Lake Fred Management Plan Nitrate & Phosphate Impairments

Prepared by: Matthew Ward

Prepared for: Dr. Tait Chirenje
Envl Issues Spring 2014

Background

Organic molecules not only store energy needed by living organisms, but are also considered the
building blocks of life from which all organisms are constructed. Cells and tissues are made
form a diverse group of organic molecules, like amino acids, to make proteins and nucleic acids
to form DNA. These molecules require a variety of chemical elements including Carbon,
Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, phosphorus, and Sulfur. These elements are called nutrients, and
are needed to sustain life within an ecosystem. However, nutrient levels can also limit growth
when they are at levels below or above what is acceptable in the ecosystem. When there is a
shortage of a nutrient it is referred to as a limiting factor. This limiting factor is the one thing
that governs how much life can be found within an area. In Lake Fred at Richard Stockton
College we have an overabundance of nutrients. This is referred to as nutrient loading, and can
be very harmful to an ecosystem if it is not diagnosed and properly dealt with. Nutrient loading
in Lake Fred is a combination of both Phosphates and Nitrates entering the water. These
elements can lead to the eutrophication of a lake, and algal blooms. When a lake is eutrophic
phytoplankton are actively utilizing most of the oxygen within the lake through decomposition.
As more phytoplankton die they sink to the bottom of the lake and use oxygen turning the waters
anoxic. Many aquatic animals cannot survive if the oxygen levels drop too low. Eutrophication
can lead to fish kills and sometimes the death of all aquatic life within a lake. Algal blooms can
also lead to increased toxin levels in the lake, which can lead to human health problems. In this
plan we aim to reduce the nutrient load entering Lake Fred by 60 %. This will have a great
impact on aquatic life and lower the rate of eutrophication and algal blooms.

Watershed Management Plan

1) Sources
One of the main sources of Nitrates and Phosphates is fertilizer used on lawns and landscaped
areas. The actively landscaped land within our campus totals 224 acres. These lands are
fertilized and managed in order to keep the aesthetic value of them high. These fertilizers,
however, can be transported into the lake by heavy rains and water movement, specifically
runoff. Over the year of 2008 Plant Management reported that 13 tons of fertilizer was utilized
on campus. Fertilizer is needed to help the growth of plants that are not native to the ecosystem,
and would otherwise die out. Another factor that leads to the overabundance of nutrients in Lake
Fred is the storm water system. There are outflow pipes that discharge water directly into the
lake. These pipes carry the storm runoff from parking lots and high elevation areas and lead
straight into the lake. These waters are usually full of sediment and therefore have higher
nutrient content than the rain water that had fallen. The sediment originates from construction
areas and from daily use of non-paved roads and parking lots and finds its way into the lake
through these pipes.




Lake Fred Management Plan Nitrate & Phosphate Impairments
Prepared by: Matthew Ward
2) Load Reductions
Currently, there is 5 lb. /day of Phosphate and 10 lb. /day of Nitrates entering the lake shed
system. The goal of the watershed plan is to reduce these levels by 60%. Acceptable levels
would be 2 lb. /day and 4 lb. /day of Phosphate and Nitrates respectively. Of the inputs the
easiest to locate and lower is the amount fertilizer found in runoff water. This water carries high
levels of nutrients due to the fertilization of lawn area on campus. With replacing lawn and grass
with native plant species we will lessen the need for fertilizer and reduce nutrient inputs. Also,
utilizing native plants for landscaping will help to increase the natural biodiversity that should be
found within the Pine Barrens ecosystem that Stockton is placed in. Native plants will have a
higher ability to absorb nutrients that are unwanted in the lake, and also help the infiltration
process. With better water cycling, comes cleaner water.

