Nonpoint source nutrient pollution: Science needs for Water Quality Monitoring

This presentation will review the latest research on inputs, budgets, effects, legacies and management related to non-point source nutrient pollution.  Using examples of nitrogen and phosphorus budgets at the national, regional and local scales, Jana Compton from EPA’s Pacific Ecological Systems Division in Corvallis will walk through examples about nutrient impacts, and lessons learned from managing nitrogen.  Her work focuses on analyzing data from EPA’s National Aquatic Resources Survey and National Nutrient Inventory to understand the impacts of land use and watershed processes on nutrients in streams and lakes across the US.  

Impact/Purpose

PESD’s Jana Compton was invited to present the kickoff talk in a panel on Nonpoint source pollution from agricultural runoff and algal blooms at the upcoming Innovations in the Science & Policy of Water Quality Measurement at California Institute of Technology, in April 12-13, 2024. An overabundance of nutrients from agricultural runoff can lead to excessive algae growth and deteriorating water quality. However, this type of pollution is difficult to regulate because its source is not directly measurable. This topic area will explore state-of-the-art methods for detecting algal blooms, tools for modeling the origins of the nonpoint source pollution causing these blooms, and regulatory options for addressing this challenge. Jana ‘s charge is to (1) introduce the important problems tracking the inputs, budgets, effects, legacies and management associated with non-point source nutrient pollution, (2) discuss some key challenges in nonpoint source nutrient research, with an emphasis on work where scientists or engineers could address these challenges. https://www.waterqualitycaltech.org/

Citation

Compton, J., R. Sabo, A. Handler, AND A. Rea. Nonpoint source nutrient pollution: Science needs for Water Quality Monitoring. Innovations in the Science & Policy of Water Quality Measurement at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, April 12 - 13, 2024.