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Changes in Water Quality and Nitrogen Loadings in Boston Harbor After Nut Island Flow Transfer

This study examines the impacts of transferring flows from Nut Island on Boston Harbor's water quality and nitrogen dynamics. Boston Harbor receives substantial total nitrogen loadings, primarily from wastewater, contributing to environmental challenges like eutrophication. Elevated nutrient levels have led to significant ecological changes, including the loss of seagrass beds and low dissolved oxygen levels. Post-transfer observations reveal a decrease in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and improved water clarity in the South Harbor, while the North Harbor showed increased DIN and inconsistent phytoplankton biomass responses.

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Changes in Water Quality and Nitrogen Loadings in Boston Harbor After Nut Island Flow Transfer

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  1. HARBOR UPDATE Transfer of Nut Island flows, and changes in the water quality of Boston Harbor David Taylor

  2. NITROGEN LOADINGS TO BOSTON HARBOR • Boston Harbor receives loadings of total nitrogen (TN) from terrestrial plus atmospheric sources of 6.6 x 105 kmol y-1 (Kelly 1998). • This is among the highest reported for any bay or estuary in the USA (Kelly 1991, Nixon et al. 1996). • >90% of these inputs occur from wastewater (Alber and Chan 1994).

  3. SYMPTOMS OF EUTROPHICATION • Elevated nutrient concentrations (Kelly 1998) and phytoplankton biomass (HydroQual 1994) • Almost total demise of seagrass beds, and heavy epiphytization of remaining beds (Colaruso, EPA) • Low dissolved oxygen concentrations in Inner Harbor (MWRA unpubl. data) • Supports benthic invertebrate communities typical of moderately degraded environments (Blake et al. 1998).

  4. CONCLUSIONS • Changes in water quality have been observed in Boston Harbor since transfer of Nut Island flows. • The South Harbor has shown decreased concentrations of DIN, increased water clarity, and variable responses of biomass of phytoplankton. • The North Harbor has shown increased DIN concentrations, a small increase in clarity at the outfalls, and no change in phytoplankton biomass. • The phytoplankton responses to increased nitrogen loadings appear to have been manifested in west Mass Bay.

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