Field Methods Exam 1

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What are some local environmental issues?

Eutrophication/Seasonal hypoxia, Harmful algal blooms, Sewage contamination, chemical pollutants,  emerging contaminants, invasive species, decline in fish stocks, ocean acidification, sea level rise. 

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, are introduced to bodies of water, leading to overgrowth of algae.

What is the consequence of eutrophication?

The consequence of eutrophication is the depletion of oxygen levels due to the decomposition of overgrown algae.

What is seasonal hypoxia?

Seasonal hypoxia is characterized by low dissolved oxygen levels in water.

How does seasonal hypoxia relate to eutrophication?

Seasonal hypoxia can exacerbate the conditions caused by eutrophication, forming dead zones.

What are the environmental impacts of eutrophication and seasonal hypoxia?

Eutrophication and seasonal hypoxia are interconnected environmental issues that significantly impact coastal ecosystems.

Definition: Sewage Contamination

refers to the presence of harmful substances in water bodies, resulting from discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater. The contamination can occur from various sources including residential runoff, industrial runoff, & stormwater runoff

Define: Chemical Pollutants

are defined as substances that are present in the environment in concentrations that are harmful to living organisms or the ecosystem. (manmade or natural)

Definition: Emerging contaminants

refer to substances and microorganism, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials. Which may pose newly emerging risks to human health, aquatic life or the environment

Definition: Ocean acidification

refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Define Water Quality

The basic chemical & physical characteristics of water that determine its suitability for marine life or for human uses

What is calibration in the context of measuring instruments?

Calibration is the set of operations that establish the relationship between values indicated by a measuring instrument and the corresponding standard or known value.

What are the steps involved in a calibration procedure?

1. Prepare a series of standard solutions with known concentrations.

2. Plot known standards vs. analytical signal to determine the regression equation.

3. Use the equation and the signal for unknowns to find their values.

4. For field probes, steps 2 and 3 are automated.

What is a calibration curve?

A calibration curve is a mathematical function that describes the relationship between measured responses and known values of reference standards.

What is the purpose of quality control and quality assurance in sampling?

Quality control and assurance ensure that samples are collected using consistent methodologies, analyzed with accepted methods, and that data is managed carefully, including proper labeling and recording.

What is the significance of measuring dissolved oxygen (DO) in water?

DO is an important indicator of the overall biological health of a waterbody and is essential for supporting aquatic life.

How can dissolved oxygen concentrations vary in a waterbody?

Dissolved oxygen concentrations can vary both horizontally and vertically, necessitating regular sampling across different depths.

What is the measurement unit for dissolved oxygen?

Dissolved oxygen is measured in milligrams of oxygen per liter of water (mg/L).

What are the implications of low dissolved oxygen concentrations?

Low DO concentrations are considered hypoxic, while concentrations below 0.2 mg/L are often considered anoxic, indicating virtually no oxygen.

What factors influence dissolved oxygen concentrations in water?

Factors include temperature, salinity, atmospheric pressure, photosynthesis, aeration, organic matter, pollution, altitude, and chlorophyll.

How does temperature affect dissolved oxygen levels?

Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen and leads to a higher oxygen demand. Inverse relationship.

How does salinity impact dissolved oxygen concentrations?

Freshwater generally holds more oxygen than saline water.

What role does photosynthesis play in dissolved oxygen levels?

Releases oxygen produced by aquatic plants and algae contributes to increased dissolved oxygen levels.

How does organic matter affect dissolved oxygen levels?

The presence of organic material can consume oxygen as it decomposes, leading to lower DO levels.

What is the effect of pollution on dissolved oxygen concentrations?

Pollutants like sewage and agricultural runoff introduce organic matter that consumes oxygen, reducing DO levels.

How does altitude affect dissolved oxygen absorption in water?

Lower barometric pressure at higher elevations reduces the ability of water to absorb dissolved oxygen.

What is the relationship between chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen?

Chlorophyll can indicate algal blooms, which initially increase DO due to photosynthesis, but later decrease as dead algae consume oxygen.

What is the importance of consistent sampling for dissolved oxygen in the field?

Consistent sampling is crucial for accurately assessing dissolved oxygen changes throughout the day and across different depths.

How does temperature relate to water chemistry?

It affects water column stability, dissolved oxygen levels, and the rate of chemical reactions.

What is a watershed?

An area of land where all the water drains to a common waterbody.

Describe the East River in terms of water quality.

It is a tidal straight that connects the upper NY harbor with Long Island Sound and has 6 wastewater treatment plants and 139 combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

What is Long Island Sound (LIS)?

A tidal estuary divided into western, central, and eastern basins, with the Connecticut River supplying most freshwater to the central basin.

What factors influence water quality in the East River and LIS?

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), stormwater, tidal exchanges, and tributaries.

What are floatables in waterbodies?

Manmade materials like plastics and papers that can pollute water when improperly disposed of.

What are the main causes of waterbody impairment?

Floatables, dissolved oxygen issues, nitrogen levels, and pathogens.

What are pathogens?

Disease-producing agents such as bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can impair water quality.

What are common sources of pathogens in waterbodies?

Runoff from MS4 areas, illegal sewer connections, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

What are the effects of excess nutrients like nitrogen in waterbodies?

They can cause nuisance algae blooms, reducing water clarity and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels.

What are common sources of excess nutrients in water?

Lawn fertilizers, CSOs, wastewater treatment plant effluent, illicit sanitary waste discharges, and wildlife waste.

How do floatables enter waterbodies?

Through runoff, CSOs, and direct disposal into water.

What is the relationship between dissolved oxygen and water quality?

Dissolved oxygen levels are crucial for aquatic life and can be affected by temperature and nutrient levels.

