Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) Studies and Assistance to States and TribesStudies and Assistance to States and Tribes

Mo Flexner, EPA Region 4, SESD, Athens, GAMo Flexner, EPA Region 4, SESD, Athens, GA

SWPBA Lake Guntersville State Park, AlabamaSWPBA Lake Guntersville State Park, Alabama

November 14, 2012November 14, 2012

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Chris DeckerChris Decker Hunter JohnsonHunter Johnson Phyllis MeyerPhyllis Meyer Don NorrisDon Norris SESD StaffSESD Staff Water Protection Division (WPD) StaffWater Protection Division (WPD) Staff

United StatesUnited StatesEnvironmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency

HQ and 10 regionsHQ and 10 regions Labs & special OfficesLabs & special Offices 17,000 + employees17,000 + employees $10.5 billion budget (2009)***$10.5 billion budget (2009)***

Protect human health & the Protect human health & the environment.environment.

Implement environmental Implement environmental policypolicy

Assessment, Research, Assessment, Research, EducationEducation

United States Environmental Protection AgencyRegion 4

RegionalAdministrator

Superfund

RCRAEnvironmentalAccountability

ExternalAffairs

Air, Pesticides& Toxics

Policy &Management

Water

Science &Ecosystem

Support

Human Resources,IT, Planning

Regional Counsel,Environmental Justice

Public Outreach,Press, Congress

RCRA, Brownfields,UST's, Recylcing

Superfund,Emergency Response

Surface Water,Wetlands, Groundwater

Environmental Studies,Laboratory Services

Air, Radiation,Toxics, Pesticides

Athens

DivisionDirector

Management& Technical

Services

EcologicalAssessment

Branch

Enforcement &Investigations

Branch

AnalyticalSupportBranch

OrganicChemistry

InorganicChemistry

RCRA & WaterEnforcement

Air &Superfund

AquaticBiology

EcologicalEvaluation

ProgramSupport

QualityAssurance

US EPA Region 4Science & Ecosystem Support Division

Athens, GA

Chemists17%

Biologists18%

Environmental Scientists18%

Microbiologists2%

Environmental Engineers10%

Technicians & Specialists7%

Students2%

Managers12%

Clerical5%

Infrastructure9%

Science and Ecosystem Support DivisionWorkforce Breakdown

Analytical Services BranchAnalytical Services Branch

Organic and inorganic Organic and inorganic analysesanalyses

State of the art State of the art equipmentequipment

Large workloadLarge workload Analytical methods Analytical methods

developmentdevelopment

Enforcement & Investigations BranchEnforcement & Investigations Branch

Industrial Facilities, Treatment Plants, Industrial Facilities, Treatment Plants, Hazardous Waste Sites, etc.Hazardous Waste Sites, etc.

Superfund Investigations, Emergency ResponseSuperfund Investigations, Emergency Response Criminal InvestigationsCriminal Investigations Sampling and Analysis Methods DevelopmentSampling and Analysis Methods Development

Waste Water Treatment Plant Audits and AssessmentsWaste Water Treatment Plant Audits and Assessments Waste Identification, Sampling, Spill CleanupWaste Identification, Sampling, Spill Cleanup Groundwater Wells, drilling, monitoringGroundwater Wells, drilling, monitoring Soil and Sediment SamplingSoil and Sediment Sampling Ecological Risk AssessmentEcological Risk Assessment

Hazardous Waste InvestigationsHazardous Waste Investigations

Waste Water Waste Water Treatment PlantsTreatment Plants• evaluate plant evaluate plant

operations & ID operations & ID problemsproblems

• monitor permitsmonitor permits• Intersection of Intersection of

science, law and science, law and industryindustry

Air InvestigationsAir Investigations

• monitor air toxinsmonitor air toxins• investigate spills investigate spills

and industryand industry• Law, human health, Law, human health,

industrial processesindustrial processes

Ecological Assessment BranchEcological Assessment Branch Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Estuaries, Wetlands, Riparian ZonesLakes, Rivers, Streams, Estuaries, Wetlands, Riparian Zones Water Quality and Quantity InvestigationsWater Quality and Quantity Investigations Sampling and Analysis Methods DevelopmentSampling and Analysis Methods Development

Biological Assessment (fish, invertebrates, algae)Biological Assessment (fish, invertebrates, algae) Wetlands (identification and assessments)Wetlands (identification and assessments) Fisheries and Tissue AnalysisFisheries and Tissue Analysis Toxicity TestingToxicity Testing Nutrient and Ecological CyclesNutrient and Ecological Cycles Pollutant Loading and Wasteload AllocationPollutant Loading and Wasteload Allocation Oxygen DynamicsOxygen Dynamics Hydrologic StudiesHydrologic Studies Sediment StudiesSediment Studies Ecological Data AnalysisEcological Data Analysis GIS investigationsGIS investigations

Where We WorkWhere We Work

Biological AssessmentBiological AssessmentBiological assessments assess the health of ecosystems using the inhabitants of the ecosystem as indicators.

