A natural resource condition assessment for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Appendix 6 - water quality

Day, Joseph; Conklin, Martha

Montane water systems are barometers of both natural and human induced change (Baron et al. 2009, Elser et al. 2009). By reviewing the past and current status of both rivers and lakes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) we have evaluated trends in concentrations of chemical solutes that can serve as indicators for anthropogenic pollution and establish a baseline to be used to evaluate environmental change. The suite of chemical solutes included major anions and cations, nutrients (nitrate and phosphate), chemicals of concern (mercury and representative pesticides); water temperature is also included. Our approach involves examining spatial and temporal trends in different water quality parameters (see Table 1 for a list of these parameters). For locations with elevated concentrations (i.e. with concentrations significantly higher than mean concentrations), we first considered historical use patterns or local geologic explanations. Exogenous sources were considered for any chemical solute concentration that could not be explained. After establishing temporal and spatial patterns, we chose indicator locations, four streams and three lakes that have a temporal record of the longest duration a minimum of 14 different parameters measured, and at least 100 records per year. These were used to evaluate any systematic change in water quality parameters. As not all parameters are measured in all locations, we have indicated when we have had to deviate from this general analysis approach. The NRCA report for the Rocky Mountain national park has recently been completed (Theobald et al. 2010). We compare lake data to the trends they observed for alpine lakes. There are well-known examples of anthropogenic impacts on watersheds and ecosystems. Among these are the impacts of phosphate fertilizers and pesticides, nitrates and ammonia from the agriculture industry in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), and acid rain (Whiting et al. 1989, Murdoch and Stoddard 1992, Lovett 1994, Marchetto et al. 1995, Clow and Sueker 2000, Turk et al. 2001, Sullivan et al. 2005, Saros et al. 2011, Vicars and Sickman 2011). Among the greatest concerns in SEKI are acid rain, and mercury (Heyvaert et al. 2000, Clow et al. 2002, Krabbenhoft et al. 2002, Sanders et al. 2008), and pesticide deposition (McConnell et al. 1998, Luo et al. 2008, Bradford et al. 2010). These are all exogenous factors that involve atmospheric transport from sources outside SEKI. By performing a more comprehensive analysis using available literature, it is possible to develop a more complete picture of the state of the resources. Atmospheric deposition of acids and nutrients are known to produce conditions in lakes, streams, and other water bodies that affect aquatic organisms (Murdoch and Stoddard 1992, Lovett 1994). Burning sulfur-containing fuels and the production of NOx in internal combustion engines can produce sulfuric and nitric acids, respectively, after interactions with other oxidizers (such as ozone) and water in the environment. Wind-blown fertilizers containing nitrate, ammonia, and phosphorus have been shown to be carried for miles from croplands (Kirchmann and Witter 1989, Kratzer and Shelton 1998, Krauter et al. 2002) to high elevation where they deposit on trees, grass and rocks, or fall in rain and snow (Stoddard 1987, Stohlgren et al. 1991, Zhang et al. 2002, Ohte et al. 2004, Fenn et al. 2010, Vicars et al. 2010, Saros et al. 2011). For several decades, the concentrations of nutrients and alkalinity have been measured in samples collected from streams and lakes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These exogenous factors are not necessarily toxic themselves, but in sufficient quantities, they can have significant 2 negative effects on surface waters (Jorgensen and Postgate 1982, Beller et al. 2004, Bodelier and Laanbroek 2004, Nydick et al. 2004).

A natural resource condition assessment for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Appendix 6 - water quality

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