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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-20 City Council (22)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO: .HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DATE:FEBRUARY 20, 2001 CMR: 117:01 SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $230,251 FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY MONITORING RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the attached . agreement with the United States Geologic Survey (U.S.G.S.) in the amount of $230,251 to monitor pollutants in clam tissue and sediments and to monitor ecosystem diversity in the Palo Alto Baylands area of San Francisco Bay during calendar years 2001 - 2003. DISCUSSION Project Description The work to be done by the U.S.G.S. consists of two parts. Part~I provides for sampling and analysis of tissue from clams and sediment found in the mud flats near the discharge point of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). Part II provides for monitoring of the number and diversity of the benthic organisms and the reproductivity of the clams. The monitoring is required by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) which regulates, the discharge of treated wastewater to the Bay by Palo .Alto. The sampling will cover a three year period (calendar years 2001 - 2003), and continue the work approved by Council and completed during the past three years (CMR:219:98). The results to date show dramatic decreases in pollutant levels in the clams compared to the early 1980s when pollutant discharges from the RWQCP were much greater. Part II of the program (monitoring of benthic diversity and clam reproductivity) is being added to be consistent with the new discharge permit issued by the Regional Board for the RWQCP on October 18, 2000. The new work will allo.w for an assessment of the health of the clams and their ecosystem, going beyond earlier analysis which focussed only on the level of the pollutants. Selection Process The U.S.G.S. has collected clam and sediment data adjacent to the Palo Alto discharge point since 1974. Much data on diversity and clam reproductivity has also been collected at that location. No other consultants or institutions have the unique capability to analyze CMR: 117:01 Page 1 of 2 9 pollutant and ecosystem trends in the vicinity. The work done by the U.S.G.S. for Palo Alto to date has been exemplary and received nationwide recognition. The U.S.G.S. does not charge Palo Alto for the full cost of the sampling program, but only for incremental costs associated with Palo Alto’s required monitoring. The Regional Board and the City wish to take advantage of the knowledge, experience, and efficiency in analyzing and interpreting data that the U.S.G.S. is able to bring to this project. For these reasons, the U.S.G.S. has been declared a sole source provider of the required services. RESOURCE IMPACT . The total cost of the three-year agreement is $230,251. First year costs in the amount of $100,227 will be funded from fiscal year 2000-01 Wastewater Treatment Fund operating budget. It is anticipated that funds for the second year ($68,635) and the third year ($61,389) will be included for in 2001-2003 budget. The agreement acknowledges that it is "subject to the availability of.appropriations". ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The monitoring program does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, an environmental assessment is not required. ATTACHMENT Attachment A: Agreement PREPARED BY: DEPARTMENT HEAD: PHILIP L. BOBEL Manager, Environmental Compliance Division GLENN S. ROBERTS Director of Public Works CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Assistant to the City Manager CMR: 117:01 Page 2 of 2 I~ornl 9-1~66 U.S. Department of the Interior (Nov. 1998)U.S. Geological Survey Joint Funding Agreement FOR WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 1st day of W-R01003 CA228 ATT~~N~ TIN #:~4-6000389 - January 2001 by the U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, party of the first part, and the City of Palo Alto, party of the sec- ond part. 1.The parties hereto agree that subject to the availability of appropriations and in accordance with their respective authorities there shall be maintained in cooperation Near Field Receiving Water Monitoring of (1) Tissues and Sediments and ¯(2) Benthic Community, hereinafter called the program. 2.The following amounts shall be contributed ’,o cover all of the cost of the _necessary field and analytical work directly related to this program. (a) $0 by the party0~ the first pa~’t during the period January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003 (b) $230~251.00 by the party of the second part during the period January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003 The City of Palo Alto will allocate funds for this project annually to the U.S. Geological Survey in increments of the following for Part I, $40,767 in 2001, $40,767 in 2002, and $40,767 in 2003; and the following for Part II, $59,460 in 2001, $27,868 in 2002, and $20,622 in 2003. (c)Additional or reduced amounts by each party during the above period or succeeding periods as may be determined by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties. 3. The costs of this program may be paid by either party in conformity with the laws and regulations respectively governing each party. 4.The field and analytical work pertaining to this program shall be under the direction of or subject to periodic review by an authorized representative of the party of the first part. 5. The areas to be included in the program shall be determined by mutual agreement between the parties hereto or their authorized representatives. The methods employed in the field and office shall be those adopted by the party of the first part to insure the required standards of accuracy subject to modification by mutual agreement. 