Takekawa, J.Y., Ackerman, J.T., Brand, L.A., Graham, T.R., Eagles-Smith, C.A., Herzog, M.P., Topping, B.R., Shellenbarger, G.G., Kuwabara, J.S., Mruz, E., Piotter, S.L., Athearn. N.D., 2015, Unintended consequences of management actions in salt pond restoration: cascading effects in trophic interactions: Plos One: 10: e0119345. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119345
James S Kuwabara, Ph.D.
Serves as Scientist emeritus within the USGS Water Mission Area's National Research Program. Access project Web site at: http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/solutetransport/index.htm
Biography
Studies quantitatively describe processes that regulate the transport of trace inorganic contaminants in surface-water systems. For example, in many aquatic systems facing a long (decadal to century) history of anthropogenic inputs, solute accumulation in bottom sediments and biologically mediated chemical gradients at the sediment-water interface can generate a benthic source that may rival or even dramatically exceed regulated point sources. Therefore, the importance of this benthic flux relative to regulated or monitored sources is a focus of the project. To aid in the evaluation of remediation and load-allocation strategies, factors contributing to the temporal and spatial variability of the benthic flux of contaminants are also being examined.
Recent Accomplishments
Education
- California Institute of Technology: Ph.D. Environmental Engineering Science, June 1980; Ph.D. minor – Economics;
- M.S. Environmental Engineering Science, June 1976
- University of Hawaii at Manoa: B.S. with academic honors in Civil Engineering, June 1975
Professional Studies/Experience
- U. S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, National Research Program, Hydrologist (1982 – present)
- City College of San Francisco, Adjunct faculty in Earth Sciences Department (2005 – present)
- Cañada College, Adjunct faculty in Division of Science and Technology (2003-2006)
Mentorship/Outreach
- Thesis committees for 4 graduate students and advisor for 2 post-doctoral fellows (1992-2008)
- Research Advisor, NRP Ecology Discipline, USGS (2009-present)
- City College of San Francisco, Earth Sciences Department, Oceanography (January 2005 – present)
- Cañada College, Department of Science and Technology, Oceanography (August 2003- May 2006)
- National Water Quality Assessment Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Importance of sediment-water interactions on contaminant transport in mine-drainage systems, September, 2002.
- Presentations at USGS Western Region Open Houses
- Project Web site: http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/solute_transport/index.html
Professional societies/affiliations/committees/editorial boards
- CALFED Technical Review Panel, Contaminants Proposals (August 2000)
- Special Session Chairman, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Albuquerque, NM (February 2001)
- Associate Editor, Water Resources Research (2000 to 2002)
- Deputy Editor , Water Resources Research (January, 2002 to 2004)
- Associate Editor, Water Resources Research (2004 to 2006)
- Assistant Research Advisor, NRP Ecology Discipline, USGS (2006-2009)
- Editorial Board Member, Estuaries Newsletter, San Francisco Estuary Institute (1997 to present)
- Coordinator, Benthic-flux study of contaminants into the water column of Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID, USEPA-funded (1998 to 2001)
Honors, awards, recognition, elected offices
- Excellence in Review Award, American Chemical Society, Environmental Science and Technology (November 2003)
Science and Products
Year Published: 2016
Benthic processes affecting contaminant transport in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Executive SummaryMultiple sampling trips during calendar years 2013 through 2015 were coordinated to provide measurements of interdependent benthic processes that potentially affect contaminant transport in Upper Klamath Lake (UKL), Oregon. The measurements were motivated by recognition that such internal processes (for example, solute benthic...
Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Carter, James L.; Carlson, Rick A; Parchaso, Francis; Fend, Steven V.; Stauffer-Olsen, Natalie; Manning, Andrew J.; Land, Jennie M.Attribution: Water Resources
View Citation
Kuwabara, J.S., Topping, B.R., Carter, J.L., Carlson, R.A., Parchaso, F., Fend, S.V., Stauffer-Olsen, N., Manning, A.J., Land, J.M., 2016, Benthic processes affecting contaminant transport in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon (ver. 1.1, October 2016): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1175, 103 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161175.
Year Published: 2016
Effects of salt pond restoration on benthic flux: Sediment as a source of nutrients to the water column
Understanding nutrient flux between the benthos and the overlying water (benthic flux) is critical to restoration of water quality and biological resources because it can represent a major source of nutrients to the water column. Extensive water management commenced in the San Francisco Bay, Beginning around 1850, San Francisco Bay wetlands were...
Topping, Brent R.; Kuwabara, James S.; Carter, James L.; Garrettt, Krista K.; Mruz, Eric; Piotter, Sarah; Takekawa, John Y.Attribution: Water Resources
View Citation
Topping, B., Kuwabara, J.,, Carter, J., Garrett, K., Mruz, E., Piotter, S., and Takekawa, J., 2016, Effects of Salt Pond Restoration on Benthic Flux: Sediment as a Source of Nutrients to the Water Column: Journal of Environmental Protection, 7, 1064-1071. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jep.2016.77095
Year Published: 2015
Unintended consequences of management actions in salt pond restoration: cascading effects in trophic interactions
Salt evaporation ponds have played an important role as habitat for migratory waterbirds across the world, however, efforts to restore and manage these habitats to maximize their conservation value has proven to be challenging. For example, salinity reduction has been a goal for restoring and managing former salt evaporation ponds to support...
