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Water Quality Monitoring

The USGS California Water Science Center maintains a network of continuous water-quality monitors across the state which provide near-real-time water-quality data. Continuous water-quality monitors are typically installed at or near existing USGS stream gages or wells. Parameters that are monitored at continuous water-quality sites include water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate, chlorophyll, cyanobacteria, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and pH.

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Variability of Salinity and Temperature In San Francisco Bay

The USGS has been collecting specific conductance (salinity) and water temperature data in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) since 1990. Data are typically collected at 5-10 fixed locations throughout the bay, every fifteen minutes, every minute of the day.
Variability of Salinity and Temperature In San Francisco Bay

Variability of Salinity and Temperature In San Francisco Bay

The USGS has been collecting specific conductance (salinity) and water temperature data in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) since 1990. Data are typically collected at 5-10 fixed locations throughout the bay, every fifteen minutes, every minute of the day.
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High-Speed Mapping of Nutrient Distributions and Water Quality Survey - Lower South San Francisco Bay

This project aims to characterize spatial heterogeneity for key water quality parameters, and pilot the use of underway-flowthrough mapping of biogeochemical properties as a cost-effective approach to monitoring.
High-Speed Mapping of Nutrient Distributions and Water Quality Survey - Lower South San Francisco Bay

High-Speed Mapping of Nutrient Distributions and Water Quality Survey - Lower South San Francisco Bay

This project aims to characterize spatial heterogeneity for key water quality parameters, and pilot the use of underway-flowthrough mapping of biogeochemical properties as a cost-effective approach to monitoring.
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Assessment of Baseline Conditions in Liberty Cut

Monitoring habitat quality in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has been limited to mostly monthly discrete measurements of biologically relevant parameters (e.g. phytoplankton, dissolved organic matter (DOM), nutrients) that cannot fully characterize the physical and biogeochemical variability.
Assessment of Baseline Conditions in Liberty Cut

Assessment of Baseline Conditions in Liberty Cut

Monitoring habitat quality in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has been limited to mostly monthly discrete measurements of biologically relevant parameters (e.g. phytoplankton, dissolved organic matter (DOM), nutrients) that cannot fully characterize the physical and biogeochemical variability.
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Delta Regional Monitoring Program: Current-use Pesticides

This study will utilize the unique analytical capabilities of the USGS Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG), Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) to assess the occurrence of a large suite of understudied, current-use pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface waters entering the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.
Delta Regional Monitoring Program: Current-use Pesticides

Delta Regional Monitoring Program: Current-use Pesticides

This study will utilize the unique analytical capabilities of the USGS Pesticide Fate Research Group (PFRG), Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) to assess the occurrence of a large suite of understudied, current-use pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface waters entering the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.
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Dynamics of zooplankton in the Cache Slough Complex

Our purpose is to investigate what controls the distribution and abundance of fish prey within the Cache Slough Complex (CSC).
Dynamics of zooplankton in the Cache Slough Complex

Dynamics of zooplankton in the Cache Slough Complex

Our purpose is to investigate what controls the distribution and abundance of fish prey within the Cache Slough Complex (CSC).
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Assessment of methyl mercury (MeHg) release from sediment formed in wetland treatment cells designed to remove mercury from surface waters using in situ coagulation

Our objective is to determine the relative propensity of sediment material formed under two different in situ coagulation treatments (iron sulfate, polyaluminum chloride) to release MeHg into surface waters under environmentally relevant conditions that may affect flocculant stability and MeHg production rates.
Assessment of methyl mercury (MeHg) release from sediment formed in wetland treatment cells designed to remove mercury from surface waters using in situ coagulation

Assessment of methyl mercury (MeHg) release from sediment formed in wetland treatment cells designed to remove mercury from surface waters using in situ coagulation

Our objective is to determine the relative propensity of sediment material formed under two different in situ coagulation treatments (iron sulfate, polyaluminum chloride) to release MeHg into surface waters under environmentally relevant conditions that may affect flocculant stability and MeHg production rates.
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Phytoplankton production and nutrient transformations in shallow water wetland habitats

