LLN Presentation 16 April 2005 A

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Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Nutrients, Bacteria and Caffeine Jean-Francois Bouffard, B.I.T. Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd. April 16, 2005

Introduction: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Stream Study LEPA AAFRD (Sarah Depoe) AAFC-PFRA (Jason Vanrobaeys) Caffeine LEPA and Aquality Bacteria LEPA, ARHA, and Aquality Introduction Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Methods: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Methods Stream survey 8 sites sampled during April 2004 During spring thaw (April 1st, 5th, 7th, 12th, and 20th) Parameters Nutrients, bacteria, ions, metals and pesticides (1 Site) Flow gauging Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

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Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Methods: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Methods Caffeine May 21 (composite sampling) 11 sites LLN – 3 bottles apiece 2 streams 2 beaches - Nakamun Sept 7 – Follow up on May sampling – in lake only Bacteria In lake samples taken with ARHA during May 11th sampling Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

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Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

Results: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Results: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Results: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Results: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Results: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Discussion: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Discussion Nutrients were highest in early April TP and TN exceeded ASWQ guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life in 100% of the samples NO2-N – 40% compliant E.Coli – 91% compliant Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Discussion: 

Discussion Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

AAWQI Index: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps AAWQI Index Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Discussion: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Discussion Typical of other Alberta Streams CAESA/AESA study 1996-2003 Lac la Nonne watershed considered to have moderate Ag intensity (Anderson, A-M, S.E.Cooke and N. MacAlpine. 1999) Other watersheds of similar Ag intensity produce similar results Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Discussion: 

Discussion Bacteria showed decreasing trend High counts at Site 1 and 3 indicate recent fecal contamination Trace exact source using Microbial Source Tracking techniques Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

Discussion: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Discussion Only 1 pesticide (2-4, D) was detected Extremely low levels Toxic to fish at much higher levels, minimal effect on humans Change timing of sample collection Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Discussion: 

Discussion The detection of caffeine in Lac la Nonne confirms that human sewage is entering the lake Possible sources include Older/leaky septic systems Illegal dumping/release of septage Improperly placed outhouses Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

The Next Step: 

The Next Step Minimize runoff Preserving riparian areas Restore wetlands Accurate nutrient budget Debate over sources of nutrients 57% from cleared lands (Mitchell and Prepas, 1991) Uncertain other sources Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

The Next Step: 

The Next Step Investigation into sources of human sewage Septic tank inspections Continue monitoring as a deterrent Probably the easiest source of nutrients to control Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

The Next Step: 

The Next Step Complete and thorough State of the Watershed Report Moose Lake, Lac la Biche, etc. Watershed Management Plan under Alberta Water Act Continue education and outreach Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

Acknowledgements: 

Acknowledgements LEPA and the volunteers who made all the sampling happen Jason Vanrobaeys – PFRA Sarah Depoe – AAFRD Jay White - Aquality Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps

Thanks!: 

Introduction Methods Results Discussion The Next Steps Thanks! Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Prediction: 

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The Next Steps Prediction Avg daily urine prod =1.4L Avg urine caffeine conc = 1500 µg/L Adult urine caffeine production = 2100 µg Avg urination freq = 5x daily Volume of flush = 9.8 L= 49 L/Day Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Prediction: 

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The Next Steps Prediction Adult caffeine produced per day Total amount of water = 2100 µg caffeine 50.4 L = = 42 µg/L (Predicted) Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Prediction: 

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The Next Steps Prediction Detection level = 0.02 µg/L Predicted conc. = 42 µg/L Possible to detect caffeine diluted up to 2100 times! Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004

Fecal Contamination Issues: 

Fecal Contamination Issues Human and animal feces contain high levels of nutrients Nutrients limited in aquatic systems Phosphorus Nitrogen Contains several pathogens which can be fatal to humans and others (contact or ingestion)

Effect of Excess Phosphorus: 

Effect of Excess Phosphorus Primary Impacts Excessive macrophyte growth Algal blooms Negative impact on livestock

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Fecal contamination is a public health risk Drinking water contamination, contact recreation, harvest of irrigated foods ‘Water contaminated with human feces are generally regarded as a greater risk to human health, as they are more likely to contain human-specific enteric pathogens’ T. Scott et al. 2002

Sources of Fecal Contamination: 

Sources of Fecal Contamination Residential sources Lakeside cottages/subdivisions Leaky septic systems Rogue dumping Improper outhouse placement Urban effluent

Sources of Fecal Contamination: 

Sources of Fecal Contamination Agricultural sources Feedlots In-situ watering by cattle Manure application practices (timing, amount)

Sources of Fecal Contamination: 

Sources of Fecal Contamination Wildlife sources Bear, elk, deer, birds, etc.

What is BST?: 

What is BST? Using DNA fingerprinting to identify sources of microbial contamination in surface water. Term coined in 2002 by Hagedorn and Wiggins

What is BST?: 

What is BST? Methods fall into 3 categories: molecular, biochemical and chemical No standard method developed Emerging area of research and technology development, particularly for drinking water

How does it work?: 

How does it work? Fecal bacteria are uniquely adapted to the host animal in which they live Using DNA analysis techniques we can identify these markers in fecal bacteria

How it is Done: 

How it is Done Samples collected around the watershed Fecal bacteria are cultured and analyzed in lab Compared to pre-existing database

Identifying Sources of Contamination: 

Identifying Sources of Contamination Pinpoint by taking samples at suspected sources Analyzed New genetic markers added to project database

Dealing with Suspected Sources of Contamination: 

Collect samples from location downstream of suspected contamination source Results compared to samples in database Dealing with Suspected Sources of Contamination

Advantages: 

Advantages This technique has a much greater power of resolution compared to previous methods No longer tracking an analog of fecal contamination Allows us to create mitigation plans based on better knowledge

Canadian Examples: 

Canadian Examples Research at the University of Victoria (Maeys and Mazumder, 2004) Elbow River study: ruminants and humans (Sosiak and Dixon, 2004) Aquality to provide as a commercial service (Spring, 2005)

Further Study: 

Further Study More comparative studies to determine best method for watershed studies Field protocol: timing, number of samples collected, number of isolates identified, location and number of sites Need to optimize analytical and statistical methods to minimize sources of error

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Lac la Nonne Water Quality Report 2004 Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The Next Steps