Environmental Education (EE)

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NNEMS Project 2010-309

Category:
Environmental Science

Preferred Project Period:
5/10/10 - 5/10/12

Desired Education Level(s):

• Junior
• Senior

Project Title:
Effects of Watershed Restoration on Nitrogen and Phosphorous in a Stream Impacted by Legacy Sediments

Sponsoring Office:
Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

Project Overview:
Excess sediments and anthropogenic nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P), are leading causes of water quality impairment in streams and wetlands throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. Legacy sediments, deposited as a function of historical mill dam construction, may contribute significantly to the sediment and nutrient load of streams and estuaries, including the Chesapeake Bay. Removing legacy sediments may be a cost-effective, sustainable means to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution in watersheds. Therefore, identifying best management practices (BMP) for streams and wetlands to mitigate the impacts of legacy sediments is important. Stream restoration to remove legacy sediment may represent an important nutrient management tool. The fellow will take a field-based research approach to assessing the efficacy of legacy sediment removal as a BMP for sediment and nitrogen control in a watershed. The fellow will use state-of-the-art geological and ecological methods, including isotope tracer techniques, to quantify the effects of restoration on surface water and ground water quality at a restored and unrestored control watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The fellow will conduct cutting-edge research into the ecology of urban streams and the effects of ecosystem restoration by examining watersheds before and after restoration to quantify stream flow, characterize stream geomorphology and sediment movement, monitor surface water and ground water chemistry, and measure ground water level and temperature. All monitoring will be conducted at high-resolution, daily and weekly temporal scales. The end date for this project is flexible.

Project Goals:
The fellow will accomplish the following specific goals: (1) assess ecosystem service benefits of restoration; (2) identify stream restoration methods that enhance nutrient control; and (3) develop predictive models of stream hydrology and nutrient mass balance.

Final Product of the Project:
The fellow will author peer-reviewed scientific journal articles that describe the efficacy of stream restoration as a BMP for phosphorous and nitrogen control.

Project Location:
EPA Region 3, Lancaster, PA

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Project Officer Information

Paul Mayer
Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

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Office Mission/Responsibility

The Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division conducts research and supplies technical assistance to provide the scientific basis to support development of strategies and technologies used to protect and restore ground water, surface water, and ecosystems affected by man-made and natural processes.

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