What role do wastewater treatment plants play in water quality?

They treat sewage before it is released into waterbodies, helping to reduce pollutants.

What is the significance of monitoring water quality parameters?

It helps assess the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of water for human use.

Water Quality Parameters

Dissolved oxygen, pH, Temperature, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Salinity, and Turdbidity

Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality guideline

< 5 mg/L --> stressful; for aerobic organisms

< 3 mg/L --> hypoxic; increased mortality risk

= 0.2 mg/L --> anoxic; lethal to most organisms

Recommended minimum: Above 4.8 mg/L (NYS guidelines)

pH water quality guideline

Acceptable range: 6.5 - 8.5

pH of coastal waters tends to have….

lower pH due to natural buffering & biological activity

Temperature guidelines

winter: 2 C, Summer: 22 C

Biological Oxygen demand (BOD) Guideline

unpolluted, natural water < 5

Raw sewage, 150 - 300

wastewater treatment effluent 8 - 150

Higher BOD indicates

organic pollution (i.e. sewage, dead phytoplankton)

Bacterial Sewage Indicators

E.coli --> Freshwater

Enterococci --> marine water

Bacterial Sewage Indicators guidelines

Coastal recreation classes SA & SB:

Geometric mean over 30 days is greater than or equal to 35 cfu/ 100 ml or mpn

Salinity Guidelines

East river / Western LIS: 25 - 28 ppt

Eastern LIS: 35 ppt

Turbidity & water clarity guidelines

0 to 30 NTU

Effects of high turbidity

Reduces light penetration --> less photosynthesis

Raises water temperature --> lowers DO

Turbidity caused by

sediment resuspension, plankton blooms, CSO (combined sewage overflow)

Definition: Dissolved oxygen demand

refers to the amount of oxygen required to break down organic and inorganic substances in water

Definition: Biological oxygen demand

measures the oxygen consumed by aerobic microorganisms as they decompose organic matter over a set period of time

Definition: pH

a figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a logarithmic scale, 7 is neutral, 1-6 is acidic, 8-14 is basic.

Definition: Salinity

the measure of dissolved salts in water

Definition: Chlorophyll

the molecule that absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesize carbohydrates from CO2 and water

Definition: Photosynthesis

A process in which light, energy, water and carbon dioxide are used to create glucose for energy.

What is a watershed?

an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.

What is a sewer shed?

is the geographic area where all the wastewater and stormwater flows through a network of pipes to a single wastewater treatment facility or discharge point

What is a combined sewage overflow?

both wastewater & storm water flow through the same pipes

What happens when a combined sewage overflow is overwhelmed?

permitted outflows are located throughout the system to act as relief points, discharging untreated water Durning wet weather when the system is overwhelmed

Definition: Wastewater

mixture of used water & waste

Definition: stormwater

rain and melting snow that falls on rooftops, streets and sidewalks

Definition: Separate storm water system

40% NYC separate pipes carry wastewater to wastewater treatment plant and stormwater directly to coastal waterways

Definition: Direct Drainage

runoff that is discharged directly to waters entering or passing through MS$

What is a tidal straight?

are characteristics of narrow marine passageways constricted between emerged or shallowly submerged landmasses

What is a tidal estuary?

estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Brackish water, mixture of freshwater draining from land and salty sea water

O'Mullan: Why choose enterococcus? What assumptions are made?

Indicator for fecal bacteria/sewage in waters with the assumption that there would be no FIB in pristine waters, allowing it to be used as an indicator Picture of inputs that have just occurred Found in human fecal material (FIB), assumed to rarely be found in clean waters, limited persistence and indicate recent inputs

O'Mullan: Why are the assumptions problematic?

The common FIB can be found from agricultural runoff, stormwater or wildlife within those waters.

***Enterococcus can come from other animal sources

O'Mullan: Describe what is meant by extra enteric ecology? How can it impact FIB?

outside of the animal's body/ our bodies, behavior in the environment

O'Mullan: What do water quality monitoring programs rely on primarily, why is this an issue?

Water quality monitoring only relies on monitoring water, but there can possibly be flux from sed to water column, that you're missing the actual concentration, can look safe but the sediment might show that it isn't safe

O'Mullan: Why use other fecal taxa?

If we use other fecal taxa, we can verify the presence of the fecal bacteria.

By using other FT besides enteroccocus

To help verify microbial sewage inouts in sediments, verify relationship between FIB and FT

O'Mullan: What are the specific goals of this study?

Find a connection between FIB and sediment.

Use DNA sequencing to confirm presence of FIB, assess whether they are associated in the sediment with other FB

To determine if sediment resuspension influences FIB levels in shallow water

Examine distribution of FIB between water and sediments, use DNA to determine which specific bacteria are present, test whether sediment resuspension contributes FIB to water column

O'Mullan: Why are sediment FIB higher than water column FIB?

Bacteria settle to particles that are already in the water.

OM that is associated with CSOs, providing food for bacteria t thrive.

Low light low temp preserve OM the most, allowing bacteria to thrive.

FIB is particle associated which promotes settling Sediment FIB concentration increased proximity to sewage outfalls Turbulence related to tides, wind and waves, can cause sediment resuspension Important determinant of water quality.

Relationship: Photosynthesis, DO, CO2, & pH

As photosynthesis increases, Dissolved Oxygen increases, CO2 decreases, and pH increases

Relationship: Respiration, DO, CO2 & pH

As Respiration increases, Dissolved oxygen decreases, CO2 increases and pH decreases

Relationship: CSO inputs, fecal matter, respiration & DO

As CSO inputs increase, fecal matter will increase in addition to organic matter will increase causing respiration to increase and DO to decrease