Module 4 and 5 Stream Ecology Detecting Nutrient

Module 4 and 5 Stream Ecology Detecting Nutrient Impacts on Stream Water Quality Case Study- Cape Fear River, North Carolina

Module 4/5 Stream Nutrients – Cape Fear River Background: These slides present: 1. background information on the Cape Fear River, N. C. and Tischer Creek, Duluth, MN for the purpose of discussing stream nutrient chemistry analysis in lab (only Cape Fear as of 5 -16 -03) 2. Specific techniques for students to review in or out of class (packaged as separate slide file from Modules 8/9 and 10/11 that cover Lab techniques for lake and stream surveys) 3. Note: There will be accompanying information in the form of · pdf, rtf and. doc files of a lab lesson handout(s) and supporting info · pdf, rtf and. doc files of analytical methods for a suite of water quality parameters (see notes on slides for further information) Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 2

• Multi-agency monitoring program led by UNC-Wilmington • Data animation concept initiated by Rich Huber (UNC- Wilmington) • DVT developed by Norm Will et al. (NRRIWOW) Features · Largest NC river system 9000 sq. mi. · Importance –industry, transportation, recreation, drinking water, aesthetics · Estuary – nursery for fish crabs, shrimp · >1. 5 million people Developed by: R. Axler Water Resource / Quality Issues · human wastewater · swine and poultry wastewater · logging · row crop agriculture · industrial wastewater · >280 permitted point sources · urban stormwater Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 3

Lower Cape Fear R. in SE N. Carolina Major river system • 1995 -2002 monthly data available at www. uncwil. edu/cmsr/aquaticecology/lcfrp • full Annual WQ reports also on web with interpretation by UNC-Wilmington scientists River Run DVT: • animates date either as a time series for 1 site (out of 15) or upstream to downstream at one date • T, DO, p. H, salinity, EC, turbidity, fecals, NO 3, NH 4, TN, ortho-P, TP, chlorophyll-a Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 4

• salinity 0 – 30 ppt • variable DO, fecals, NH 4 N, TP, … freshwater • many dramatic events in Aug-Sep ocean estuary Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 5

Hurricane Bonnie STORM EFFECTS • Salinity • DO • Fecals • Turbidity • nutrients September 1998 – Some things went up and some went down http: //www. uncwil. edu/riverrun/index. html Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 6

So what happens nearly every Aug. Sep in N. Carolina ? Hurricanes ! Bonnie in Sept ’ 98 Other hurricanes or gales Bertha Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 Fran U 1 -m 4/5 -s 7

A closer look at early September 1998 Hurricane Bonnie hit on Aug 26, 1998 Here is Aug’ 98 : pre-Bonnie DO colored ----station gradient --Developed by: R. Axler Updated: May 2003 U 1 -m 4/5 -s 8

Another look at the DO record straddling Hurricanes Fran, Bonnie and Floyd Cape Fear River Fran Developed by: R. Axler Bonnie Updated: May 2003 Floyd U 1 -m 4/5 -s 9

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