The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) researches nutrients by analyzing water samples and habitats across the State. Information about the occurrence and abundance of nutrients is critical for understanding and maintaining water resources across Texas. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.
Nutrients, including nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen, orthophosphate, and phosphorus, are essential for healthy plant and animal populations. Too many nutrients can have adverse effects on water quality, drinking-water sources, recreation, and aquatic life. Elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams, lakes, and estuaries can cause excessive growth of algae and other nuisance plants (a condition known as eutrophication). These plants can clog pipes and interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Subsequent decay of algae can result in foul odors and a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, known as hypoxia. Hypoxic conditions, such as those found in the Gulf of Mexico, can harm fish and shellfish that are economically and ecologically important to the Nation.
Nutrients occur naturally in water, but elevated concentrations may originate from manmade sources, such as artificial fertilizers, manure, and septic-system effluent. Nutrients can occur in both surface water and groundwater.
NUTRIENT SCIENCE CAPABILITIES
OTWSC has expertise in nutrient science applications, including, but not limited to:
- Evaluating the variability of nutrient concentrations and loads
- Evaluating the potential for developing continuous regression models based on surrogate parameters, such as acoustic backscatter and water-quality properties, to estimate nutrient concentrations
- Assessing nutrient occurrence, distribution, and concentration in waters
- Integrating nutrient monitoring networks including automated sampling, real-time data logging, and discrete sample collection
- Characterizing the water-quality connection between surface water and groundwater
- Low-level chemical analysis
Find out more about OTWSC water-quality science expertise in this printable information sheet.
LOOKING FOR NUTRIENT DATA?
USGS WaterQuality Watch: Real-Time Texas Nitrate Map
USGS National Water Information System: Water Quality Samples for Texas
Download data: Water Quality Portal
Water Quality Tracking: Coastal Rivers Nitrate Loads and Yields Interactive Map
CURRENT NUTRIENT SCIENCE
Coastal Inflow Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Monitoring Network
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Surface-water and Groundwater Interaction
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Groundwater Activities
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
Salado Creek Bacteria Source Tracking
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
Zebra Mussel Monitoring in North Texas
Projects related to nutrients are listed below.
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Surface-water and Groundwater Interaction
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
Nutrient and Sediment Monitoring in Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries
Cyanobacteria Methods
Dallas Lake Nutrients Study
Urban Waters Federal Partnership - Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Monitoring Network
Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program (ZMMP)
The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center (OTWSC) researches nutrients by analyzing water samples and habitats across the State. Information about the occurrence and abundance of nutrients is critical for understanding and maintaining water resources across Texas. Visit the links below for more information on our data and science.
Nutrients, including nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen, orthophosphate, and phosphorus, are essential for healthy plant and animal populations. Too many nutrients can have adverse effects on water quality, drinking-water sources, recreation, and aquatic life. Elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams, lakes, and estuaries can cause excessive growth of algae and other nuisance plants (a condition known as eutrophication). These plants can clog pipes and interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Subsequent decay of algae can result in foul odors and a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, known as hypoxia. Hypoxic conditions, such as those found in the Gulf of Mexico, can harm fish and shellfish that are economically and ecologically important to the Nation.
Nutrients occur naturally in water, but elevated concentrations may originate from manmade sources, such as artificial fertilizers, manure, and septic-system effluent. Nutrients can occur in both surface water and groundwater.
NUTRIENT SCIENCE CAPABILITIES
OTWSC has expertise in nutrient science applications, including, but not limited to:
- Evaluating the variability of nutrient concentrations and loads
- Evaluating the potential for developing continuous regression models based on surrogate parameters, such as acoustic backscatter and water-quality properties, to estimate nutrient concentrations
- Assessing nutrient occurrence, distribution, and concentration in waters
- Integrating nutrient monitoring networks including automated sampling, real-time data logging, and discrete sample collection
- Characterizing the water-quality connection between surface water and groundwater
- Low-level chemical analysis
Find out more about OTWSC water-quality science expertise in this printable information sheet.
LOOKING FOR NUTRIENT DATA?
USGS WaterQuality Watch: Real-Time Texas Nitrate Map
USGS National Water Information System: Water Quality Samples for Texas
Download data: Water Quality Portal
Water Quality Tracking: Coastal Rivers Nitrate Loads and Yields Interactive Map
CURRENT NUTRIENT SCIENCE
Coastal Inflow Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Monitoring Network
Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Surface-water and Groundwater Interaction
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Surface Water Activities
National Water-Quality Assessment Project in Texas - Groundwater Activities
Nutrient and Sediment Variability in the Lower San Jacinto River
Salado Creek Bacteria Source Tracking
Water-Quality Monitoring of the Lake Houston Watershed
Zebra Mussel Monitoring in North Texas
Projects related to nutrients are listed below.