6.During the course of this program, all field and analytical work of either party pertaining to this program shall be open to the inspection of the other party, and if the work is not being carried on in a mutually satisfactory manner, either party may terminate this agreement upon 60 days written notice to the other party. 7.The original records resulting from this program will be deposited in the office of origin of those records. Upon request, copies of the original records will be provided to the office of the other party. ~ 8.The maps, records or reports resulting from this program shall be made available to the public as promptly as possible. The maps, records or reports normally will be published by the party of the first part. However, the party of the second part reserves the right to publish the results of this program and, if already published by the party of the first part shall, upon request, be furnished by the party of the first part, at cost, impressions suitable for purposes of reproduction similar to that for which the original copy was prepared. The maps, records or reports published by either party shall contain a statement of the cooperative relations between the parties. 9.Billing for this agreement will be rendered in December of each year . Payments of bills are due within 60 days after the billing date. If not paid by the due date, interest will be charged at the current Treasury rate for each 30 day period, or portion thereof, that the payment is delayed beyond the due date. (31 USC 3717; Comptroller General File B-212222, August 23, 1983.)~ CITY OF PALO ALTO U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR By By Steven E. lngebritsen, Chief, Branch of Regional Research By By (USE REVERSE SIDE IF ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES ARE REQUIRED) Part I PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF PALO ALTO: NEAR FIELD RECEIVING WATER MONITORING OF TISSUES AND SEDIMENTS: January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Samuel Luoma, Daniel Cain, Michelle Hornberger, Cynthia Brown, Byeong-Gweon Lee, Janet Thompson, Francis Parchaiso MAIL STOP 465 345 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD MENLO PARK, CA 94025 1.0 INTRODUCTION In the 1990’s the Regional Water Quality Control Board described a Self Monitoring Program with its NPDES permits for South Bay dischargers that included specific receiving water monitoring requirements. One of the requirements was for inshore monitoring of metals and other specified parameters, to be conducted using the clam Macoma balthica and sediments, following protocols compatible with the Regional Monitoring Program. Monitoring efforts were to be coordinated with the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). The latter requirement stemmed from the 18 years of previous data that USGS collected from a station south of the Palo Alto discharge site in the extreme South Bay. Over the last decade such a program has continued with the partial support of the City of Palo Alto. The goal of the Board was to take advantage of that data in interpreting monitoring data in the future. The program has had demonstrated successes in this regard, documenting the reduction of contamination at a mudflat near the discharge of the Palo Alto RWQCP and identifying regional and local factors contributing to more complicated trends that have occurred in recent years. The present proposal describes a continued program of exposure monitoring at the near field (inshore) site in Palo Alto, taking aclvantage of the 20 years of existing data. We also propose, in .a separate document, to accompany evaluations of trends in metal exposure with determinations of effects on reproduction in the indicator clam, and an evaluation of benthic community structure. The reproductive index and the biointegrity index are proven indicators (Hornberger et al, 2000). Monitoring these indices will allow a strong near field evaluation of environmental change in the years ahead, that is compatible witt~ the Regional Monitoring Program’s broader approach. 1.1 PREVIOUS MONITORING STUDIES IN NEAR FIELD RECEIVING WATERS Since 1976, USGS personnel have monitored and studied trace metal concentrations in sediments and sediment-dwelling species in the vicinity of the discharge of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP). These studies initially found exceptionally high concentrations of copper and silver in mud-dwelling animals from this area. Additional studies documented that contaminants were present in enriched concentrations-throughout the food web, including bir~ds from the area. Contaminant trends through time have also been characterized. Concentrations of the most enriched pollutants, copper and silver, in sediments and clams, declined after1981, as PARWQCP improved its waste treatment facilities. The downward trends in copper content of animals correlated with reduced Cu discharges from the PARWQCP, between 1977 and.1989. In the 1990’sthose correlations are more complex. Silver concentrations remained elevated in the late 1980’s compared to other localities in the Bay. Silver contamination has also declined, in association with changing waste treatment and a source reduction program undertaken by PARWQCP. These studies demonstrated effective approaches to long term monitoring. The results suggested that sediments and local populations of clams are sensitive indicators of the response of receiving waters to changes in metal output from a discharger. They illustrated that reducing metal discharge in South Bay can be reflected within a year by reduced near field contamination in the environment and biota of San Francisco Bay. Both sediments and clams responded sensitively to the changes. Both also incorporated important environmental factors in their responses. When sediments and clams were monitored together, they provided corroborating lines of evidence, minimizing mis-interpretations. The most effective interpretation of trends occurred when samples were collected at several