RISE RISE RRiver-iver-IInfluences on nfluences on SShelf helf

EEcosystems – cosystems – The Columbia River Plume The Columbia River Plume

ProgramProgram

David A. JayDavid A. JayDepartment of Environmental and Department of Environmental and Biomolecular Systems Biomolecular Systems OGI School of Science and OGI School of Science and Engineering Engineering Oregon Health and Science Oregon Health and Science UniversityUniversityWith thanks to the RISE Team With thanks to the RISE Team

Project Title – Project Title – Collaborative Research: Productivity, Collaborative Research: Productivity, Biogeochemical Transformations and Biogeochemical Transformations and Cross-margin Transport in an Eastern Cross-margin Transport in an Eastern Boundary Buoyant Plume RegionBoundary Buoyant Plume Region

Target area – the Columbia River (CR) plume in Target area – the Columbia River (CR) plume in a shelf setting extending from mid-Oregon to a shelf setting extending from mid-Oregon to mid-Washingtonmid-Washington

Left: SeaWiFS 26 June 2000, Chl, mg m-3

Note high Chl off WA Right: CZ Color Scanner,

from 24 May 1982 Note large plume area

Why the Columbia River (CR) Plume?Why the Columbia River (CR) Plume?

► CR is a typical large, productive plume that impacts the global CR is a typical large, productive plume that impacts the global carbon budget through enhanced cross-margin transportcarbon budget through enhanced cross-margin transport Average flows is 7,000 mAverage flows is 7,000 m33ss-1-1

Range in 2,000 to 25,000 mRange in 2,000 to 25,000 m33ss-1-1

► It is small enough to be tractable (barely!)It is small enough to be tractable (barely!)► CR has little excess N, so plume physical effects on CR has little excess N, so plume physical effects on

biogeochemical processes can be isolated biogeochemical processes can be isolated ► Low-N CR can be contrasted with more-often studied plumes Low-N CR can be contrasted with more-often studied plumes

from eutrophic rivers like the Mississippifrom eutrophic rivers like the Mississippi► CR plume entrainment, modification and transport of CR plume entrainment, modification and transport of

dissolved/particulate material significantdissolved/particulate material significant► Poses flow and fisheries management issues that require new Poses flow and fisheries management issues that require new

science and are typical of large rivers science and are typical of large rivers

The Hypotheses –The Hypotheses –

1961 data, from Anderson, 1972

H1H1,, the “Plume Hypothesis”:the “Plume Hypothesis”: During upwelling During upwelling the growth rate of phytoplankton within the the growth rate of phytoplankton within the plume exceeds that in nearby areas outside the plume exceeds that in nearby areas outside the plume being fueled by the same upwelling plume being fueled by the same upwelling nitrate.nitrate.

Questions --Questions --► Do plume stability and turbidity affect phytoplankton Do plume stability and turbidity affect phytoplankton

growth rates and/or species composition? growth rates and/or species composition? ► Does iron in the plume (either water column or Does iron in the plume (either water column or

sediment-derived) alter growth rates?sediment-derived) alter growth rates?► Do grazer species and grazing rates in the plume differ Do grazer species and grazing rates in the plume differ

from those outside the plume? from those outside the plume? ► Does the plume spatially concentrate either Does the plume spatially concentrate either

phytoplankton or zooplankton? If so, how and where?phytoplankton or zooplankton? If so, how and where?► Does the presence of an offshore plume front inhibit Does the presence of an offshore plume front inhibit

plankton growth rates on the Oregon shelf? plankton growth rates on the Oregon shelf?

H2, H2, the “Transport Hypothesis”: the “Transport Hypothesis”: The plume The plume enhances cross-margin transport of plankton enhances cross-margin transport of plankton and nutrients.and nutrients.

