemistry, and benthos
•Amphipod growth and reproduction
•Polychaete growth
•Copepod reproduction
•Juvenile clam growth
•Oyster embryo cell integrity
•Mussel embryo development
–Data from first phase testing received
–Subsequent studies will depend upon results
Indirect EffectsIndirect Effects
Evaluation of models for sediment-fish transfer
–Identify most useful approaches
–Understand data needs and uncertainty
Case study to link sediment contamination tohuman/predator risk
–Site-specific data for selected contaminants andreceptors
–Identify methods and data needs for application in otherareas
Working with SFEI to develop scope and workplan
Method ManualsMethod Manuals
Field sampling
–Benthic sampling method comparisons
Chemical contamination
Toxicity
–Chronic test comparison
Bioaccumulation potential
Benthic community impact
–Assessment tool development
Information management
AssessmentAssessment
Sediment Quality Summary
–Describe extent and magnitude ofimpacts in bays and estuaries
–Assessment based on draft objectivesToxicity
Requires representative data
–EMAP, NOAA, Bight surveys