times of year, because of seasonality in concentrations. The data from a receiving water monitoring program of this type is not only useful for the Regional Board but can provide valuable feedback to local industries and small businesses. Palo Alto has used the data to provide feedback to participants in their silver source control program, for example. Periodically summarizing the long term data set may offer opportunities to evaluate influences of the PAWRQCP on contamination in South Bay compared to influences of other inputs. By analyzing archived animals we also have recently shown that clams with high metal exposures in the 1980’s were unable to produce mature gametes (i.e. it is highly likely individual animals at Palo Alto could not reproduce). Archived sediment sample exist from which it can be determined whether this affected the abundance of this animals and/or whether more sensitive animals may have been eliminated. In the attached proposal we are suggesting to extend the repr.oductive study into the future and to analyze the historic community data for effects on other species. If those effects exist we will extend that program into the future as well. This will provide a program of exposure and effect monitoring, consistent with risk assessment paradigms. 2.0 Objectives The purpose of the monitoring program is to characterize long term trends in trace element concentrations inshore near the discharge of the PARWQCP. Trace elements and associated parameters will be determined in fine,grained sediments and in the clam Macoma balthica. The monitoring will be conducted in a manner that will provide hig,h-quality data that are compatible with data collected historically, and with data provided .by programs such as the Regional Monitoring Program. Specific objectives include: ¯ Provide data to assess seasonal and annual trends in trace element concentrations in sediments and clams near the discharge; specifically at the site designated in the RWQCB’s Self-Monitoring Program for PARWQCP. ¯ Present the data within the context of historical changes inshore in South Bay and within the context of on-g0ing monitoring of effluents. ¯ Coordinate sampling efforts with similar inshore receiving water monitoring programs associated with the Regional Monitoring Program. ¯ Provide data which could support other South Bay issues or programs such as development of sediment quality standards. The monitoring approach described below has been effective in the past in relating changes innear field contamination in San Francisco Bay to changes in metal discharges from RW.QCPs, despite the complexities of monitoring natural systems. 5 Existing historical data will provide a context within which cause and effeci can be assessed for change in the futUre. If continued, this study will provide a unique opportunity to understand how investments in sewage treatment actually affects a receiving water environment. The monitoring effort also will act as alocal extension of. the Regional Monitoring Program. 3.0 Monitoring Program Approach The proposed approach will be to monitor trace element concentrations in fine grained sediments and resident populations of the deposit feeding clam Macoma ba/thica. Sediment particles bind most trace element pollutants strongly, efficiently removing them from the water column. Numerous prior studies have shown that analysis of concentrations of these pollutants in sediments provide a time-integrated indicator of trace element input to the water column. Animals such as Macoma ba/thica live in contact with sediments and feed upon organic material associated with sediment particles. Thus they are exposed to this concentrated pool of trace elements and sequester them in their tissues. These animals are important prey for larger species that live in the Bay, including migrating water fowl. Analysis of the tissues of the clams provides a measure of their exposure to bioavailable pollutants and an estimate of food chain exposures. Study of such exposure is the first step in understanding whether pollutants are adversely affecting an environment (although elevated tissue concentrations alone do not prove an effect is occurring). Understanding exposure in one species can be useful in indicating a larger exposure of the local food web, as shown in earlier studies at Palo Alto. Past USGS monitoring efforts have demonstrated the value of the dual sediment/tissue approach, when data are collected following the rigorous protocols described below. 3.1 Sampling Design 3.1.1 Sampling location Samples will be collected from one station located north of Sand Point (Figure 1). This is a mudflat on the shore of the bay (not a slough) 1 kilometer south of the Palo Alto discharge. It waschosen because it is influenced by the discharge of PARWQCP’s, but it is not immediately adjacent to that discharge. Thus it reflects a response of receiving waters to the effluent, beyond just a measure of the effluent itself. Earlier studies have shown that dyes, natural organic materials in San Francisquito Creek and wasters in the PAWQCP discharge all move predominantly south toward Sand Point and thereby influence the mudflats in the vicinity.. Earlier work showed that San Francisquito Creek and the Yacht Harbor were minor sources of most trace elements compared to the PARWQCP. Earlier studies also showed that intensive monitoring at one site was more effective in determining trends in trace element contamination than was less frequent sampling at a larger number of sites in the vicinity of the discharge. 