San Francisco Bay

Mercury Contamination from Historical Gold Mining in California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | October 31st, 2005

Mercury in Every Mix

CALFED | May 1st, 2005

Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms: Biological responses to ocean acidification

Ecology Letters (Wiley) | August 16th, 2010

Ocean acidification is a pervasive stressor that could affect many marine organisms and cause profound ecological shifts. A variety of biological responses to ocean acid

Ocean acidification is a pervasive stressor that could affect many marine organisms and cause profound ecological shifts. A variety of biological responses to ocean acidification have been measured across a range of taxa, but this information exists as case studies and has not been synthesized into meaningful comparisons amongst response variables and functional groups. We used meta-analytic techniques to explore the biological responses to ocean acidification, and found negative effects on survival, calcification, growth and reproduction. However, there was significant variation in the sensitivity of marine organisms. Calcifying organisms generally exhibited larger negative responses than non-calcifying organisms across numerous response variables, with the exception ofcrustaceans, which calcify but were not negatively affected. Calcification responses varied significantly amongst organisms using different mineral forms of calcium carbonate.Organisms using one of the more soluble forms of calcium carbonate (high-magnesium calcite) can be more resilient to ocean acidification than less soluble forms (calcite and aragonite). Additionally, there was variation in the sensitivities of different developmental stages, but this variation was dependent on the taxonomic group. Our analyses suggest that the biological effects of ocean acidification are generally large and negative, but the variation in sensitivity amongst organisms has important implications for ecosystem responses.

Meteorological and geographical factors associated with dry lightning in central and northern California

Environmental Research: Climate (IOP) | August 8th, 2022

Lightning occurring with less than 2.5 mm of rainfall—typically referred to as ‘dry lightning’—is a major source of wildfire ignition in central and northern Cali

Lightning occurring with less than 2.5 mm of rainfall—typically referred to as ‘dry lightning’—is a major source of wildfire ignition in central and northern California. Despite being rare, dry lightning outbreaks have resulted in destructive fires in this region due to the intersection of dense, dry vegetation and a large population living adjacent to fire-prone lands. Since thunderstorms are much less common in this region relative to the interior West, the climatology and drivers of dry lightning have not been widely investigated in central and northern California. Using daily gridded lightning and precipitation observations (1987–2020) in combination with atmospheric reanalyses, we characterize the climatology of dry lightning and the associated meteorological conditions during the warm season (May–October) when wildfire risk is highest. Across the domain, nearly half (∼46%) of all cloud-to-ground lightning flashes occurred as dry lightning during the study period. We find that higher elevations (>2000 m) receive more dry lightning compared to lower elevations (

Methodology for Flow and Salinity Estimates in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 15th, 2022

This is the 43rd annual progress report of the California Department of Water Resources’ San Francisco Bay-Delta Evaluation Program, which is carried out by the Delta M

This is the 43rd annual progress report of the California Department of Water Resources’ San Francisco Bay-Delta Evaluation Program, which is carried out by the Delta Modeling Section. This report is submitted annually to the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to its Water Right Decision D-1485, Term 9, which is still active pursuant to its Water Right Decision D-1641, Term 8. This report documents progress in the development and enhancement of computer models for the Delta Modeling Section of the Bay-Delta Office. It also reports the latest findings of studies conducted as part of the program. This report was compiled under the direction of Nicky Sandhu, Program Manager for the Bay-Delta Evaluation Program.

Methodology for Flow and Salinity Estimates in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | June 1st, 2017

This is the 38th annual progress report of the California Department of Water Resources’ San Francisco Bay-Delta Evaluation Program, which is carried out by t

This is the 38th annual progress report of the California Department of Water Resources’ San Francisco Bay-Delta Evaluation Program, which is carried out by the Delta Modeling Section. This report is submitted annually by the section to the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to its Water Right Decision D-1485, Term 9, which is still active pursuant to its Water Right Decision D-1641, Term 8. This report documents progress in the development and enhancement of computer models for the Delta Modeling Section of the Bay-Delta Office. It also reports the latest findings of studies conducted as part of the program. This report was compiled under the direction of Tara Smith, Program Manager for the Bay-Delta Evaluation Program.

Methodology for Flow and Salinity Estimates in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 1st, 2019

Various water resource management actions have been planned to protect and restore salmon populations for a healthy Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) ecosystem. Curren

Various water resource management actions have been planned to protect and restore salmon populations for a healthy Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) ecosystem. Currently, evaluating the effectiveness of these actions relies on field studies and/or expert opinion. Field studies can be costly and may not provide a comprehensive assessment for a range of applications because of limited study areas, durations, and river conditions. Expert opinion, although valuable, may under- or over-emphasize the importance of certain project components.  To supplement field studies and provide a quantitative assessment tool, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), developed an ecological modeling tool, ECO-PTM. ECO-PTM is an individual-based juvenile salmon migration model that is based on a random-walk particle-tracking method with fish-like behaviors attached to the particles. The behavioral parameters are estimated from acoustic telemetry tag data of juvenile late-fall Chinook salmon (Tag Data) from various field studies (Perry et al. 2018). A stochastic optimization tool, Particle Swarm Optimization, is used to calibrate the swimming behavior parameters. ECO-PTM can simulate juvenile salmonid migration timing, routing, and survival.  This chapter describes ECO-PTM and its behavioral modules, and the model performance and applications to assist water resource management planning, assessment, and decision-making related to juvenile salmonid survival outcomes. 

Methods Used to Update Ecosystem Restoration Maps Using New Digital Elevation Model and Tidal Data

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | June 29th, 2022

Microparticles, Microplastics, and PAHs in Bivalves in San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | November 15th, 2019

Microplastic Contamination in San Francisco Bay - Fact Sheet

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | November 2nd, 2015