Agricultural Run-off Bioswale Project

Research Team

Jake Constans, Jonah Horn, Bobby

Nuvolini

In conjunction with

Eutrophication in review: causes and effects.

Aquatic Chemistry of Eutrophication

• Phosphorus and nitrogen are limiting nutrients for algal growth in bodies of water, therefore when in greater abundance of their soluble forms, they stimulate excessive algal growth.

Process of Eutrophication

• 1. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels rapidly stimulate algae growth.

• 2. Algae grows far past the point that can be consumed by other organisms and natural processes.

• 3. Excess abundance of algae sucks up available oxygen in water as they decompose, which could be otherwise utilized by other fish and organisms.

Phosphorus as a major contributor • In order to test specific causes

eutrophication, scientists used a curtain to separate two sides of a Canadian lake. Nitrogen and carbon were added to both sides while phosphorus was added to only one side. A large algal bloom and consequent eutrophication can be seen on the side where carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were added.

• large-scale experiment called the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA).

• Study can be seen on http://www.lakescientist.com/learn-about-lakes/water-quality/eutrophication.html

Effects on Fish and Aquatic Organisms

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone

• Largest dead-zone of the world in 2007 at 7,903 square miles.

• Due to large influx of nitrogen and high flows from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers.

• A NOAA supported study done by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and LSU predicted the dead-zone could reach a record 8,800 miles in 2008.

Local Issues

• Study done by OSU scientists

• Hypoxia: really low oxygen levels that cannot support most fish and other species

• Since 2002, hypoxia has occurred every summer off of Oregon coast.

• Map shows data from 2006 and 2007

Effects on the O2 levels in waters off Oregon Coast

Normal hypoxia area Hypoxia area since 2002

What is causing excess Eutrophication?

• Main sources for excess nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds: commercial agriculture and farming.

Run-off Diagram

Factory Farming

• Excessive amounts of nitrogen from animal feces leeches into groundwater and streams.

• Considered a non-point source pollution, which is unregulated.

Commercial Crops

• Traditional fertilizing methods • In the U.S. alone over

20,000,000 nutrient tons of fertilizer is used each year

• Less sustainable practice economically

• Fast nutrient release, leeches into groundwater and streams, depletes soil quality over time

• Major contributor to the nations “dust bowls” of the 20th century

• 0.7% of U.S. crops are certified organic

Fertilizer Chemical Makeup

• Nitrogen

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Other nutrients

Non-point source Pollution

• Unregulated, lobbyist driven

• Hard to point the finger at polluters

Bioremediation Systems

• Bioswales: used as natural filtration, pollutant and sediment capture before reaching streams and rivers.

• Buffer Zones: riparian areas along streams, native vegetation. Regulate nutrient, pollutant, pH, and temperature effects run-off has on watersheds.

Bioswale Site

Sherwood, Oregon

Water Testing

• We will be taking water samples over the course of roughly 3 years.

• 1st year samples = prior to construction • 2nd year samples = after construction • 3rd year samples = after vegetation has been more

established

Source: dukefarms.org

Scirpus validus (Soft-stem Bulrush)

Source: Oak Ridge National Library

www.esd.ornl.gov

Scirpus microcarpus (Small-fruited Bulrush)

Source: calphotos.berkeley.edu Matt Below (2008)

Channel Vegetation

“Bulrushes are very tolerant of high nutrient levels.” (OregonDEQ)

Side Slope

Cornus stolonifera (Redosier Dogwood)

Salix scouleriana (Scouler Willow)

Source: quizlet.com & Van-vliet.org

Source: quizlet.com & Van-vliet.org

Special Thanks to:

● Portland State University's Institute for Sustainable

Solutions

● Angela Hamilton

● Dr Heejun Chang

● Jim Baggenstos

● Jered Kinnear

● Cam Jones of OSU's CCAL

● Tualatin River Watershed Council

● Willamette Partnership

● Clean Water Services

References • NOAA Predicts Largest Gulf of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’ On Record. • ScienceDaily (July 16,2008) • http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715114149.htm • Eutrophication • Jeremy Mack, Miami University. • http://www.lakescientist.com/learn-about-lakes/water-quality/eutrophication.html • Dead Zones: Webcast • National Science Foundation • http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/deadzones/webcast.jsp • New Ways of Taking Pulse of Oregon’s “Dead Zones” • National Science Foundation • http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/deadzones/glider.jsp • USDA Economic Research Service • United States Department of Agriculture • http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/organic-production.aspx • USDA Economic Research Service • United States Department of Agriculture • http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fertilizer-use-and-price.aspx

• Willamette Partnership Eco-crediting Protocol • Willamette Partnership • http://www.willamettepartnership.org

The End