Are estimated background nutrient concentrations using the USGS SPARROW model and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended criteria for ecoregions similar?
In general, background concentrations estimated using the USGS SPARROW model (Smith and others, 2003; http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/intro/es&t.pdf) and USEPA recommended criteria are similar for most ecoregions. However, in some ecoregions, modeled background concentrations, especially total phosphorus, are higher than recommended criteria suggesting that it may be difficult to attain the recommended criteria in these regions.
Related Questions
- How do nutrient concentrations at NAWQA agricultural and urban sites compare to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended nutrient criteria?
- How can SPARROW model uncertainty be used to better understand the factors affecting water quality?
- How does spatial scale affect SPARROW model predictions?