Organisms can integrate the overall effects from all stress factors.

Fish, algae, macroinvertebrates are studied.

Water Quality InvestigationsWater Quality InvestigationsWater Quality studies are conducted in freshwater and estuarine environments. Physical and chemical parameters are measured to assess the health of the ecosystem.

Oxygen Dynamics studies assess ecosystem productivity by closely measuring the behavior of dissolved oxygen in water column, phytoplankotn, sediments, and the atmosphere.

Hydrology and SedimentHydrology and Sediment

Stream flow and channel parameters are measured to assess impacts from sedimentation. Sediment samples are analyzed for particle size and chemical contaminants.

Excess sediment is a major problem in southeastern streams.

Wetland StudiesWetland Studies

Wetland studies are conducted in every Wetland studies are conducted in every type of wetland system to develop type of wetland system to develop ecological functional assessments, and ecological functional assessments, and determine ecological value for wildlife determine ecological value for wildlife habitat, flood control, etc.habitat, flood control, etc.

In large wetland systems, such In large wetland systems, such as the Everglades or coastal as the Everglades or coastal salt marsh areas, helicopters salt marsh areas, helicopters are used as the only practical are used as the only practical way to access remote sampling way to access remote sampling stations.stations.

Ocean SurveysOcean Surveys

Ocean surveys characterize sites Ocean surveys characterize sites for disposal of dredge material by for disposal of dredge material by analyzing water chemistry, analyzing water chemistry, sediment particle size and sediment particle size and macroinvertebrates.macroinvertebrates.

Coral reef studies are conducted to Coral reef studies are conducted to assess the health of offshore assess the health of offshore environments. environments.

EPA's ODMDS Program and use of the OSV EPA's ODMDS Program and use of the OSV Bold, Flexner 2009Bold, Flexner 2009

About the OSV About the OSV BoldBold First commissioned in October 1989 as the First commissioned in October 1989 as the

USNS Vigorous, a T-AGOS class vesselUSNS Vigorous, a T-AGOS class vessel Later renamed the USNS Later renamed the USNS Bold Bold and served and served

on many surveillance (enemy sub) missions on many surveillance (enemy sub) missions in the Pacific Oceanin the Pacific Ocean

Purchased by EPA from the Navy for $1 on Purchased by EPA from the Navy for $1 on March 31, 2004 to replace the Peter W. March 31, 2004 to replace the Peter W. Anderson, EPA’s previous OSVAnderson, EPA’s previous OSV

Operational for its first survey in August Operational for its first survey in August 20052005

BOATS, BOATS, BOATSBOATS, BOATS, BOATS

EAB utilizes a variety of EAB utilizes a variety of watercraft for conducting watercraft for conducting freshwater, estuarine and freshwater, estuarine and marine studies.marine studies.

Tribal Assistance - EABTribal Assistance - EAB

5 seasonal water quality/sediment sampling 5 seasonal water quality/sediment sampling efforts since 2008 including 2 in FY12 on efforts since 2008 including 2 in FY12 on Lake Luftee in support of the Cherokee Lake Luftee in support of the Cherokee Tribes. ASB provided the analytical support.Tribes. ASB provided the analytical support.

2 seasonal water quality/sediment studies 2 seasonal water quality/sediment studies on Lake Pushmataha including 1 in FY 12 in on Lake Pushmataha including 1 in FY 12 in support of the Choctaw Tribes to establish support of the Choctaw Tribes to establish baseline conditions and evaluate baseline conditions and evaluate community ponds used for subsistence community ponds used for subsistence fishing. ASB provided the analytical fishing. ASB provided the analytical support.support.

Tribal Assistance - EABTribal Assistance - EAB

In FY12, EAB and WPD held a joint 2-day In FY12, EAB and WPD held a joint 2-day monitoring training course in Athens to monitoring training course in Athens to assist the Poarch Creek, Catawba and assist the Poarch Creek, Catawba and Cherokee tribes in monitoring and Cherokee tribes in monitoring and assessment strategies.assessment strategies.

