HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session - 11-3-2014 - Changes in Biological Communitie11/10/2014
Changes in Biological Communities
Near the OCSD Outfall
Dr. Jeff Armstrong
Environmental Supervisor
Environmental Laboratory and
Ocean Monitoring -Division 890
Changes in Marine
Communities
Began in 2005-06 within
the initial mixing zone
• Increased in intensity
and in area overtime
• Rate of change
accelerated in 2008-09
• Fish community change
evident only at the
outfall
11/10/2014
NORTH
0 2.5 5
kilometers
• 55
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• 56 O c DegradedZ99
s so �
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057 061 029 *1�
5 •37
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• 63
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• 24
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• 40
Ocean Bottom Monitoring Stations *Affected Stations
Benthic Community Changes
Intaunal Trophic Index Benthic Response Index
1985.2004 2005-2010 198&2C04 2005-2010
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2
11/10/2014
Phase I Results
Secondary
60 - TMOnent
and Less
GWRS Began Chlorine
40
Infaunal
Trophic Outfal I
Index 20 Station 0
Disinfection8egaan
0 �y
�OJ �Oljb.�� "ss�•�O� 4e�9+�Oj4 Jfr��j3
12000000
9000000
6000000 Chlorine
(gal)
3000000
0
2050 �FE Flow
200 (MGD)
150 _
100 ,
Marine animal community
health decreased post -
effluent disinfection and
accelerated post-GWRS.
• Animals most affected were
those that are sensitive to
chlorinated compounds.
• Environmental changes
highly correlated with use of
chlorine bleach and final
effluent flow rate.
3
11/10/2014
Phase II Results
1°
B
The outfall is strongly indicated as
B
the source
-0 4
a Z
I Ild
Final effluent is concentrated at low-
ccI
CON B 1 3 0 ZB 4 9 12
flow periods.
Ocean Bottom (ppb)
30
No significant acute or chronic
20
toxicity in RO reject, final effluent, or
10°
sediments.
T11 Fish Liver l(ppb) T21
Effluent disinfection with chlorine
bleach produces toxic by-products.
•
Fish collected at the outfall had
more liver pathologies than those
ftqNtal
from the reference site.
Fish Liver Tumor
Most Likely Causes
There are two likely causes of
the changes in invertebrate
communities near the outfall:
1. The use of hypochlorite bleach
for effluent disinfection:
a. Forming toxic disinfection by-
products
b. Residual chlorine discharge
2. The concentrating of the final
effluent at low -flow periods
which is likely decreasing
dilution in the receiving water
and altering exposure to
animals near the outfall.
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2
11/10/2014
Impact of Orange County Sanitation
District Wastewater Disinfection on
Beach Water Quality
Prepared for Huntington Beach City Council
November 3rd, 2014
Presented By:
Dr. Samuel Choi
Orange County Sanitation District
Environmental Laboratory and Ocean Monitoring
5
11/10/2014
OCSD Core and Regional Monitoring Program
-
„a -
■Cora Surtzona Stations aa. =ao. z+w =+w a Y W
Reglonal5uftzone Stations au .+.. NMoao
21 coastal miles/38 stations
Enterococci
..
Talbert Marsh
20
■ Pre -disinfection (1999-July 2002)
■ Disinfection (August 2002-Current)
Q
16
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II
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,y;"'Newport
E
Beach
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O 12
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ss
vs
LL
C
39N 33N 27N 21N 15N 9N 6N 3N 0 35 65 95 155 215 275 295 395
Station
I
11/10/2014
Impact of Runoff on Huntington Beach
Dye Study in 2000
• 'Sticky coast' phenomenon
• Runoff from Talbert Marsh and Santa
Ana Rivers hugs coasts and travels
upcoast
OCSD's Runoff Diversion Program
• In 2000
• Past: 4 million gallons per day
• Current: 10 million gallons per day
7
11/10/2014
Summary
Our results support previous studies:
• Discharge from OCSD outfall does not impact beach water quality
• Disinfection has no benefit in improving beach water quality
OCSD continues to provide services beyond our charter:
• Expanded beach monitoring program
• OCHCA,OCPW,SOCWA
• Increased from 19 to 38 stations (>2000 additional samples annually)
• Accepting up to 10 MGD of runoff
• Actively participates in developing and validating advanced methods such as molecular
(DNA) methods
• Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)