Takekawa, John Y.; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Brand, Arriana; Graham, Tanya R.; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Herzog, Mark P.; Topping, Brent R.; Shellenbarger, Gregory; Kuwabara, James S.; Mruz, Eric; Piotter, Sara L.; Athearn, Nicole D.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center, Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program
View Citation
Takekawa JY, JT Ackerman, LA Brand, TR Graham, CA Eagles-Smith, MP Herzog, BR Topping, GG Shellenbarger, JS Kuwabara, E Mruz, SL Piotter, ND Athearn. 2015. Unintended consequences of management actions in salt pond restoration: cascading effects in trophic interactions. PLoS ONE 10(6): e0119345. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119345
Year Published: 2013
Technical evaluation of a total maximum daily load model for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon
We reviewed a mass balance model developed in 2001 that guided establishment of the phosphorus total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the model and to determine whether improvements could be made using information derived from studies...
Wood, Tamara M.; Wherry, Susan A.; Carter, James L.; Kuwabara, James S.; Simon, Nancy S.; Rounds, Stewart A.Attribution: Oregon Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Technical evaluation of a total maximum daily load model for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon; 2013; OFR; 2013-1262; Wood, Tamara M.; Wherry, Susan A.; Carter, James L.; Kuwabara, James S.; Simon, Nancy S.; Rounds, Stewart A.
Year Published: 2013
Internal nutrient sources and nutrient distributions in Alviso Pond A3W, California
Within the Alviso Salt Pond complex, California, currently undergoing avian-habitat restoration, pore-water profilers (U.S. Patent 8,051,727 B1) were deployed in triplicate at two contrasting sites in Pond A3W (“Inlet”, near the inflow, and “Deep”, near the middle of the pond; figs. 1 and 2; table 1, note that tables in this report are provided...
Topping, Brent R.; Kuwabara, James S.; Garrett, Krista K.; Takekawa, John Y.; Parcheso, Francis; Piotter, Sara; Clearwater, Iris; Shellenbarger, GregoryAttribution: Water Resources
View Citation
Internal nutrient sources and nutrient distributions in Alviso Pond A3W, California; 2013; OFR; 2013-1128; Topping, Brent R.; Kuwabara, James S.; Garrett, Krista K.; Takekawa, John Y.; Parchaso, Francis; Piotter, Sara; Clearwater, Iris; Shellenbarger, Gregory G.
Year Published: 2012
Time scales of change in chemical and biological parameters after engineered levee breaches adjacent to Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon
Eight sampling trips were coordinated after engineered levee breaches hydrologically reconnected both Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake, Oregon, to adjacent wetlands. The reconnection, by a series of explosive blasts, was coordinated by The Nature Conservancy to reclaim wetlands that had for approximately seven decades been leveed for crop...
Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Carter, James L.; Wood, Tamara M.; Parcheso, Francis; Cameron, Jason M.; Asbill, Jessica R.; Carlson, Rick A.; Fend, Steven V.View Citation
Time scales of change in chemical and biological parameters after engineered levee breaches adjacent to Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon; 2012; OFR; 2012-1057; Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Carter, James L.; Wood, Tamara M.; Parchaso, Francis; Cameron, Jason M.; Asbill, Jessica R.; Carlson, Rick A.; Fend, Steven V.
Year Published: 2010
The transition of benthic nutrient sources after planned levee breaches adjacent to upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon
Four sampling trips were coordinated after planned levee breaches that hydrologically reconnected both Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake, Oregon, to adjacent wetlands. Sets of nonmetallic pore-water profilers were deployed during these trips in November 2007, June 2008, May 2009, and July 2009. Deployments temporally spanned the annual cyanophyte...
Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Carter, James L.; Parchaso, Francis; Cameron, Jason M.; Asbill, Jessica R.; Fend, Steven V.; Duff, John H.; Engelstad, Anita C.View Citation
The Transition of Benthic Nutrient Sources after Planned Levee Breaches Adjacent to Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon; 2010; OFR; 2010-1062; Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Carter, James L.; Parchaso, Francis; Cameron, Jason M.; Asbill, Jessica R.; Fend, Steven V.; Duff, John H.; Engelstad, Anita C.
Year Published: 2009
Benthic flux of nutrients and trace metals in the northern component of San Francisco Bay, California
Two sets of sampling trips were coordinated in late summer 2008 (weeks of July 8 and August 6) to sample the interstitial and overlying bottom waters at 10 shallow locations (9 sites <3 meters in depth) within the northern component of the San Francisco Bay/Delta (herein referred to as North Bay). The work was performed to better understand...
