Investigation Into the Temporal Variation of Suspended Solids in Humboldt
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Investigation into the Temporal Variation of Suspended Solids in Humboldt Bay Charles Swanson1, Adam McGuire1 and Matthew Hurst2 1 Department of Environmental Resource Engineering, Humboldt State University, Arcata CA 95521 2 Department of Chemistry, Humboldt State University, Arcata CA 95521 Salinity (orange) decreases during winter and spring months as precipitation and snowmelt increase the fresh surface-water influence in the Bay. Turbidity levels appear to increase during the same periods (with the exception of the 2008/2009 season) which also correspond to the northward oceanic currents that can carry sediments from the Eel River into Humboldt Bay (Opler, 1992). Turbidity spikes begin to occur around September or October at the beginning of the wet season and reach peak activity between December and February. Wind shear across the mud flats produces a spike in turbidity every June (above) when spring winds begin to blow. Salinity and turbidity measurements taken in the Middle Channel off of Indian Island (orange diamond on the Bay map). Opler, P.A, Managing Editor (1992). The Ecology of Humboldt Bay, California: An Estuarine Profile. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Results Abstract 120.0 The relationship between turbidity, suspended solids and environmental factors within 160.0 Humboldt Bay were investigated by comparing real-time water quality data of turbidity and 100.0 140.0 salinity collected at Indian Island (Wiyot Tribe) and Dock B in Eureka (CeNCOOS). Laboratory 120.0 analyses of water samples for suspended solids and turbidity was also conducted. Although 80.0 y = 1.2525x + 2.4882 March 11, 2011 R² = 0.9243 observed trends in temporal data suggest influences on turbidity from environmental factors 2006 Tsunami Surges 100.0 such as precipitation, wind, and tidal hydraulics, this report does not attempt to quantify any 2007 60.0 2008 statistical relationships. Laboratory determination of suspended solids and turbidity from 2009 80.0 March 11, 2011 Tsunami Surges 2010 Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity Suspended Solidsmg/L) ( Eureka Channel (Dock B) sample sites around Humboldt Bay suggest a strong linear relationship using a least squares 2011 40.0 60.0 Eureka Channel (HSU Aquatic Center) 2012 regression analysis. Real-time and laboratory data are presented in an attempt to facilitate Humboldt Bay Entrance South Bay (Hookton Slough) discussion on interactions of water quality parameters within Humboldt Bay and encourage 40.0 Middle Channel (Indian Island) 20.0 further research . Arcata Bay (Mad River Slough) 20.0 Upper Limit (95% Confidence Interval) Lower Limit (95% Confidence Interval) 0.0 -0.015 -0.010 -0.005 0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 (Outgoing Tide) (Incoming Tide) Turbidity (NTU) ΔDepth/ΔTime (m/min) Background A plot showing the linear relationship between suspended solids concentrations and turbidity at various Change in water depth with respect to time represents the relative rate of tidal change in the locations in Humboldt Bay. Many studies support the linear relationship between suspended solids and Suspended sediments in Humboldt Bay middle channel off of Indian Island during ebb (outgoing) and flood (incoming) tides. Values have turbidity, although the relationship can differ between water bodies making it necessary to perform a impact the marine environment by reducing been averaged over each tidal period to display the grouping that appears as a result of the specific analysis within Humboldt Bay. light penetration into the water column. direction of flow. The data suggest that higher rates of change correlate with higher turbidity. Humboldt Bay’s commercial oysters rely on 4,000 phytoplankton as a food source, and as filter 120.0 feeders, high levels of suspended sediments 100.0 can decrease their ability to feed. Eel grass 3,000 80.0 2012 provides marine habitat, dissolved oxygen, - 60.0 food for some animal species, and hydraulic 40.0 roughness that affects sediment transport 2,000 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 20.0 within the Bay. Sample locations on the map 0.0 at right are noted in colors corresponding to 2006 Frequency Average Dec-06 Feb-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jul-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Dec-07 Maximum Filtration Efficiency Range (5 to 25 mg/L) the legend on the suspended solids versus 1,000 turbidity correlation plot in the Results Oysters filter their food from the surrounding water; when suspended solids concentrations are too low, section. food may not be available. When concentrations of solids are too high, oyster feeding efficiency decreases 0 due to larger volumes of filtrate needed to obtain the same amount of food. Suspended solids concentrations between 5 mg/L and 25 mg/L were determined to correspond to maximum filtration ΔDepth/ΔTime (m/min) efficiency for oysters in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cerco and Noel, 2005). Suspended solids concentrations in Humboldt Bay do exceed 25 mg/L intermittently during the year (above), although the The plot above displays an average frequency distribution of the range of estimated vertical tide specific impact on local oyster production was not investigated in this study. velocities at Indian Island from 2006 to 2012. A total of 196,838 values were analyzed. Data suggest that flood tides occur with greater vertical velocities more frequently than ebb tides. The Cerco, C.F., and Noel, M.R. (2005). Assessing a Ten-Fold Increase in the Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Population. US Army Engineer Research and Development. force and speed of the incoming tides may increase sediment resuspension, transport and accumulation in Humboldt Bay. Conclusion The supply and transportation of solids within Humboldt Bay is a complex issue involving multiple environmental factors. The linear relationship between suspended solids and turbidity in the Bay suggests that turbidity measurements may be a suitable surrogate for determining solids concentrations. For an accurate conversion model to be completed, more suspended solids data are needed from multiple locations around the Bay in order to calibrate the correlation. There are potential economic implications with regard to oyster mariculture and harbor dredging due to sediment resuspension and deposition. Understanding the impacts on important marine food and habitat such as phytoplankton and eel grass beds can play a roll in managing the long-term health of the Bay. Methods Acknowledgements Real-time turbidity and salinity data were measured using YSI model 6600 extended The majority of the higher turbidity points The frequency and magnitude of high occur in the middle range for salinity with a turbidity events appears to increase slightly We thank the Wiyot Tribe for the use of their water quality data at Indian Island and also for boat access to sampling sites in Humboldt Bay. deployment instrument sondes. Indian Island data were collected by the Wiyot Tribe and Dock series of spikes occurring at relatively high with respect to increased water depth Special thanks goes to Dylan Gray, Tim Nelson and Stephen Kullman in the Environmental Department. We also thank Professor Frank B data were collected by CeNCOOS. Samples for laboratory analyses were collected at several Shaughnessy and Jose Montoya at Humboldt State University for their expertise and assistance in collecting samples at Dock B. We thank salinity corresponding to incoming and high corresponding to incoming and high tides. CeNCOOS for providing access to data collected at their ocean observing stations. We thank Lauren Adabie and Bailey Lopresto for support in locations in Humboldt Bay over the course of one year and suspended solids (Standard Methods, tides. Depth measurements refer to the instrument processing samples in the lab. Lastly, we have great appreciation for Jeff Anderson P.E. of Northern Hydrology and Engineering for encouraging Section 2540 D, 19th ed.) and turbidity (HACH 2100P Turbidimeter) were measured. depth below the water surface. the future of this project and for the use of his monitoring equipment. .