Designing a high-frequency nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring network for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, northern California

Bergamaschi, Brian A.; Downing, Bryan D.; Kraus, Tamara E.C.; Pellerin, Brian A.

doi:10.3133/sir20175058

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This study demonstrates how a network of real time, continuous water quality stations, with sensors reporting high frequency nutrient concentration data, captures both nutrient concentrations and rates of nutrient processing, providing information over broad temporal and spatial scales in ways not previously feasible (Bergamaschi et al, ; Blaen et al, ; Heffernan & Cohen, ; Pellerin et al, ; Rode et al, ). Conducting similar studies in other systems as well as in other areas of the Delta and greater San Francisco Estuary will help illuminate the effects of effluent additions on aquatic systems, as it relates to both water column and benthic processes.…”

Section: Conclusion and Ecological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Using Paired In Situ High Frequency Nitrate Measurements to Better Understand Controls on Nitrate Concentrations and Estimate Nitrification Rates in a Wastewater‐Impacted River

Kraus

O'Donnell

Downing

et al. 2017

Water Resources Research

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We used paired continuous nitrate ( NO3–) measurements along a tidally affected river receiving wastewater discharge rich in ammonium ( NH4+) to quantify rates of change in NO3– concentration ( RΔNO3) and estimate nitrification rates. NO3– sensors were deployed 30 km apart in the Sacramento River, California (USA), with the upstream station located immediately above the regional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). We used a travel time model to track water transit between the stations and estimated RΔNO3 every 15 min (October 2013 to September 2014). Changes in NO3– concentration were strongly related to water temperature. In the presence of wastewater, RΔNO3 was generally positive, ranging from about 7 µM d−1 in the summer to near zero in the winter. Numerous periods when the WWTP halted discharge allowed the RΔNO3 to be estimated under no‐effluent conditions and revealed that in the absence of effluent, net gains in NO3– were substantially lower but still positive in the summer and negative (net sink) in the winter. Nitrification rates of effluent‐derived NH4 ( RNitrific_E) were estimated from the difference between RΔNO3 measured in the presence versus absence of effluent and ranged from 1.5 to 3.4 µM d−1, which is within literature values but tenfold greater than recently reported for this region. RNitrific_E was generally lower in winter (∼2 µM d−1) than summer (∼3 µM d−1). This in situ, high frequency approach provides advantages over traditional discrete sampling, incubation, and tracer methods and allows measurements to be made over broad areas for extended periods of time. Incorporating this approach into environmental monitoring programs can facilitate our ability to protect and manage aquatic systems.

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Section: Conclusion and Ecological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Using Paired In Situ High Frequency Nitrate Measurements to Better Understand Controls on Nitrate Concentrations and Estimate Nitrification Rates in a Wastewater‐Impacted River

Kraus

O'Donnell

Downing

et al. 2017

Water Resources Research

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“…The spatially rich data set consisted of a highresolution mapping survey which spanned the Delta (Bergamaschi et al 2020). This mapping data set represents three "snapshots" in time, with surveys occurring in May, July, and October of 2018, each lasting 3 days.…”

Section: Model Demonstration Data Setmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure5K dPAR estimates calculated across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during three boat-based, high-resolution surveys (May, July, and October) conducted in 2018(Bergamaschi et al 2020) …”

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confidence: 99%

A Simple Approach to Modeling Light Attenuation in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Using Commonly Available Data

Richardson,

Bouma-Gregson,

O’Donnell

et al. 2023

SFEWS

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The diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation (KdPAR) is commonly used to predict light attenuation in aquatic productivity models, but obtaining measurements of PAR to compute KdPAR is difficult. In situ calculations of KdPAR require multiple measurements of PAR through the water column, and these measurements are infeasible for real-time recording. Instead, predictive models using surface-water measurements may be used. Traditional KdPAR models are based on open-ocean habitats and rely on chlorophyll—as a proxy measurement for phytoplankton abundance—as the main predictive parameter. However, elevated suspended sediments and dissolved organic materials may also affect KdPAR values of inland water bodies and estuaries. In this study, we leverage KdPAR calculations derived from in situ light measurements collected along with surface-water-quality parameters across the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in California, USA (the Delta). Sampling occurred between January of 2013 and May of 2014. We also explored regional and seasonal effects, but these did not clearly affect the model. Ultimately, the best-performing model included surface-level turbidity only (R2 = 0.91). The simplicity of the model facilitates use of KdPAR estimates for a variety of purposes throughout the Delta, including euphotic depth calculations, and as inputs to primary-productivity and habitat-suitability models. We demonstrate the model’s usability with two open-sources data sets (one spatially dense, and one temporally dense), and estimate KdPAR, euphotic depth, and primary productivity within the Delta. We provide calculations for each estimation, allowing users to easily adopt these models and apply them to their own data or with open-sourced data, which are abundant.

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Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water-quality constituents in the California Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta at the landscape scale—2018 high resolution mapping surveys

Bergamaschi,

Kraus,

Downing

et al. 2024

Scientific Investigations Report

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Designing a high-frequency nutrient and biogeochemical monitoring network for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, northern California

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Using Paired In Situ High Frequency Nitrate Measurements to Better Understand Controls on Nitrate Concentrations and Estimate Nitrification Rates in a Wastewater‐Impacted River

Using Paired In Situ High Frequency Nitrate Measurements to Better Understand Controls on Nitrate Concentrations and Estimate Nitrification Rates in a Wastewater‐Impacted River

A Simple Approach to Modeling Light Attenuation in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Using Commonly Available Data

Assessing spatial variability of nutrients, phytoplankton, and related water-quality constituents in the California Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta at the landscape scale—2018 high resolution mapping surveys

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