Nutrient and particle load estimates to Lake Tahoe (CA-NV, USA) for total maximum daily load establishment

Sahoo, GB; Nover, DM; Reuter, JE; Heyvaert, AC; Riverson, J; Schladow, SG

HERO ID

2556090

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23314069

HERO ID 2556090
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Nutrient and particle load estimates to Lake Tahoe (CA-NV, USA) for total maximum daily load establishment
Authors Sahoo, GB; Nover, DM; Reuter, JE; Heyvaert, AC; Riverson, J; Schladow, SG
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Volume 444
Page Numbers 579-590
Abstract The Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requires detailed methodologies to identify sources of flows and pollutants (particles and nutrients) for estimating time-variant loads as input data for the Lake Tahoe clarity model. Based on field data and a modeling study, the major sources of pollutant loads include streams (three subdivisions of this category are urban, nonurban, and stream channel erosion), intervening zones (IZs) (two subdivisions of this category are urban and nonurban), atmosphere (wet and dry), groundwater and shoreline erosion. As Lake Tahoe remains well oxygenated year-round, the contribution of internal loading from the bottom sediments was considered minor. A comprehensive quantitative estimate for fine particle number (< 16 μm diameter) and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loading is presented. Uncertainties in the estimation of fine particle numbers and nutrients for different sources are discussed. Biologically available phosphorus and nitrogen were also evaluated. Urban runoff accounted for 67% of the total fine particle load for all sources making it the most significant contributor although total urban runoff was only 6%. Non-urban flows accounted for 94% of total upland runoff, but the nitrogen, phosphorus and fine sediment loadings were 18%, 47% and 12%, respectively of the total loadings. Atmospheric nitrogen, phosphorus, and fine particle loadings were approximately 57%, 20%, and 16%, respectively of the total loading. Among streams and IZs, IZ 8000, Upper Truckee River, Trout Creek, Blackwood Creek, and Ward Creek are the top fine particle, nitrogen and phosphorus contributors. The relative percentage contribution of inorganic fine particles from all sources based on annual average for the period 1994-2008 on size classes 0.5-1, 1-2, 2-4, 4-8, and 8-16 μm are 73%, 19%, 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. These results suggest clear priorities for resource managers to establish TMDL on sources and incoming pollutants and preserving lake clarity.
Doi 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.019
Pmid 23314069
Wosid WOS:000316240200063
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Total maximum daily load; Lake transparency; Nutrients load; Fine sediment load
Is Peer Review Yes