Draft California 2024 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 2 - San Francisco Bay Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
Water Body ID: CAO2034000020210413059261
Water Body Type: Ocean
 
DECISION ID
151989
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Omega Aragonite is being assessed using Listing Policy section 3.11, a situation-specific weight of evidence approach. As additional research is needed to increase confidence that the data assessed reflect waterbody conditions, the LOEs for this pollutant are not used to place waterbodies on the CWA section 303(d) list. Instead, an exceedance of the mean Omega Aragonite threshold of <1.4 will indicate the beneficial use may be potentially threatened and the waterbody will be placed in Category 3 if the number of measured exceedances supports rejection of the null hypothesis as presented in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy for conventional or other pollutants.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the 4 samples exceed the Omega Aragonite threshold of <1.4.

Insufficient information is available to determine if the beneficial use is fully supported for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available.

In order to make recommendations to list an ocean segment as impaired or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported for ocean acidification using Omega Aragonite as an evaluation guideline, further research on the following points is needed to increase confidence that data assessed reflects waterbody conditions.
1. Impact of depth on aragonite saturation state, especially within the 0-200m range.
2. Timing in relation to data collection: Determining the number of days at a certain threshold for pteropod life stages.
3. Understanding natural aragonite saturation state levels in an upwelling state.
4. Seasonal variation and shift in dissolution rates.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: In order to make recommendations to list an ocean segment as impaired or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported for ocean acidification using Omega Aragonite as an evaluation guideline, further research on the following points is needed to increase confidence that data assessed reflects waterbody conditions.
1. Impact of depth on aragonite saturation state, especially within the 0-200m range.
2. Timing in relation to data collection: Determining the number of days at a certain threshold for pteropod life stages.
3. Understanding natural aragonite saturation state levels in an upwelling state.
4. Seasonal variation and shift in dissolution rates.
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151989, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
 
LOE ID: 308571
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean (San Mateo County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N10.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 7/20/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151989, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
 
LOE ID: 308568
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean (San Francisco County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N6a.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 5/29/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151989, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
 
LOE ID: 308570
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean (San Mateo County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N8.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 5/31/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151989, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (San Mateo, San Francisco Counties)
 
LOE ID: 308569
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean (San Francisco County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N6b.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 9/22/2018.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.