Kuwabara, James S.; Topping, Brent R.; Parcheso, Francis; Engelstad, Anita C.; Greene, Valerie E.View Citation
Benthic flux of nutrients and trace metals in the northern component of San Francisco Bay, California; 2009; OFR; 2009-1286; Kuwabara, James S. ; Topping, Brent R. ; Parchaso, Francis ; Engelstad, Anita C. ; Greene, Valerie E.
Year Published: 2009
Benthic oxygen demand in three former salt ponds adjacent to south San Francisco Bay, California
Sampling trips were coordinated in the second half of 2008 to examine the interstitial water in the sediment and the overlying bottom waters of three shallow (average depth <1 meter) ponds adjacent to the southern reach of San Francisco Bay (herein referred to as South Bay), which were previously used in commercial salt production. In recent...
Topping, Brent R.; Kuwabara, James S.; Athearn, Nicole D.; Takekawa, John Y.; Parcheso, Francis; Henderson, Kathleen D.; Piotter, SaraAttribution: California Water Science Center, Water Resources, Ecosystems, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program
View Citation
Benthic Oxygen Demand in Three Former Salt Ponds Adjacent to South San Francisco Bay, California; 2009; OFR; 2009-1180; Topping, Brent R.; Kuwabara, James S.; Athearn, Nicole D.; Takekawa, John Y.; Parchaso, Francis; Henderson, Kathleen D.; Piotter, Sara
Year Published: 2007
Quantifying the benthic source of nutrients to the water column of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Executive Summary Five sampling trips were coordinated in April, May and August 2006, and May and July 2007 to sample the water column and benthos of Upper Klamath Lake, OR (Fig. 1; Table 1), before, during and after the annual cyanophyte bloom of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). A pore-water profiler was designed and fabricated to obtain the...
Kuwabara, James S.; Lynch, Dennis D.; Topping, Brent R.; Murphy, Fred; Carter, James L.; Simon, Nancy S.; Parcheso, Francis; Wood, Tamara M.; Lindenberg, Mary K.; Wiese, Katryn; Avanzino, Ronald J.View Citation
Quantifying the Benthic Source of Nutrients to the Water Column of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon; 2007; OFR; 2007-1276; Kuwabara, James S.; Lynch, Dennis D.; Topping, Brent R.; Murphy, Fred; Carter, James L.; Simon, Nancy S.; Parchaso, Francis; Wood, Tamara M.; Lindenberg, Mary K.; Wiese, Katryn; Avanzino, Ronald J.
Year Published: 2007
Biological effects of anthropogenic contaminants in the San Francisco Estuary
Concentrations of many anthropogenic contaminants in the San Francisco Estuary exist at levels that have been associated with biological effects elsewhere, so there is a potential for them to cause biological effects in the Estuary. The purpose of this paper is to summarize information about biological effects on the Estuary's plankton, benthos,...
Thompson, B.; Adelsbach, T.; Brown, Cynthia L.; Hunt, J.; Kuwabara, James S.; Neale, J.; Ohlendorf, H.; Schwarzbach, Steven E.; Spies, R.; Taberski, K.View Citation
Biological effects of anthropogenic contaminants in the San Francisco Estuary; 2007; Article; Journal; Environmental Research; Thompson, B.; Adelsbach, T.; Brown, C.; Hunt, J.; Kuwabara, J.; Neale, J.; Ohlendorf, H.; Schwarzbach, S.; Spies, R.; Taberski, K.
Year Published: 2007
Development of a mercury speciation, fate, and biotic uptake (BIOTRANSPEC) model: Application to Lahontan Reservoir (Nevada, USA)
A mathematically linked mercury transport, speciation, kinetic, and simple biotic uptake (BIOTRANSPEC) model has been developed. An extension of the metal transport and speciation (TRANSPEC) model, BIOTRANSPEC estimates the fate and biotic uptake of inorganic (Hg(II)), elemental (Hg(0)) and organic (MeHg) forms of mercury and their species in the...
Gandhi, N.; Bhavsar, S.P.; Diamond, M.L.; Kuwabara, James S.; Marvin-DePasquale, Mark C.; Krabbenhoft, David P.View Citation
Development of a mercury speciation, fate, and biotic uptake (BIOTRANSPEC) model: Application to Lahontan Reservoir (Nevada, USA); 2007; Article; Journal; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; Gandhi, N.; Bhavsar, S. P.; Diamond, M. L.; Kuwabara, J. S.; Marvin-DiPasquale, M.; Krabbenhoft, D. P.
Pre-USGS Publications
Topping, B.R., Kuwabara, J.S., Carter, J.L., Garrett, K.K., Mruz, E., Piotter, S., Takekawa, J.Y., 2016, Effects of salt pond restoration on benthic flux: sediment as a source of nutrients to the water column: Journal of Environmental Protection, v. 7, p. 1064-1071, DOI: 10.4236/jep.2016.77095, https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70174041.