3) Non-Point Source Management
Non point sources include any pollutants that enter the water from construction or fertilization of
property. These pollutants can originate from decomposing animal and plant matter, animal
feces, fertilization practices, or problems within the infrastructure. Decomposing matter and pet
waste both can be collected in urban runoff and are either passed through the storm water system
or enters the lake directly from ground flow. The clean-up of pet waste and feces from other
animals, such as geese, needs to be more thorough to reduce the amount that can travel into the
lake system. Old infrastructure could also be faulty and in need of replacement, as septic systems
and pipe leaks can add to nutrient loading in any water body. Much of the nutrient load entering
Lake Fred is from NPS, which makes quantifying the inputs of the Nitrate and Phosphate hard to
estimate.

4) Resources Needed
In order to reduce nutrient loading into Lake Fred outflow pipes can be fit with sediment traps to
collect anything flowing within the water entering the lake. These traps can be placed close to
the source of pollution. Once placed within a pipe the will need to be cleaned regularly to avoid
backup and clogging. On dry days when there is little water flow through the runoff system they
can be washed out in order to continue to work properly. Another way of lowering nutrient
inputs is the use of rain gardens around campus. Rain gardens are usually located in low lying
areas that receive storm water runoff from parking lots, roads, and roofs. Rain gardens are
designed to replicate the natural process of the water cycle, allowing rain water to be captured
within shallow vegetated depressions and soak into the ground. Hardy shrubs and grasses are
planted within the garden in order to promote nitrate fixation by bacteria to convert the harmful
nitrates into nitrogen gas. This prevents nitrates from running off into the storm water system.
The pollutants are removed through infiltration and plant absorption. This proves has been
proven to be very effective at reducing peak flow levels within a water body and also in the
lowering of nutrient laden runoff making it into a stream or lake. Rain gardens usually cost
about $5000 per acre of land. Through controlling the goose population on campus a reduction
in waste found on our athletic fields could reduce nutrients found in urban runoff. Many animal
services are available in which a canine usually chases the geese off a field, and an idle
cardboard or wooden cutout in the shape of the dog deters them from coming back. These
services usually cost about $120 per visit and the decoy dogs are $60 each. The technical
assistance needed to obtain values of these nutrients relies on the accuracy of the equipment.
Lake Fred Management Plan Nitrate & Phosphate Impairments
Prepared by: Matthew Ward
Water quality probes are often very expensive (YSI instruments are upwards of $2000) and only
should be used by trained employees or students.

5) Info, Education, Participation
In order to properly reduce nutrient loads the student body and faculty must be educated on the
issue. Nutrient loading in the lake is mostly overlooked, since not many classes or professors are
constantly doing research or water quality testing within Lake Fred. An educational campaign
consisting of four main points should be used to help convey the clean-up process to those who
are unaware of the effects of nutrient loading.

1. Nutrient loading can lead impairment of ecosystems and can lead to the eutrophication of a
lake or water body
2. Sources of P and N are easily identified on campus and some inputs are quantitative numbers
that can be lowered to start the process of remediation.
3. Controlling runoff and better managing construction practices can reduce the amount of
sediment pollution in the lake.
4. Reduced nutrients lead to higher biodiversity and a healthier ecosystem.

These points can be conveyed through flyers and educational talks on the subject by professors
or student organizations involved in environmental quality, such as SAVE and Water Watch.
Also on-campus tours given to students and parents who are visiting Stockton could add a quick
one minute explanation of the problem with Lake Fred, and what we are doing to solve and
reevaluate the ongoing pollution. Once engaged in the problem, students would be more eager to
join clubs and courses that are helping to combat the nutrient loading on campus.

