This is the fourth regional survey of the continental shelf of the Southern California Bight since 1994. The data include metadata, sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, infaunal biomass and abundance, and trawl fish and invertebrate data.
Storm water runoff and the associated contaminants from urban areas is one of the leading sources of water quality degradation in surface waters. Runoff from pervious and impervious areas (i.e., streets, parking lots, lawns, golf courses and agricultural land) carries accumulated contaminants (i.e., atmospheric dust, trace metals, street dirt, hydrocarbons, fertilizers and pesticides) directly into receiving waters. Because of the environmental effects of these contaminants, effective storm water monitoring and management requires identification and characterization of the sources, patterns, and mechanisms that influence pollutant concentrations and loads. To investigate these issues, the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) conducted a storm water sampling program over five seasons (2000-01 through 2004-2005).
The Natural Loadings Study evaluated properties of stream reaches in natural catchments throughout southern California. Scientists and managers can use these data to provide information on water quality in streams that drain undeveloped areas. Surface water quality data from 22 natural open-space sites spread across southern California's coastal watersheds were compiled. Sites were selected to represent a range of conditions and were located across six counties and twelve different watersheds: the Arroyo Sequit, Los Angeles River, San Gabriel River, Malibu Creek, San Mateo Creek, San Juan Creek, Santa Ana River, San Luis Rey River, Santa Clara River, Ventura River, and Calleguas Creek watersheds. Data were collected from each of the selected sampling sites during both dry weather and wet weather conditions. Three dry season sampling events were conducted in spring 2005, fall 2005, and spring 2006. A total of 30 storm sampling-events were conducted during two wet seasons between December 2004 and April 2006, with each site sampled during two or three storm events. At each survey location the flow and physical and biological parameters of the site, such as percent canopy cover, were documented. Water samples were collected and analyzed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), hardness, total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC, DOC), nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP) orthophosphate (OP), total metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, and zinc), and bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus). During dry weather, algal samples were also collected for chlorophyll a and algal percent cover analysis.
The database can be used to improve data analyses such as site-specific/watershed-specific assessments of natural background water quality. Because the sampling sites are representative of the major geologic and natural land cover settings of the region, they can also be used to estimate regional or watershed specific loading from natural areas or calibrate watershed models that account for rainfall runoff rates and antecedent dry conditions. Such models can be used to simulate water quality loading under a range of antecedent and rainfall conditions, thereby providing managers with additional tools for evaluation of background water quality conditions.
This database compiles information from many different sources. Although much effort has been made to control the quality of the data, errors may still be present. The user is advised to use caution and verify the results when using the database for applications having legal or regulatory consequences.
This is the third regional survey of the continental shelf of the Southern California Bight since 1994. The data include metadata, sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, infaunal biomass and abundance, and trawl fish and invertebrate data.
The purpose of the San Gabriel dry season sampling was to collect data on the dry-season flow and water quality inputs to the reaches of the San Gabriel River and major tributaries listed as impaired under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. The data was collected in September 2002 and September 2003 and provide a "snapshot" of the major constituent inputs to the system. They will be used to characterize dry season conditions and may be used for future development of a dry season hydrodynamic and water quality model for the San Gabriel River.
The California Sediment Quality Objectives Database was produced as part of the State Water Resources Control Board's effort to develop sediment quality objectives (SQOs) for enclosed bays and estuaries. Data from various California habitats, including bays, estuaries, and offshore areas were compiled and integrated into a relational database to support SQO development and verification activities. This database includes data from monitoring, dredging, and research studies conducted from 1980 to 2003, with the majority of the data collected from 1992 to 2003. The studies contain information on chemistry, toxicity, bioaccumulation, and benthic community condition, as well as associated metadata.
The database has been made available in an effort to improve data analyses for uses such as regional assessments of sediment quality, temporal analysis of environmental quality, and TMDL activities. A SQO database user guide has been created that describes the database structure and provide instructions for extracting information and adding new records.
This database compiles information from many different sources. Although much effort has been made to control the quality of the data, errors may still be present. The user is advised to use caution and verify the results when using the database for applications having legal or regulatory consequences.
Fifty stations were visited in San Francisco Bay. Samples included sediment grabs which yielded benthic infauna, sediment toxicity, and sediment chemistry data. Trawls were conducted at each station where fish and invertebrates were collected for community analysis. Additionally fish were collected for tissue chemistry analysis.
Eighty stations were visited statewide in California estuaries. Samples included sediment grabs which yielded benthic infauna, sediment toxicity, and sediment chemistry. Trawls were conducted at each station where fish and invertebrates were collected for community analysis. Additionally, fish were collected for tissue chemistry analysis.
Starting in January 1999, four types of data were collected in order to study regional air quality in the Santa Monica Bay watershed: atmospheric concentrations of aerosol-associated toxic contaminants, wet and dry deposition rates of toxic contaminants, bulk and surface microlayer concentrations of toxic contaminants, and toxic contaminant source emission inventories.
This survey was conducted on the continental shelf of the Southern California Bight in 1998. The data include metadata, sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, biomarker, infaunal biomass and abundance, and trawl fish and invertebrate data.
A 261-site survey conducted on the continental shelf of the Southern California Bight between Point Conception and the US-Mexico border. The data include metadata, sediment chemistry, infaunal biomass and abundance, and trawl fish and invertebrate data collected for each time period.
Seven of the 13 sites sampled in the 1985 Reference Site Survey were re-sampled. At each area samples were taken at 30, 60, and 150 meters for a total of 20 stations. The data include metadata, infuanal abundance, infaunal biomass, and station data.
Thirteen cross-shelf transects were established at sites sampled in the 1977 60-Meter Survey. Samples were taken at 30, 60, and 150 meters for a total of 39 stations. The data include metadata, infaunal abundance, infaunal biomass, and station data.
Benthic grab samples were taken from 71 stations distributed at approximately 10-kilometer intervals between Point Conception and the US-Mexico Border. In certain areas near the major municipal wastewater outfalls, stations were more closely spaced to delineate the expected outfall effects. The data include metadata, infaunal abundance, infaunal biomass, and station data.