Questions --Questions --► Do entrained upwelling nutrients increase the Do entrained upwelling nutrients increase the

plankton standing stock in the plume?plankton standing stock in the plume?► How, where and when are plankton entrained into How, where and when are plankton entrained into

and transported by the plume?and transported by the plume?► Does the carbon export per unit distance along coast Does the carbon export per unit distance along coast

exceed that in regions without a plume?exceed that in regions without a plume?► What is the composition of matter preferentially What is the composition of matter preferentially

exported by the plume? exported by the plume?

H3, the “Iron Hypothesis”:H3, the “Iron Hypothesis”: Plume-specific Plume-specific nutrients (Fe and Si) alter and enhance nutrients (Fe and Si) alter and enhance productivity on nearby shelves.productivity on nearby shelves.

Questions --Questions --► Is shelf primary productivity off WA greater than that Is shelf primary productivity off WA greater than that

off OR for the same applied alongshore wind stress? off OR for the same applied alongshore wind stress? ► Is this due to enhanced Fe availability off WA, either Is this due to enhanced Fe availability off WA, either

from the water column or from the sediments? from the water column or from the sediments? ► Does diatom size differ between the two shelves?Does diatom size differ between the two shelves?► Do grazers, pathways and 2Do grazers, pathways and 2ndnd productivity depend on productivity depend on

Fe? Fe?

Some Important Processes –Some Important Processes –

Fe Biogeochemistry in the Plume Fe Biogeochemistry in the Plume Area --Area --► Dissolved Fe (dFe), SiODissolved Fe (dFe), SiO44 supplied to plume by CR in supplied to plume by CR in

spring, Particulate Fe supplied to shelf in winter (which spring, Particulate Fe supplied to shelf in winter (which is more vital?)is more vital?)

► Plume Fe, SiOPlume Fe, SiO44 combine with upwelled N and P, combine with upwelled N and P, enhance Chl enhance Chl

ObservationsObservationsand conceptual and conceptual model for role model for role of dFe:of dFe:

CR Plume Biophysical Processes (Concepts) CR Plume Biophysical Processes (Concepts) –– ► WA productivity generally higher, winter or spring Fe input??WA productivity generally higher, winter or spring Fe input??► Plume moves south and offshore during upwellingPlume moves south and offshore during upwelling► Fe from river, BBL and from plume mixing Fe from river, BBL and from plume mixing ► Vertical mixing crucial to availability of nutrients to plumeVertical mixing crucial to availability of nutrients to plume

Plume Mixing and Fronts – Plume Mixing and Fronts – ► Plume is highly mobile, with Plume is highly mobile, with

windswinds► Pulsed, tidal outflowPulsed, tidal outflow► Shear induced mixing occurs at Shear induced mixing occurs at

fronts and in interior due to fronts and in interior due to winds, internal tides and plume winds, internal tides and plume motionmotion

► Internal tidal currents >Internal tidal currents >barotropic tidesbarotropic tides

► Internal tides variable,Internal tides variable,because of plume motion because of plume motion and?? and??

► N mixed into plume N mixed into plume crucial to productivity crucial to productivity

How do we Address the How do we Address the Hypotheses?Hypotheses?

Sampling Program 2004 to 2006 – Sampling Program 2004 to 2006 – ► 2-3 week cruises in June 2004 -2006 (high-flow), August 2005 (low-flow); 2-3 week cruises in June 2004 -2006 (high-flow), August 2005 (low-flow);

additional BPA/NMFS cruises additional BPA/NMFS cruises ► Three biophysical mooring with ADCP, CT, nutrientsThree biophysical mooring with ADCP, CT, nutrients► Two vessels: Two vessels:

most biogeochemistry on most biogeochemistry on R/V WecomaR/V Wecoma ADCP, Triaxus surveys, water properties, turbulent mixing, some biology ADCP, Triaxus surveys, water properties, turbulent mixing, some biology on R/V Pt Suron R/V Pt Sur

► COAST, OR and WA COAST, OR and WA ECOHAB and BPA/NMFS ECOHAB and BPA/NMFS also have moorings also have moorings

► 1-km and 4-km coastal 1-km and 4-km coastal radars + COAST radars + COAST

► Aircraft salinity sensing Aircraft salinity sensing (2004) with BPA/NMFS(2004) with BPA/NMFS

