Nutrient Status of San Francisco Bay and Its Management Implications

• DOI: 10.1007/s12237-020-00737-w
• Publication Date: 2020-04-15T16:03:31Z
• Authors: James E. Cloern; Tara S. Schraga; Erica Nejad; Charles Martin
• Keywords: Nutrient pollution; Nutrient Management; Fish kill; Hypoxia

Abstract Nutrient enrichment has degraded many of the world’s estuaries by amplifying algal production, leading to hypoxia/anoxia, loss vascular plants and fish/shellfish habitat, expansion harmful blooms (HABs). Policies protect coastal waters from effects nutrient require information determine if a water body is impaired nutrients regulatory actions are required. We compiled inform these decisions for San Francisco Bay (SFB), an urban estuary where best path toward management not yet clear. Our results show that SFB high loadings, primarily municipal wastewater; there potential but production fully realized; hypoxia or recurrent HABs. However, our assessment includes reasons concern: nitrogen phosphorus concentrations higher than those in other pollution, chronic presences multiple toxins, recent increase primary projected future hydroclimatic conditions could magnitude frequency blooms. Policymakers thus face challenge determining appropriate protective policy SFB. identify three crucial next steps meeting this challenge: (1) new research toxins can be reduced through management, (2) establish goals as numeric targets, (3) load reduction required meet targets. case study illustrates how scientific acquired communicated policymakers about status its risks, strategies minimizing risks.