The objectives of this study are to quantify and characterize (1) phytoplankton production on Liberty Island, (2) utilization and transformation of nutrients, and (3) attenuation/loss of phytoplankton as the material is transported from Liberty Iisland into Cache Slough.
Phytoplankton production and nutrient transformations in shallow water wetland habitats

Phytoplankton production and nutrient transformations in shallow water wetland habitats

The objectives of this study are to quantify and characterize (1) phytoplankton production on Liberty Island, (2) utilization and transformation of nutrients, and (3) attenuation/loss of phytoplankton as the material is transported from Liberty Iisland into Cache Slough.
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Comprehensive Mercury Studies

The objective specific to work conducted by the CAWSC is to produce a continuous time-series of suspended-sediment flux at an existing site in Alviso Slough.
Comprehensive Mercury Studies

Comprehensive Mercury Studies

The objective specific to work conducted by the CAWSC is to produce a continuous time-series of suspended-sediment flux at an existing site in Alviso Slough.
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Nitrogen Dynamics Along the Sacramento River and Links to Phytoplankton Dynamics: Resolving Spatial and Temporal Variability Using In-Situ, High-Frequency Measurements and Other Tools

The overall project objective is to further our understanding of the link between nitrogen and phytoplankton dynamics in the Sacramento River and to elucidate effects of wastewater treatment plant effluent on food web dynamics.
Nitrogen Dynamics Along the Sacramento River and Links to Phytoplankton Dynamics: Resolving Spatial and Temporal Variability Using In-Situ, High-Frequency Measurements and Other Tools

Nitrogen Dynamics Along the Sacramento River and Links to Phytoplankton Dynamics: Resolving Spatial and Temporal Variability Using In-Situ, High-Frequency Measurements and Other Tools

The overall project objective is to further our understanding of the link between nitrogen and phytoplankton dynamics in the Sacramento River and to elucidate effects of wastewater treatment plant effluent on food web dynamics.
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Bay Area Ensemble Modeling for Conservation and Biodiversity

The objective of this study is to provide downscaled ensemble projections of climate and hydrology for the next century for the state of California with specific application to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bay Area Ensemble Modeling for Conservation and Biodiversity

Bay Area Ensemble Modeling for Conservation and Biodiversity

The objective of this study is to provide downscaled ensemble projections of climate and hydrology for the next century for the state of California with specific application to the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Interactions Between Physical Processes and Suspended Sediment Quality in Relation to Spawning Migrations of Delta Smelt

The proposed study is designed to better establish relationships between patterns of delta smelt abundance and properties of suspended particles as measured by optical and acoustical techniques.
Interactions Between Physical Processes and Suspended Sediment Quality in Relation to Spawning Migrations of Delta Smelt

Interactions Between Physical Processes and Suspended Sediment Quality in Relation to Spawning Migrations of Delta Smelt

The proposed study is designed to better establish relationships between patterns of delta smelt abundance and properties of suspended particles as measured by optical and acoustical techniques.
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Monitoring the Impacts of the Rim Fire on Tuolumne River Water Quality

The Rim Fire has burned over 400 square miles of the Tuolumne River and Merced River watersheds in central California and is now the 3rd largest wildfire in state history. The burn area is largely on the Tuolumne between Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Don Pedro Reservoir, both of which serve as critical sources of drinking water and irrigation water to San Francisco Bay area and Central Valley...
Monitoring the Impacts of the Rim Fire on Tuolumne River Water Quality

Monitoring the Impacts of the Rim Fire on Tuolumne River Water Quality

The Rim Fire has burned over 400 square miles of the Tuolumne River and Merced River watersheds in central California and is now the 3rd largest wildfire in state history. The burn area is largely on the Tuolumne between Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Don Pedro Reservoir, both of which serve as critical sources of drinking water and irrigation water to San Francisco Bay area and Central Valley...
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