USGS Science⌕ Search

Geology topics

Research about Washington, British Columbia

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Washington, British Columbia.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2020

Key components and contrasts in the nitrogen budget across a US-Canadian transboundary watershed

Watershed nitrogen (N) budgets provide insights into drivers and solutions for groundwater and surface water N contamination. We constructed a comprehensive N budget for the transboundary Nooksack River Watershed (British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA) using locally derived data, national statistics, and standard parameters. Feed imports for dairy (mainly in the United States) and poultry (mainly in Canada) accounted for 30% and 29% of the total N input to the watershed, respectively. Synthetic fertilizer was the next largest source contributing 21% of inputs. Food imports for humans and pets together accounted for 9% of total inputs, lower than atmospheric deposition (10%). N imported by returning salmon representing marine‐derived nutrients accounted for <0.06% of total N input. Quantified N export was 80% of total N input, driven by ammonia emission (32% of exports). Animal product export was the second largest output of N (31%) as milk and cattle in the United States and poultry products in Canada. Riverine export of N was estimated at 28% of total N export. The commonly used crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) metric alone did not provide sufficient information on farming activities but in combination with other criteria such as farm‐gate NUE may better represent management efficiency. Agriculture was the primary driver of N inputs to the environment as a result of its regional importance; the N budget information can inform management to minimize N losses. The N budget provides key information for stakeholders across sectors and borders to create environmentally and economically viable and effective solutions.

Washington, British Columbia↗
USGS2020

Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery

Currently there is little natural recruitment of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River located in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA. This review of life history, physiology, and behavior of white sturgeon, along with data from recent toxicological studies, suggest that trace metals, especially Cu, affect survival and behavior of early life stage fish. Sturgeon free embryos, first feeding embryos, and mixed feeding embryos utilize interstitial spaces between gravel. Although concentrations of Cu in the water column of the Upper Columbia River are typically less than US water quality criteria defined to protect aquatic life, samples at the sediment–water interface were as large as 24 µg/L and exceed the criteria. Toxicological studies reviewed here demonstrate mortality, loss of equilibrium, and immobility at Cu concentrations of 1.5 to <16 µg/L and reduced swimming activity was documented at 0.88 to 7 μg/L. Contaminated invertebrates and slag particles provide other routes of exposure. These additional routes of exposure can cause indirect effects from starvation due to potential lack of prey items and ingestion of contaminated prey or slag particles. The lack of food in stomachs during these critical early life stages may coincide with a threshold “point of no return” at which sturgeon will be unable to survive even if food becomes available following that early time frame. These findings become especially important as work progresses to enhance white sturgeon recruitment in the Upper Columbia River. To date, decisions against including trace metals as a factor in sturgeon recovery have focused on surface‐water concentrations and measurements of lethality (LC50) to establish threshold concentrations for sturgeon sensitivity. However, information provided here suggests that measurements from the sediment–water interface and effect concentrations (EC50) be considered with white sturgeon life history characteristics. These data support minimizing Cu exposure risk to enhance a successful white sturgeon recovery effort.

Washington, British Columbia↗
USGS2003

Nitrate distributions and source identification in the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer, northwestern Washington State

The Abbotsford–Sumas Aquifer is a shallow, predominantly unconfined aquifer that spans regions in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and northwestern Washington, USA. The aquifer is prone to nitrate contamination because of extensive regional agricultural practices. A 22-month ground water nitrate assessment was performed in a 10-km 2 study area adjacent to the international boundary in northwestern Washington to examine nitrate concentrations and nitrogen isotope ratios to characterize local source contributions from up-gradient sources in Canada. Nitrate concentrations in excess of 10 mg nitrate as nitrogen per liter (mg N L −1 ) were observed in ground water from most of the 26 domestic wells sampled in the study area, and in a creek that dissects the study area. The nitrate distribution was characteristic of nonpoint agricultural sources and consistent with the historical documentation of agriculturally related nitrate contamination in many parts of the aquifer. Hydrogeologic information, nitrogen isotope values, and statistical analyses indicated a nitrate concentration stratification in the study area. The highest concentrations (>20 mg N L −1 ) occurred in shallow regions of the aquifer and were linked to local agricultural practices in northwestern Washington. Nitrate concentrations in excess of 10 mg N L −1 deeper in the aquifer (>10 m) were related to agricultural sources in Canada. The identification of two possible sources of ground water nitrate in northwestern Washington adds to the difficulty in assessing and implementing local nutrient management plans for protecting drinking water in the region.

Washington, British Columbia↗