6) Schedule
1
st
year Education outreach through seminars and talks on ecosystem health
Applying for grants to be used in the clean-up process through section 319H of the
Clean Water Act
Training of students and staff in the proper usage of water quality testing equipment
Baseline (start levels) assessed for each pollutant and recorded

2
nd
year Reduce fertilizer amounts used and research into greener fertilizing methods (ACUA)
Purchasing and implementing sediment traps on outflow pipe network along the lake
Control of goose populations implemented and decoys placed to avoid future problems

3
rd
year Lake Fred water quality assessed through stream invertebrate studies and testing
Data logged for first years and plan assessed to see if reduction is occurring
Plan revamped if needed, if working continue to monitor sites where pollution is of
concern (construction areas, actively landscaped areas, athletic fields)

4
th
year Reduce fertilizer use that over burdens the ecosystem with nutrients and implement
native species and organic fertilizers that will not inhibit ecosystem growth

5
th
year Continued monitoring by student organizations and classes to ensure plan is positively
affecting the ecosystem in the lake shed
Lake Fred Management Plan Nitrate & Phosphate Impairments
Prepared by: Matthew Ward
Sessions with student body, faculty, and student organizations to brainstorm ways to
ensure future water quality remains at a high standard

7) Milestones
Through water quality testing with YSI equipment we can track the amount of nutrients in the
lake and by what percentage they are dropping. Each milestone is a goal to reach on our way to
full (60%) nutrient reduction. The full reduction may not be completed within five years.
However, once the plan is implemented it will continue to reduce loads found within Lake Fred.
Also, amendments can be made if there are other options more suitable to Stocktons need for
nutrient pollution management.

15% Reduction -

30% Reduction -

45% Reduction -

60% Reduction -

8) Load Reduction Evaluation
With current usage of fertilizer on campus being 13 tons per year the input of Phosphates to the
lake totals 5 lb. per day. The input of Nitrate is 10 lb. per day. If properly reduced to 60 % the
inputs in the lake would total 2 and 4 lb. respectively of each nutrient. With simple water quality
testing procedures we can find the amount of N or P within the water column and track the plans
progress through the years. If loads are not decreasing, it will be suggested that the plan be
revised with stricter limits to fertilizer applications and construction management practices to
better manage the pollution.

9) Monitoring
Monitoring will be a continuous task for the ENVL students and faculty. Many classes in the
science department hold lab sessions outdoors near the lake and have water testing designated as
an area of interest within the curriculum. These classes such as; Freshwater Ecology, Ecological
Principles, Physical Geography, and Hydrology can perform weekly tests to monitor the levels
of nutrients within the lake. A schedule will be devised where each class is responsible for one
months data. During summer months a student can be designated by the professors to continue
sampling on a weekly basis, to ensure that values are measured year-round. With this data being
collected continuously, we will be able to track the levels throughout the years as they begin to
drop and near the reduction expectations. The data will be uploaded to a webpage so that anyone
can access it and view the progress of the reduction plan.




Lake Fred Management Plan Nitrate & Phosphate Impairments
Prepared by: Matthew Ward
Works Cited
National Research Council, Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems (National Academies Press,
Washington, DC, 1992).

US EPA, Bio retention (Rain Gardens) Fact Sheet Retrieved from:
http://buildgreen.ufl.edu/Fact_sheet_Bioretention_Basins_Rain_Gardens.pdf
US EPA, Promoting nitrate removal in rain gardens. IN: New Jersey Flows, New Jersey Water
Resources Research Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, IX (II):5, (2008)
US EPA, Green infrastructure research program Retrieved from:
http://www.centralohioraingardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/epa-rain- garden-study.pdf
NOAA, Pollution: A brief history:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_pollution/welcome.html
YSI 6600V2 and 6920V2 Product List and Pricing, Retrieved from: www.ysi.com/products.php
Conley D.J., Science Mag, Controlling eutrophication: Nitrogen and phosphorus. Feb 2009
Volume 323, pg. 1014-1016.
Carpenter S.R., Environmental Science Technology, Biological control of eutrophication in
lakes, 1995 Volume 29 pg. 784-786.
Hossay P. & Chirenje T. Stockton Energy Audit, Feb 2009 pg. 91-98.
Schindler D.W., Science, Eutrophication and recovery in experimental lakes: Implications for
lake management. Volume 184 pg. 897-901.