In FY12, EAB and WPD scientists met with In FY12, EAB and WPD scientists met with members of the Poarch Creek and Catawba members of the Poarch Creek and Catawba nations and conducted a field nations and conducted a field reconnaissance of important water reconnaissance of important water resources in anticipation of future resources in anticipation of future assistance.assistance.

Tribal Assistance - EIBTribal Assistance - EIB

Enforcement staff provided technical Enforcement staff provided technical assistance to the Cherokee in flow assistance to the Cherokee in flow measurement for an NPDES permit and to measurement for an NPDES permit and to assess modifications to a trout farm assess modifications to a trout farm discharge outlet. Staff is also working on discharge outlet. Staff is also working on training related to new treatment system training related to new treatment system certification.certification.

Air staff conducted a technical systems Air staff conducted a technical systems audit and an independent audit of an audit and an independent audit of an ozone analyzer for the Cherokee.ozone analyzer for the Cherokee.

Comprehensive Water Quality Comprehensive Water Quality Study (WQS) Project ComponentsStudy (WQS) Project Components

Water Sampling: Water Sampling: • Nutrients, Metals, Inorganic, Long Term BODNutrients, Metals, Inorganic, Long Term BOD

In SituIn Situ Water Quality Monitoring Water Quality Monitoring• Dissolve Oxygen, pH, Conductivity, Turbidity Dissolve Oxygen, pH, Conductivity, Turbidity

Stage and Current MeasurementStage and Current Measurement Reaeration MeasurementReaeration Measurement Sediment Oxygen DemandSediment Oxygen Demand Nutrient ExchangeNutrient Exchange Solar RadiationSolar Radiation Light ProfilesLight Profiles Water Column and Community MetabolismWater Column and Community Metabolism

Water QualityWater Quality

Water SamplingWater SamplingIn SituIn Situ Water Quality Water Quality

MonitoringMonitoring

Surface Water SamplingSurface Water Sampling

Station Result Units Limiting Nutrient

WB-1 6.6 mg/L Nitrogen + Phosphorus

WKBB-2 2.1 mg/L Nitrogen

MGRB-8 7.7 mg/L Phosphorus

In SituIn Situ Water Quality Monitoring Water Quality Monitoring

Temp

(˚C)

SpCond (S/cm)

pH Turb. (NTU)

DO (%Sat)

DO

(mg/L)

min 28.56 3935 6.98 11.4 41.3 3.05

max 31.28 12229 8.54 1358.1 124.3 8.98

avg 29.74 7959 7.80 111.7 83.2 6.16

SedimentSedimentSIZE CLASS CLASS PEBBLE COUNT

CLASS MAX NAME REACH

(mm) (mm)   TOT # ITEM % % CUM

<0.062 0.062 silt/clay 7 7 7

0.0621-2 2 sand 13 13 20

2.1 - 4 4 very fine gravel 2 2 22

4.1 - 8 8 fine gravel 5 5 27

8.1 - 16 16 med. gravel 3 3 30

16.1 - 32 32 coarse gravel 11 11 41

32.1 - 64 64 v. coarse gravel 12 12 53

64.1 - 128 128 small cobble 10 10 63

128.1 - 256 256 large cobble 15 15 78

256.1 - 512 512 small boulder 12 12 90

512.1 - 1024 1024 med. boulder 5 5 95

1024.1 - 2048 2048 lrg.-v. lrg. boulder 0 0 95

2048.1 - 4096 4096 bedrock 5 5 100

    TOTALS 100 100  

Flow Measurement Flow Measurement

Station Date Time Flow(cfs)

Average Velocity

(fps)

MF01 4-Aug 16:55 39.9 0.25

MF01 8-Aug 10:45 26.2 0.42

MF02 5-Aug 12:30 35.7 0.19

MF03 1-Aug 17:25 27.8 0.17

MF03* 4-Aug 13:00 31.0 ---

MF04 2-Aug 12:30 129.8 0.54

MF05 4-Aug 12:00 31.3 0.59

MF06 4-Aug 9:45 38.2 0.19

MF06 5-Aug 14:00 47.4 0.20

MF07 3-Aug 13:30 78.3 0.51

Dye TracerDye Tracer

StationDye

ReleaseCentroid Arrival

  TOT   velocity

  Time TimeFrom Point

miles hrs fps

MF058/4/2010

11:408/5/2010

14:55MF03 3.4 21.83 0.228

MF078/3/2010

14:158/6/2010

7:20MF06 3.3 46.5 0.104

Current MeasurementCurrent Measurement

Stage and Current Results Stage and Current Results

Reaeration Measurement Reaeration Measurement

Calculation Time

Average Wind Speed ka

Location (Start) (Stop) (mph)(day-1, @

20°C)Weeks

Bay

(Float 1)

