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Wastewater input reductions reverse historic hypereutrophication of Boston Harbor, USA

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Abstract

This paper documents the changes that followed large nutrient (N and P) and organic matter input reductions to a major metropolitan marine bay, Boston Harbor (USA). Before input reduction, its N and P inputs fell in the upper range of the < 1–> 300 gN m−2 year−1 and < 0.1–> 40 gP m−2 year−1 for coastal systems. Elevated nutrient and organic matter inputs are recognized causes of coastal eutrophication. Treatment upgrades and then diversion of its wastewater discharges offshore, lowered its N, P, and organic C inputs by 80–90%. The input decreases lowered its trophic status from hypereutrophic to eutrophic–mesotrophic. With the reversal of hypereutrophication, pelagic production and phytoplankton biomass decreased, and the nitrogen limitation relative to phosphorus limitation increased. Benthic metabolism and dissolved inorganic N fluxes decreased, and benthic–pelagic coupling was altered. Bottom-water dissolved oxygen, already at healthy levels, increased, and seagrass expanded. Coastal management requires that the changes, following the nutrient and organic matter input reductions implemented to address eutrophication, be understood. Boston Harbor’s recovery, because its water column was vertically well mixed and marine, was more pronounced than in many other systems.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments on the manuscript. Grateful thanks are extended to Chris Werme and Nancy Maciolek for editorial help, and to the numerous laboratory and field personnel, for sample collection and analysis. Thanks are also due to the managers of the electronic data base from which all data were drawn. This work was funded by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. This paper represents the opinions and conclusions of the authors and not necessarily of the Authority.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Quality, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, 100 First Avenue, Boston, MA, 02129, USA

    David I. Taylor & Kenneth Keay

  2. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA

    Candace A. Oviatt

  3. The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA

    Anne E. Giblin & Jane Tucker

  4. Diaz and Daughters, 6198 Driftwood Lane, Wave Neck, VA, 2378, USA

    Robert J. Diaz

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  1. David I. Taylor
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  2. Candace A. Oviatt
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Correspondence to David I. Taylor.

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Taylor, D.I., Oviatt, C.A., Giblin, A.E. et al. Wastewater input reductions reverse historic hypereutrophication of Boston Harbor, USA. Ambio 49, 187–196 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01174-1

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