Research Areas > Nutrients > Identification of Nutrient Sources > Atmospheric Deposition > Atmospheric Nutrient Deposition

Project: Atmospheric Nutrient Deposition

Background and Objectives

The atmosphere is an often-ignored source of nutrients to coastal ecosystems, and the impact of atmospheric sources of nitrogen in coastal areas of southern California has not been quantified. The goal of this project is to quantify the contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus via atmospheric deposition to the coastal waters offshore of southern California. Atmospheric loading estimates will be combined with load estimates from other nutrient sources (including treated wastewater discharge, urban runoff, and natural sources such as upwelling) to establish a nutrient budget for the Southern California Bight. Better estimates of the contribution from atmospheric sources to nutrient levels in coastal waterbodies can be used to inform more effective water quality management priorities and actions.

Status

This project was initiated in 2008, with anticipated completion in 2012.

Methods

This research will quantify the contribution of the atmosphere to nutrient loading in the Southern California Bight as part of the offshore water quality study for Bight ’08. Atmospheric deposition will be measured under three types of conditions in order to capture the range of expected variability in nutrient flux rates: 1) wet deposition (during rain events), 2) dry deposition (quarterly sampling), and 3) dry deposition during a Santa Ana wind event. Deposition rates will be measured at three stations along the coast and one station based on Catalina Island. Wet deposition will be measured with rain water collectors. Dry deposition will be measured with a combination of active and passive samplers for air concentrations, and surrogate surface samplers for direct deposition measurements.

Partners

Collaborators include the Bight ’08 Water Quality participants.