PI Roles:PI Roles: Techniques InvestigatorHammer and tongs Hickey

Coordinated data collection, analysis and modeling Jay, Peterson, Baptista

Surveys, flow-through fluorometry, T,S, FlowCAM, CTD, Triaxus tow-fish, moored arrays

Jay, Lessard, Kudela, Dever

LISST-FLOC. acoustic backscatter Jay

In vivo and in vitro Fluorometry Kudela

Flow injection, voltammetryFCM Kudeal, LessardFlowCAM, microscopy/image analysis Lessard15N nitrogen kinetics (NO3,NH4, Urea) Kudela

Net tows, Hydro-acoustics PetersonGut pigment, Immunoassay Peterson, Lessard3D, ROMS MacCready

3D Numerical models MacCready, Post Doc., A. Leising3D, Finite Element Baptista

WWW data Jay

Moorings, ADCP Surveys Dever, Jay,

Profiles Moum, Nash

Moorings, NDBC/IOS Buoy, MM5 Model Dever, MacCready

CODAR, up to 180 km Kosro

GPS- drifters (with C,T) Hickey

AVHRR, SeaWiFS, MODIS, Bio-Optical modeling Kudela

Synthetic Aperature Radar (SAR) Jay

ComponentManagement and Synthesis

Interaction with Salmon Studies

Water Properties (T, S, Fluorescence, transmissivity, PAR, O2)Suspended particulate and size concentration

Chlorophyll a and phaeopigmentsDissolved Nutrients Lechat autoanalyzer, Surveys, Moored Samplers Kudela, Bruland

Fe, other trace metals BrulandPicoplankton Autotrophic/Heterotrophic nano/microplanktonNitrogen Uptake

Phytoplankton Growth and Microzooplankton Grazing Rates

Dilution method – size-fractionated chlorophyll a FlowCAM, microscopy

Lessard

Macrozooplankton Species and Macrozooplankton Grazing Circulation Modeling, Processes

Biophysical Modeling

Real time Estuary and Plume Modeling

Hydrology and Climatology

Lagrangian Currents

Remote Sensing,

Remote Sensing of Fronts

Currents

Mixing Rates, Nutrient Fluxes

Winds, Humidity

Surface Eulerian Currents

Questions Addressed by Collaborating Questions Addressed by Collaborating Projects –Projects – ► CR flow and plume are strongly affected by climate – CR flow and plume are strongly affected by climate –

How do secular change, ENSO and Pacific Decadal Oscillation affect How do secular change, ENSO and Pacific Decadal Oscillation affect plume productivity and juvenile salmonids? (GLOBEC and NMFS/BPA)plume productivity and juvenile salmonids? (GLOBEC and NMFS/BPA)

► CR is a huge Fe source (NMFS/BPA projects) – CR is a huge Fe source (NMFS/BPA projects) – How has river management affected coastal production via nutrient How has river management affected coastal production via nutrient

and micronutrient supply? and micronutrient supply? Can some negative effects of water, Fe loss be reversed?Can some negative effects of water, Fe loss be reversed?

► CR flow and fisheries management are internationally CR flow and fisheries management are internationally influential (NMFS/BPA projects) – influential (NMFS/BPA projects) – How does plume affect juvenile salmon and other fish resources?How does plume affect juvenile salmon and other fish resources? How has flow management altered plume?How has flow management altered plume? How are flow/salmon management constrained by climate change?How are flow/salmon management constrained by climate change?

