Development and Application of the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Model

The Phase 5.3 Watershed Model simulates the Chesapeake watershed land use, river flows, and the associated transport and fate of nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay. The Phase 5.3 Model is the most recent of a series of increasingly refined versions of a model that have been operational for more than two decades. The Phase 5.3 Model, in conjunction with models of the Chesapeake airshed and estuary, provides estimates of management actions needed to protect water quality, achieve Chesapeake water quality standards, and restore living resources. The Phase 5.3 Watershed Model tracks nutrient and sediment load estimates of the entire 166,000 km² watershed, including loads from all six watershed states. The creation of software systems, input datasets, and calibration methods were important aspects of the model development process. A community model approach was taken with model development and application, and the model was developed by a broad coalition of model practitioners including environmental engineers, scientists, and environmental managers. Among the users of the Phase 5.3 Model are the Chesapeake watershed states and local governments, consultants, river basin commissions, and universities. Development and application of the model are described, as well as key scenarios ranging from high nutrient and sediment load conditions if no management actions were taken in the watershed, to low load estimates of an all‐forested condition.     

Sources of Suspended-Sediment Flux in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Regional Application of the SPARROW Model1

Brakebill, John W., Scott W. Ator, and Gregory E. Schwarz, 2010. Sources of Suspended-Sediment Flux in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Regional Application of the SPARROW Model. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 757-776. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00450.x Abstract: We describe the sources and transport of fluvial suspended sediment in nontidal streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and vicinity. We applied SPAtially Referenced Regressions on Watershed attributes, which spatially correlates estimated mean annual flux of suspended sediment in nontidal streams with sources of suspended sediment and transport factors. According to our model, urban development generates on average the greatest amount of suspended sediment per unit area (3,928 Mg/km²/year), although agriculture is much more widespread and is the greatest overall source of suspended sediment (57 Mg/km²/year). Factors affecting sediment transport from uplands to streams include mean basin slope, reservoirs, physiography, and soil permeability. On average, 59% of upland suspended sediment generated is temporarily stored along large rivers draining the Coastal Plain or in reservoirs throughout the watershed. Applying erosion and sediment controls from agriculture and urban development in areas of the northern Piedmont close to the upper Bay, where the combined effects of watershed characteristics on sediment transport have the greatest influence may be most helpful in mitigating sedimentation in the bay and its tributaries. Stream restoration efforts addressing floodplain and bank stabilization and incision may be more effective in smaller, headwater streams outside of the Coastal Plain.     

Total Maximum Daily Load Criteria Assessment Using Monitoring and Modeling Data

Applications of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) criteria for complex estuarine systems like Chesapeake Bay have been limited by difficulties in estimating precisely how changes in input loads will impact ambient water quality. A method to deal with this limitation combines the strengths of the Chesapeake Bay's Water Quality Sediment Transport Model (WQSTM), which simulates load response, and the Chesapeake Bay Program's robust historical monitoring dataset. The method uses linear regression to apply simulated relative load responses to historical observations of water quality at a given location and time. Steps to optimize the application of regression analysis were to: (1) determine the best temporal and spatial scale for applying the WQSTM scenarios, (2) determine whether the WQSTM method remained valid with significant perturbation from calibration conditions, and (3) evaluate the need for log transformation of both dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll a (CHL) datasets. The final method used simple linear regression at the single month, single WQSTM grid cell scale to quantify changes in DO and CHL resulting from simulated load reduction scenarios. The resulting linear equations were applied to historical monitoring data to produce a set of “scenario‐modified” DO or CHL concentration estimates. The utility of the regression method was validated by its ability to estimate progressively increasing attainment in support of the 2010 Chesapeake Bay TMDL.     

Development of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Allocation

Nutrient load allocations and subsequent reductions in total nitrogen and phosphorus have been applied in the Chesapeake watershed since 1992 to reduce hypoxia and to restore living resources. In 2010, sediment allocations were established to augment nutrient allocations supporting the submerged aquatic vegetation resource. From the initial introduction of nutrient allocations in 1992 to the present, the allocations have become more completely applied to all areas and loads in the watershed and have also become more rigorously assessed and tracked. The latest 2010 application of nutrient and sediment allocations were made as part of the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load and covered all six states of the Chesapeake watershed. A quantitative allocation process was developed that applied principles of equity and efficiency in the watershed, while achieving all tidal water quality standards through an assessment of equitable levels of effort in reducing nutrients and sediments. The level of effort was determined through application of two key watershed scenarios: one where no action was taken in nutrient control and one where maximum nutrient control efforts were applied. Once the level of effort was determined for different jurisdictions, the overall load reduction was set watershed‐wide to achieve dissolved oxygen water quality standards. Further adjustments were made to the allocation to achieve the James River chlorophyll‐a standard.     

