Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Water Quality in South Puget Sound: A Management Perspective Tali Engoltz CIG Research Presentation June 4, 2002
Dec 22, 2015
Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Water Quality in
South Puget Sound:A Management Perspective
Tali EngoltzCIG Research Presentation
June 4, 2002
Goals
2. Explore what is known about climate effects on estuarine processes.
3. Research the implications of regional climate variability on water quality in South Puget Sound.
Goals
3. Relate the results to the perceptions of water resources managers regarding climate variability and its implications for management.
4. Suggest topics for further research on the potential effects of a variable and changing climate on the interactions between estuaries and watersheds
Study Site South Puget Sound is
defined as the waters south of the Narrows near Tacoma, WA. This study concentrated on Budd Inlet and the Deschutes and Kitsap watersheds.
Methods Literature Search and Synthesis
To review current and historical research on the impacts of climate variability and change on coastal systems
South Puget Sound Area Synthesis Model (SPASM): A computer model developed by the WA DOE To model watershed inputs and estuarine responses under a
number of climate scenarios Elite Interviewing
To understand the perspectives of water resource managers on the use of climate information in management
Results: Literature Review Impacts will vary regionally and could include:
1. Impaired water quality and quantity2. Altered biotic community structures3. Reduced runoff and groundwater recharge4. Changes in the timing of low/high stream flows5. Increased sediment and nutrient loads6. Changes in estuarine salinity7. Fewer socioeconomic benefits: fishing, recreation…
Results: SPASMThe effect of negative 1 std.dev. perturbation on Salinity
at Inner West Bay
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Oct
-96
Nov
-96
Dec
-96
Jan-
97
Feb
-97
Mar
-97
Apr
-97
May
-97
Jun-
97
Jul-9
7
Aug
-97
Sep
-97
Oct
-97
Date
Sal
init
y (p
su)
NB-NT
NS-NT
NB-NA
NS-NA
NB-NSA
NS-NSA
NB-NSU
NS-NSU
NB-NQ
NS-NQ
NB-NN
NS-NN
Results: SPASMThe effect of positive1 std.dev. perturbation on DO
at Inner West Bay
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Oct
-96
Nov
-96
Dec
-96
Jan-
97
Feb
-97
Mar
-97
Apr
-97
May
-97
Jun-
97
Jul-9
7
Aug
-97
Sep
-97
Oct
-97
Date
DO
(m
g/l
)
NB-PT
NS-PT
NB-PA
NS-PA
NB-PSA
NS-PSA
NB-PSU
NS-PSU
NB-PQ
NS-PQ
NB-PN
NS-PN
The four output parameters showed sensitivity to altered climate-related parameters as follows:
Salinity: Sensitive to changes in riverflow, sunlight, and ocean boundary salinity;
Water Temperature: Sensitive to changes in ocean boundary temperature and sometimes to sunlight;
DO: Sensitive to changes in sunlight, DIN inputs, and ocean boundary temperature conditions; and
Chl a: Sensitive to changes in sunlight, riverflow, and DIN inputs.
Results: Elite Interviews
Fifteen interviews conducted Agencies represented included:
WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and WA Dept. of EcologyPSWQATTaylor Shellfish, Inc.Thurston and Kitsap CountiesCity of BremertonTribes
What parameters lead to water quality impairment in South Puget Sound?
Variable ResponsesFecal Coliform 10Nutients 9Other Biological Contaminants/Pathogens 7Sediment 6Metals and other Toxins 6Temperature 5Dissolved Oxygen 5Algae 2Flow (High and low) 2pH 1
Which climate variables are likely to affect water quality in South Puget Sound and surrounding waters?
Variable ResponsesPrecipitation 12Water Temperature 5Wind/Circulation 4Sunlight 4Air Temperature 3
What are your sources of information about climate variability and change?
Source Responses Newspaper/ Magazine 9 Co-worker/ Network contacts 6 Peer reviewed Literature 5 Websites 4 Conferences attended 4 Agency Papers 3 Contact with CIG or other scientists 2 National Public Radio 1
All 15 respondents felt that there IS a role for climate information in water resource management.
This is what they would want to know:
Explanations of cycles in weather patterns 7Increased accuracy of predications 6Biological reactions 5Understanding of past trends 3Potential extreme conditions (Worst case scenerios) 3Anthropogenic impacts vs. climate induced impacts 3Interactions with storm/surface/ground water 3Understanding of risks associated with storms, floods, droughts 2Greater understanding of trophic/climate interactions 2
Acknowledgements JISAO/SMA Climate Impacts Group
Funding Scientific support
WA State Department of Ecology SPASM use and results
Specifically: Professor David Fluharty, SMA Doug Canning, WADOE; Warren Wooster, SMA Skip Albertson, WADOE Jan Newton, WADOE and School of Oceanography Kurt Heintz, School of Oceanography