► Toxic algal blooms off central OR and N. WA – Toxic algal blooms off central OR and N. WA – How are these affected by upwelling, Fe, grazing? (ORHAB, ECOHAB)How are these affected by upwelling, Fe, grazing? (ORHAB, ECOHAB)

► Plume fronts: Plume fronts: What is their time-space distribution? (NESDIS)What is their time-space distribution? (NESDIS)

Broader Impacts – Broader Impacts – ► RISE will help understand plumes on eastern RISE will help understand plumes on eastern

boundary currents worldwideboundary currents worldwide► Expands the suite of issues addressed by Co-OPExpands the suite of issues addressed by Co-OP► Important international implications for flow Important international implications for flow

and salmon managementand salmon management► Regional importance for groundfish, crab Regional importance for groundfish, crab

managementmanagement► Education: 6 undergrads, 8 grad students and 2 Education: 6 undergrads, 8 grad students and 2

postdocs postdocs ►Outreach program: will involve 4 high school Outreach program: will involve 4 high school

teachers in summer research, 2 years eachteachers in summer research, 2 years each

RISE Summary – RISE Summary – ► The interdisciplinary RISE team includes 12 The interdisciplinary RISE team includes 12

PIsPIs►We are at the beginning of an exciting We are at the beginning of an exciting

program, with many challenges aheadprogram, with many challenges ahead► RISE will apply new ideas, technologies and RISE will apply new ideas, technologies and

models to a difficult set of problems – the models to a difficult set of problems – the physics and biogeochemistry of buoyant physics and biogeochemistry of buoyant plumesplumes

► RISE will interact strongly with other programs RISE will interact strongly with other programs in the region. This will greatly increase the in the region. This will greatly increase the impacts of our workimpacts of our work

► CR spring flow is down >40% due to flow regulation, irrigationCR spring flow is down >40% due to flow regulation, irrigation► SPM supply is down ~50%SPM supply is down ~50%► Plume volume is much smaller, 1961 vs. 1999 as example:Plume volume is much smaller, 1961 vs. 1999 as example:

June 1961 and 1999 natural flows both very high (>20,000 mJune 1961 and 1999 natural flows both very high (>20,000 m33 s s-1-1)) Actual 1999 flow was ~ 11,000 mActual 1999 flow was ~ 11,000 m33 s s-1-1, 1961 was ~20,000 m, 1961 was ~20,000 m33 s s-1-1

1999 plume covered only ~65% of area covered in 1961, 1999 plume covered only ~65% of area covered in 1961, fronts were weaker, smaller in areafronts were weaker, smaller in area

June 1961 Plume

Hydrologic Change and the CR Plume --Hydrologic Change and the CR Plume --

June 1999 Plume

Possible Historical Changes in dFe Input --Possible Historical Changes in dFe Input --

1997

1880

Beaver Fe transport, Hindcast from US GS model,95% confidence limits shaded

► Assumes that dFe geo-Assumes that dFe geo-chemistry is unalteredchemistry is unaltered

► Uses simple USGS Uses simple USGS models of 1990s datamodels of 1990s data

► CR is a Mississippi-CR is a Mississippi-sized source of dFe sized source of dFe

► Modern dFe input is Modern dFe input is mostly in wintermostly in winter

► Historic dFe input was Historic dFe input was mostly in springmostly in spring

► Interaction of dFe with Interaction of dFe with floodplain and estuary floodplain and estuary have changed greatlyhave changed greatly

Beaver Fe transport, Hindcast from US GS model,95% confidence limits shaded

Changes in N and Si Inputs --Changes in N and Si Inputs --

► Eutrophication is NOT aEutrophication is NOT aCR issueCR issue

► N, POM inputs to river N, POM inputs to river have increased, but:have increased, but: Reservoirs increase T & Reservoirs increase T &

residence time, decreaseresidence time, decrease turbidity turbidity

Fluvial production up ~4xFluvial production up ~4x Changes in flow have increased estuary residence time and use Changes in flow have increased estuary residence time and use

of Nof N

► Annual export of N to plume may have decreasedAnnual export of N to plume may have decreased► Biggest decrease in N supply in spring, because there Biggest decrease in N supply in spring, because there

was historically little production in cold, turbid, high-flow was historically little production in cold, turbid, high-flow river river

► Si input likely not changed very much – always in excessSi input likely not changed very much – always in excess► Zero salinity river water no longer injected into plumeZero salinity river water no longer injected into plume

Chl data from Larry Small, OSU