Record-High Specific Conductance and Water Temperature in San Francisco Bay during Water Year 2015

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | February 22nd, 2017

The San Francisco estuary is commonly defined to include San Francisco Bay (bay) and the adjacent Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta (delta). The U.S. Geological Survey

The San Francisco estuary is commonly defined to include San Francisco Bay (bay) and the adjacent Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta (delta). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated a high-frequency (15-minute sampling interval) water-quality monitoring network in San Francisco Bay since the late 1980s (Buchanan and others, 2014). This network includes 19 stations at which sustained measurements have been made in the bay; currently, 8 stations are in operation (fig. 1). All eight stations are equipped with specific conductance (which can be related to salinity) and water-temperature sensors. Water quality in the bay constantly changes as ocean tides force seawater in and out of the bay, and river inflows—the most significant coming from the delta—vary on time scales ranging from those associated with storms to multiyear droughts. This monitoring network was designed to observe and characterize some of these changes in the bay across space and over time. The data demonstrate a high degree of variability in both specific conductance and temperature at time scales from tidal to annual and also reveal longer-term changes that are likely to influence overall environmental health in the bay. In water year (WY) 2015 (October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015), as in the preceding water year (Downing-Kunz and others, 2015), the high-frequency measurements revealed record-high values of specific conductance and water temperature at several stations during a period of reduced freshwater inflow from the delta and other tributaries because of persistent, severe drought conditions in California. This report briefly summarizes observations for WY 2015 and compares them to previous years that had different levels of freshwater inflow.

Record-Setting Ocean Warmth Continued in 2019

Advances in Atmospheric Sciences (Springer) | February 1st, 2020

Human-emitted greenhouse gases (GHGs) have resulted in a long-term and unequivocal warming of the planet (IPCC, 2019). More than 90% of the excess heat is stored within

Human-emitted greenhouse gases (GHGs) have resulted in a long-term and unequivocal warming of the planet (IPCC, 2019). More than 90% of the excess heat is stored within the world’s oceans, where it accumulates and causes increases in ocean temperature (Rhein et al., 2013; Abram et al., 2019). Because the oceans are the main repository of the Earth’s energy imbalance, measuring ocean heat content (OHC) is one of the best ways to quantify the rate of global warming (Trenberth et al., 2016; Von Schuckmann et al., 2016; Cheng et al., 2018). Following reports released in the previous two years (Cheng and Zhu, 2018; Cheng et al., 2019c), this article presents new OHC data for the year 2019. These data reveal that the world’s oceans (especially the upper 2000 m) in 2019 were the warmest in recorded human history. Specifically, the ocean heat anomaly (0−2000 m) in 2019 was 228 Zetta Joules (ZJ, 1 ZJ=1021 Joules) above the 1981−2010 average and 25 ZJ above 2018 (Table 1). The OHC values (for the upper 2000 m) were obtained from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) ocean analysis (see “Data and methods” section, below), which uses a relatively new method to treat data sparseness and updates in the instruments that have been used to measure ocean temperature (Cheng et al., 2017). The evolution of OHC (Fig. 1) shows that the upper 2000 m OHC in 2019 was 228 ± 9 ZJ above the 1981–2010 average. The record-setting ocean warmth is also found in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Center for Environmental Information (NOAA/NCEI) data, showing 217± 4 ZJ in 2019 above the 1981−2010 average (21 ZJ above 2018) (Table 1) (updated from Levitus et al. 2012). With these newly available IAP data, a ranking of the warmest years since the 1950s is now possible (Table 1). The past five years are the top five warmest years in the ocean historically with modern instruments, and the past ten years are also the top ten years on record. The same ranking also applies to NOAA/NCEI data (Table 1).

Recycled Water Research Needs in California: Monitoring and Treatment Performance for Constituents of Emerging Concern

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | April 4th, 2017

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) held a workshop on October 27-28, 2015 in Costa Mesa focused on the state of the science, monitorin

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) held a workshop on October 27-28, 2015 in Costa Mesa focused on the state of the science, monitoring techniques, and water treatment reliability for constituents of emerging concern (CECs) in recycled water. The goal of the workshop was to help the State Water Board identify knowledge gaps to identify and prioritize CEC monitoring and treatment activities that will ensure water supplies from recycled water, including potable reuse, are protective of public health and the environment. The workshop included presentations from experts regarding monitoring and treatment performance for CECs, as well as breakout sessions intended to review and discuss the most important CEC research needs. At the conclusion of each day, a summary of recommendations based on the breakout discussions was developed by the participants. Below are general takeaway messages developed during the workshop. These messages reflect discussions at the workshop and are not intended to represent the views of all participants.