1440 1627 13.74 8.07

Weeks Bay

(Float 2)

0850 1140 9.11 2.32

Magnolia River

1710 1820 8.01 1.06

Fish River 930 1140 4.43 0.01

Sediment Oxygen Demand and Sediment Oxygen Demand and Nutrient ExchangeNutrient Exchange

Productivity and RespirationProductivity and Respiration

WB1 0.0097 6.34 4.90 1.29WKBB2 0.0059 3.94 5.80 0.68MGRB8 0.0187 6.57 6.95 0.95

GPP (gO2/m2/day) GPP/Langley Station

R* (gO2/m2/day) GPP:R

Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina

BP Oil SpillBP Oil Spill

BP Oil SpillBP Oil Spill

BP Oil SpillBP Oil Spill

EPA BLIMP CAMERAEPA BLIMP CAMERA

Project Request Project Request FormForm

General TimelineGeneral Timeline

SESD Cooperation with StatesSESD Cooperation with States

Weeks Bay Weeks Bay Water Quality Water Quality

StudyStudy

20112011

Alabama Department Alabama Department of Environmental of Environmental

ManagementManagement

Pearl River Water Pearl River Water Quality StudyQuality Study

20122012

Mississippi Mississippi Department of Department of Environmental Environmental

QualityQuality

Weeks BayWeeks Bay

Weeks Bay WQSWeeks Bay WQS Monitoring Design for Monitoring Design for

Determining the Determining the Sources, Fate, Sources, Fate, Transport, and Effects of Transport, and Effects of Nutrients (NSFTE) StudyNutrients (NSFTE) Study• Mississippi Department Mississippi Department

of Environmental Quality of Environmental Quality (MSDEQ)(MSDEQ)

• Alabama Department of Alabama Department of Environmental Environmental Management (ADEM)Management (ADEM)

• Tetra TechTetra Tech OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE

• Collect field data for Collect field data for model calibration for use model calibration for use in NSFTE Study in NSFTE Study

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

SESDSESD Reaeration ratesReaeration rates Sediment Oxygen Demand Sediment Oxygen Demand

(SOD)(SOD) Nutrient Exchange ratesNutrient Exchange rates Productivity and Productivity and

Respiration (P&R) ratesRespiration (P&R) rates Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll a

ConcentrationsConcentrations Algal Growth Potential Algal Growth Potential

(AGP) Concentrations / (AGP) Concentrations / Limiting NutrientLimiting Nutrient

In-situIn-situ Water Quality Data Water Quality Data Stage and Current/Flow Stage and Current/Flow

MeasurementMeasurement

ADEMADEM Water Quality SamplingWater Quality Sampling Current/Flow MeasurementCurrent/Flow Measurement

Pearl River ProgramPearl River Program

Completed WorkCompleted Work• 2 Comprehensive 2 Comprehensive

StudiesStudies• 100 River Miles 100 River Miles • 10 Tributaries 10 Tributaries

Pearl River WQSPearl River WQS

OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE• Collect a complete Collect a complete

water quality model water quality model calibration dataset calibration dataset

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

SESDSESD Reaeration ratesReaeration rates Sediment Oxygen Sediment Oxygen

Demand (SOD) ratesDemand (SOD) rates Productivity and Productivity and

Respiration (P&R) ratesRespiration (P&R) rates Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll a

ConcentrationsConcentrations Algal Growth Potential Algal Growth Potential

(AGP) Concentrations / (AGP) Concentrations / Limiting NutrientLimiting Nutrient

Nutrient Exchange ratesNutrient Exchange rates In-situIn-situ Water Quality Water Quality

DataData

MDEQMDEQ In-situIn-situ Water Quality Water Quality

DataData Water Quality SamplingWater Quality Sampling Stage and Flow Stage and Flow

MeasurementMeasurement Air BoatAir Boat

Relationship By-productsRelationship By-products

Refinement of Current MethodsRefinement of Current Methods Sharing of Method KnowledgeSharing of Method Knowledge Expanded Capabilities and WorkExpanded Capabilities and Work New Method DevelopmentNew Method Development

Questions?Questions?

Mo FlexnerMo FlexnerEcological Assessment BranchEcological Assessment Branch

Flexner.morris@epa.govFlexner.morris@epa.gov(706) 355-8713(706) 355-8713