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Title: Evaluation and management of non-point source pollutants in the Lake Tahoe watershed

Abstract

Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, one of the most oligotrophic lakes in the world, is experiencing decreased water clarity and increased periphyton growth, and water supplies drawing from the lake are experiencing increased algal-related tastes and odors. The growth of algae in Lake Tahoe is primarily limited by the nitrogen (nitrate and ammonia) loads to the lake, which have been increasing over the years. The nitrogen that is causing the increased fertilization of the lake is primarily derived from atmospheric sources through precipitation onto the lake`s surface. A potentially highly significant source of atmospheric nitrogen in the Lake Tahoe Basin is automobile, bus, and truck engine exhaust discharge of NOx. The fertilization of lawns and other shrubbery, including golf courses, within the Lake Tahoe Basin is also leading to significant growths of attached algae in the nearshore waters of the lake. The fertilizers are transported via groundwater to the nearshore areas of the lake. In order to prevent further deterioration of Lake Tahoe`s eutrophication-related water quality, there is immediate need to control atmospheric input of nitrate and ammonia to the lake`s surface, and to control use of fertilizers on lawns, shrubbery, and golf courses in the watershed. The states of California andmore » Nevada, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority need to focus considerable attention on the determination of whether restricting NOx emissions from vehicular traffic within the basin would have a significant beneficial impact on Lake Tahoe`s water clarity.« less

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. G. Fred Lee and Associates, El Macero, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
82793
Report Number(s):
CONF-940789-
ISBN 0-7844-0031-8; TRN: IM9533%%251
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: American Society of Civil Engineers 1994 National Council on Environmental Engineering (NCEE) conference on critical issues in water and waste water treatment, Boulder, CO (United States), 11-13 Jul 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Critical issues in water and wastewater treatment. Proceedings of the 1994 national conference on environmental engineering; Ryan, J.N.; Edwards, M. [eds.] [Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Dept of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering]; PB: 824 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CALIFORNIA; WATER POLLUTION; NEVADA; LAKES; NITROGEN OXIDES; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; NITRATES; POLLUTION SOURCES

Citation Formats

Lee, G F, and Jones-Lee, A. Evaluation and management of non-point source pollutants in the Lake Tahoe watershed. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Lee, G F, & Jones-Lee, A. Evaluation and management of non-point source pollutants in the Lake Tahoe watershed. United States.
Lee, G F, and Jones-Lee, A. 1994. "Evaluation and management of non-point source pollutants in the Lake Tahoe watershed". United States.
@article{osti_82793,
title = {Evaluation and management of non-point source pollutants in the Lake Tahoe watershed},
author = {Lee, G F and Jones-Lee, A},
abstractNote = {Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, one of the most oligotrophic lakes in the world, is experiencing decreased water clarity and increased periphyton growth, and water supplies drawing from the lake are experiencing increased algal-related tastes and odors. The growth of algae in Lake Tahoe is primarily limited by the nitrogen (nitrate and ammonia) loads to the lake, which have been increasing over the years. The nitrogen that is causing the increased fertilization of the lake is primarily derived from atmospheric sources through precipitation onto the lake`s surface. A potentially highly significant source of atmospheric nitrogen in the Lake Tahoe Basin is automobile, bus, and truck engine exhaust discharge of NOx. The fertilization of lawns and other shrubbery, including golf courses, within the Lake Tahoe Basin is also leading to significant growths of attached algae in the nearshore waters of the lake. The fertilizers are transported via groundwater to the nearshore areas of the lake. In order to prevent further deterioration of Lake Tahoe`s eutrophication-related water quality, there is immediate need to control atmospheric input of nitrate and ammonia to the lake`s surface, and to control use of fertilizers on lawns, shrubbery, and golf courses in the watershed. The states of California and Nevada, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority need to focus considerable attention on the determination of whether restricting NOx emissions from vehicular traffic within the basin would have a significant beneficial impact on Lake Tahoe`s water clarity.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/82793}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}

Conference:
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