Reducing Methylmercury Accumulation in the Food Webs of San Francisco Bay and Its Local Watersheds

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | April 8th, 2014

San Francisco Bay (California, USA) and its local watersheds present an interesting case study in estuarine mercury (Hg) contamination. This review focuses on the most pr

San Francisco Bay (California, USA) and its local watersheds present an interesting case study in estuarine mercury (Hg) contamination. This review focuses on the most promising avenues for attempting to reduce methylmercury (MeHg) contamination in Bay Area aquatic food webs and identifying the scientific information that is most urgently needed to support these efforts.

Reduction of Nitrates in Groundwater – Agricultural Expert Panel Report

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | September 9th, 2014

Recommendations to the State Water Resources Control Board pertaining to the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program The Agricultural Expert Panel (Panel) was convened to a

Recommendations to the State Water Resources Control Board pertaining to the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program The Agricultural Expert Panel (Panel) was convened to address thirteen questions posed by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board). The questions were primarily technical in nature, and are abbreviated below. 1. How can risk to or vulnerability of groundwater best be determined in the context of a regulatory program such as the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP)? 2. Evaluate and develop recommendations for the current approaches taken to assessing risk to or vulnerability of groundwater. 3. How can risk to or vulnerability of surface water best be determined in the context of a regulatory program such as the ILRP? 4. Evaluate and develop recommendations for the current approaches taken to assessing risk to or vulnerability of surface water. 5. What management practices are expected to be implemented and under what circumstances for the control of nitrogen? 6. What management practices are recommended for consideration by growers when they are selecting practices to put in place for the control of nitrogen? 7. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the usage of various nitrogen management and accounting practices. 8. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most effective methods for ensuring growers have the knowledge required for effectively implementing recommended management practices. 9. What measurements can be used to verify that the implementations of management practices for nitrogen are as effective as possible? 10. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the usage of various verification measurements of nitrogen control. 11. Evaluate the relative merits, and make recommendations regarding the usage of, surface water measurement systems derived from either receiving water or a discharge monitoring approach to identify problem discharges. 12. Evaluate and make recommendations on how best to integrate the results of the Nitrogen Tracking and Reporting System Task Force with any above recommendation regarding management practices and verification measures. 13. Evaluate and make recommendations on the reporting requirements to report budgeting and recording of nitrogen application on a management block basis versus reporting aggregated numbers on a nitrate loading risk unit level.

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) Field Sampling Report 2016

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | June 1st, 2017

The Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is the primary source for long-term contaminant monitoring information for the Bay. The RMP

The Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is the primary source for long-term contaminant monitoring information for the Bay. The RMP is an innovative and collaborative effort among the scientific community, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), and the regulated discharger community. The Program was initiated by the Water Board as a pilot study in 1989 and has been collecting water, sediment, and bivalve tissue data since its official inception in 1993. Regular monitoring of sport fish tissue and bird eggs for toxic contaminants was incorporated into the Program in 1997 and 2006, respectively.

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay 2017 Detailed Workplan and Budget

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | November 1st, 2016

In 2017 the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is entering its 25th year of collecting data and communicating information to suppor

In 2017 the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) is entering its 25th year of collecting data and communicating information to support water quality management decisions. This Detailed Workplan and Budget describes the activities that will be completed in 2017 and their proposed funding levels.

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay Multi-Year Plan 2019 Annual Update

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | May 1st, 2019

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay, 2020 Detailed Workplan and Budget

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | December 1st, 2019

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) for Water Quality in the San Francisco Bay, Multi-Year Plan 2020 Annual Update

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | January 6th, 2020

In 1992 the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board passed Resolution No. 92-043 directing the Executive Officer to send a letter to regulated dischargers requiring the

In 1992 the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board passed Resolution No. 92-043 directing the Executive Officer to send a letter to regulated dischargers requiring them to implement a regional multi-media pollutant monitoring program for water quality (RMP) in San Francisco Bay. The Water Board’s regulatory authority to require such a program comes from California Water Code Sections 13267, 13383, 13268 and 13385. The Water Board offered to suspend some effluent and local receiving water monitoring requirements for individual discharges to provide cost savings to implement baseline portions of the RMP, although they recognized additional resources would be necessary. The Resolution also included a provision that the requirement for a RMP be included in discharger permits. The RMP began in 1993, and over ensuing years has been a successful and effective partnership of regulatory agencies and the regulated community.