Mercury Control Program for Reservoirs California Lake Management Society October 13 2016 Patrick Morris Lauren Smitherman 1 Outline Project update Program background Reservoir pilot tests ID: 557472
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California Statewide Mercury Control Program for Reservoirs
California Lake Management Society October 13, 2016Patrick MorrisLauren Smitherman
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OutlineProject updateProgram background Reservoir pilot tests
Questionnaire for binningPotential climate change impacts to reservoirs
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Background Mercury is an issue for people and wildlife eating fishState Water Board developing statewide mercury objectivesStatewide approach: 74 168 reservoirsTotal maximum daily load (TMDL)
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Impaired Reservoirs4Mercury-Impaired Reservoirs 2012 303(d) List Future ListingSlide5
Methylmercury Biomagnification5
100,000x
Dietary inputs = primary MeHg sourceSlide6
Key Factors in Mercury Problem6
Pollution
Water Chemistry
FisheriesSlide7
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Pollution
Water Chemistry
Fisheries
Water BoardsSlide8
MinesDredging and erosion from land disturbanceWastewater (NPDES-permitted facilities) Atmospheric depositionStormwater (urban runoff)
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Pollution
Water BoardsSlide9
Pollution
Water Chemistry
Fisheries
Reservoirs
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Phase I - Pilot TestsConduct in representative, select reservoirsCoordinated approach Technical review committee Scientific inputReservoir and pilot test selection
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Source control
Pilot testsSlide11
Pilot TestsHow to Bin ReservoirsQuestionnaire:Water chemistryFishing managementPilot test and technical review committee 11Slide12
What to Pilot Test
Water ChemistryAim: Reduce production
Examples: Oxidant addition
Remove/cap sediment Fisheries Mgmt
Aim:
Reduce accumulation
Examples
:
Change fish stocking
Prey fish with lower
MeHg
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Climate Change Fish Hg Changes?Can we continue to use current reservoir management strategies under changing conditions?13Slide14
Climate Change General Effects on Water QualityIncreasedWater tempsTurbidityPrimary production14Slide15
Climate Change Stratification15Reservoirs will stratify earlier in year and de-stratify later longer anoxia
more MeHg productionHypolimnion deep water will be warmer increased MeHg production rate
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Climate Change ErosionIncrease of frequency, scale, and intensity of flooding and wildland fires 16Slide17
Competing ScenariosIncreased temperatures lead to increased primary production17Slide18
Increased Primary Production18
Decreased fish
MeHg
levels via algal bloom dilution and somatic growth dilutionSlide19
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Decrease
dissolved oxygen because decomposition of (more) algae requires (more) oxygen. Less dissolved oxygen could in turn lead to
increases in in-reservoir
MeHg
production
Increased
Primary ProductionSlide20
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Increased organic matter can
enhance
MeHg production
by providing a food source to sulfate-reducing
bacteria.
H
owever
, organic matter also can
reduce the potential for methylation
and bioaccumulation by decreasing the bioavailability of
Hg to
biota due to complex binding
Increased
Primary ProductionSlide21
Adaptive Management21Slide22
Questions?22For program information and updates:www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/mercury/Email: MercuryProject@waterboards.ca.gov