长江口及其邻近海域表层沉积物分布特征

根据长江口和杭州湾北部沉积物粒度分析数据，研究表层沉积物类型、分布以及分区特征。结果表明：沉积物的分布特征受水动力条件、地貌类型以及泥沙来源等因素的综合影响，长江口表层沉积物在纵向分布上，自西向东粒径从粗到细、分选程度从好至差，在横向上自北港－北槽－南槽，沉积物粒度逐渐变细；水流动力作用强的河槽和波浪作用强的口门浅滩沉积物粒度较粗，水动力较弱的河口边滩及口外海滨区沉积物则较细。根据沉积物分布特征可将长江口及其邻近海域分为河口分汊河段沉积区、河口拦门沙沉积区、口外海滨沉积区和杭州湾北部沉积区等4个沉积区。     

Heavy Metals in Sediments and Oysters From Bluefields Bay, Nicaragua

The distribution of trace metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) was investigated during a year (1994-95) in surface and core sediment samples and in the oyster (Crassotrea rhizophorae) from Bluefields Bay, Nicaragua. the aim was to assess the arthropogenic impact of potential pollutant sources, mainly Bluefields City, since domestic waste waters are discharged directly or by infiltration to the bay. Lyophilised samples were submitted to different acid digestion methods and analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. the results showed highest contents for copper, lead and zinc near Bluefields City, with an increase in the affected area in the rainy season that is generated by greater city run off. Metal contents in oysters do not show the same distribution pattern than in sediments and were similar to those from other areas without reflecting pollution levels.     

杭州湾潮滩湿地植物不同分解过程及其磷素动态

湿地植物枯死物分解影响湿地营养物质循环.为分析杭州湾潮滩植物枯死物分解过程和磷素动态,开展了3种优势植物芦苇(Phragmites australis)、互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)和海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)立枯阶段的观测和分解袋法模拟实验.结果表明,观测期间立枯干物质量逐渐降低,180 d后逐步凋落至地面;立枯磷含量则波动下降.植物分解具有明显的阶段性,初期(0~15 d)损失最快,然后降低.地下根系分解速率表现为:海三棱藨草>芦苇>互花米草,地上部分则相反.分解95%所需时间在1.2~8.3 a之间.植物磷含量先下降后上升,绝对含量则表现为净释放.分析表明,植物分解速率与C/N比没有显著的相关关系,而受C/P比的影响较大.环境因子中的大气温度对分解也有影响.立枯阶段和分解袋法模拟下植物所处的环境不同是影响两者分解过程差异的主要原因.     

湖泊沉积物短时间反复扰动下悬浮物上生物有效磷的动态变化

以太湖梅梁湾、月亮湾的沉积物和上覆水为材料,研究了较短时间尺度和沉积物反复扰动条件下,悬浮物中不同形态生物有效磷数量分布的变化特征.结果表明,随着扰动次数的增加,上覆水中藻类可利用磷(AAP)占溶解态总磷(DTP)的百分比均有所降低.试验期间,悬浮物中弱吸附态磷(NH4Cl-P)、可被生物利用颗粒态磷(BAPP)占总磷(Tot-P)的百分比平均值分别增加了3.5%、37.3%(梅梁湾)和2.0%、50.7%(月亮湾).梅梁湾悬浮物上AAP含量及其占Tot-P的百分比随扰动次数增加而增加,月亮湾则恰好相反.扰动期间,悬浮物上BAPP含量始终大于NH4Cl-P和AAP之和,表明BAPP的80%是由NH4Cl-P和AAP组成的.这也暗示了,仅仅以悬浮物中NH4Cl-P、AAP来估算BAPP存在一定的不合理性.     

钦州湾秋季营养盐分布特征及营养状态分析研究

根据2010年9月对钦州湾海域的现场调查资料,分析了钦州湾表层海水中营养盐的分布特征及其富营养化。结果表明：该湾亚硝酸盐（N02-N）,硝酸盐（NO,-N）,铵盐（NH4-N）,磷酸盐（PO4-P）和活性硅（SiO3-Si）平均含量及范围分别为0．032（0．006-0．059）mg／L,0．262（0．018-0．663）mg／L,0．076（0．032-0．120）mg／L,0．009（0．001～0．02）mg／L和1．213（0．191-4．078）mg／L。在空间分布上,各营养盐含量均呈现出湾内高,湾外低的分布趋势,体现出秋季陆地径流的主导控制作用。相关性分析表明,秋季营养盐的补充均以陆源输入供应为主,对整个海湾的营养水平起到了主导控制作用。根据营养状态指数评价模式计算结果显示,秋季钦州湾调查海区总体表现为中度营养水平。     

福建罗源湾潮间带沉积物重金属含量空间分布及其环境质量影响

潮间带是典型的环境脆弱带和敏感带.为探明福建罗源湾潮间带的环境质量,于2009年在该区开展了野外调查,利用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-AES)测定了该区表层沉积物中重金属(Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、V、Zn)浓度,用潜在生态风险评价法评价了该区的环境质量.结果表明,整个潮间带表层沉积物主要是粉砂和黏土质粉砂,重金属元素(Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、V、Zn)的平均含量分别为:20.48、77.82、23.24、40.67、36.25、134.75、111.21 mg.kg-1;互花米草盐沼区表层沉积物中重金属含量明显高于光滩区;与其它地区相比,本区表层沉积物重金属含量明显高于福建海岸带土壤背景值,但低于珠江口地区.主成分分析和相关分析表明,工业排污和生活污水是本区重金属污染的主要来源,而矿床开采以及有机质降解产生的内源释放也是该区重金属元素来源的主要途径之一.潜在生态风险评价显示,研究区具中等程度的潜在生态危害风险;Ni和Co是主要环境污染因子,Pb的污染程度较低;互花米草盐沼的潜在生态风险高于光滩区,不同重金属的潜在生态危害程度顺序为Ni>Co>Cu>Pb>Cr>V>Zn.