3.1.2 Sampling frequency The basic monitoring program supported by Palo Alto will have a sampling frequency of three times per year as stipulated by the RWQCB. Sampling will correspond as closely with Regional Monitoring Program sampling as tides permit. The RMP .samples once during the wet season, once.during the dry season and then again at the end of the dry season. The basic program will follow this schedule also. Statistical techniques such as power analyses indicate that three samples per year will provide a 20 percent sensitivity in detecting trends. The USGS monitoring experience indicates that three samples per year will be insufficient to sensitively track seasonality ¯ in metal contamination. More frequent sampling provides more accurate interpretation of cause and effect in a temporally variable environment (accuracy is not considered in power analysis). USGS activities will include collecting samples an additional 3 - 5 times per year at their own expense. 3.2 Constituents to be Determined The constituents to be analyzed in sediments, and associated variables, are listed in Table 1. The constituents and variables to be determined in clam tissues are listed in Table 2. The constituent list is consistent with the constituents analyzed by the Regional Monitoring Program. The methods employed will be adjusted so as to minimize below detection limit determinations. The variables chosen for determination are those required by the Regional Board. 3.3 Methods 3.3.1 Sampling Macoma balthica and sediments will be collected at low tide from the exposed mudflat. Sediment samples will be scraped from the surface oxidized layer (<2cm depth) with a metal-free tool in a manner similar to previous sediment sampling in the area. Sediment will be collected from the same area as the clams. Enough sediment will be obtained to conduct all proposed analyses (Table 1) and to archive approximately 10 grams for any unforeseen future needs. Approximately 40 individual clams will b~e collected at each sampling time. 3.3.2. Sample preparation Sediments will be sieved through 100 IJm mesh in ultra-clean (~18 Mohm) deionized water immediately upon return to the laboratory. Both the fraction of sediment passing through the sieve arid the fraction retained on the sieve will be dried and weighed. Particle size distribution will be defined as the proportion of the total sediment mass divided between these two fractions. This also provides an estimate of the particle size characteristics of the bulk sediment for those who might want to make comparisons with bulk analyses. Replicate aliquots of the fraction of sediment that passes through the. 100 pm sieve will be digested by reflux with concentrated nitric acid to determine near total - concentrations (the same approach employed by the RMP). Replicate aliquots of each sediment will also be extracted in 0.5N hydrochloric acid to determine the leachable, anthropogenic contribution to the sediment concentration. Standard reference materials 9 will be digested with each sediment digestion run. Clams will be returned tO the laboratory live, washed free of local sediment and placed in clean ocean water diluted with distilled water to the salinity on the mudflat at the time of collection (determined from the water in the mantle cavity of representative individual clams). The animals will be held for two days to depurate undigested sediment, then prepared for analysis. The length of each clam will be determined then the shell and soft tissue will be separated. Soft tissues will be composited into 4 - 8 composite samples, each containing animals of similar shell length, and digested by ¯ nitric acid reflux. Samples for mercury and selenium analysis will be composited as above, and freeze dried before digestion in concentrated nitric/perchloric acid. The above procedure will result in 4 - 8 replicate samples from each collection for ICP analysis and 4 samples for mercury/selenium analysis. The data from these animals are not normally distributed and may be affected by animal size. Correlations will be calculated between animal size and metal concentration; and established procedures will be employed to calculate metal content of a standard sized clam for each collection. Previous studies show that such data reduction procedures are necessary to account for biological factors (size and growth) that affect metal concentrations, thus allowing a clearer linkage between RWQCP discharges and responses of the clams.. 3.3.3 Analytical methods Digested tissue and sediment samples will be evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 0,6N hydrochloric acid. Most elements will be analyzed by Inductively 10 Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP or ICAPES)(Table 1 and 2). Exceptions will include cadmium and silver in sediments, which occur at low concentrations and will be determined bY Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFAAS) with Zeeman background correction. The standard additions technique will be employed as necessary in these analyses. Mercury and selenium will be determined in both sediment and clam tissues by Hydride Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. All glassware .and field collection apparatus will be acid washed, thoroughly rinsed in ultra-clean deionized water, dried in a dust-free positive pressure environment, sealed and stored in a dust free cabinet. Quality control will be maintained by frequent analysis of blanks, analysis of National Institute of Standards and Technology standard reference materials (tissues and sediments) with each analytical run, and internal comparisons with prepared quality control standards. A full QA/QC plan.is available upon request. Typical detection limits for each element, in the matrix we are sampling, are shown in Table 3 and compared to "background" (the lowest) concentrations found in San Francisco Bay. 3.4 Data Analysis Data will be summarized and reported to Palo Alto annually. Annual reporting will be consistent with Regional Monitoring Program reporting format and will be coordinated with the receiving water monitoring programs of San Jose/Sunnyvale. Data appendices will be included that show basic analytical and computational data. The data report will include interpretive figures and tables that express each year’s monitoring data within the context of historical change and concentrations observed elsewhere. 4.0 Budget The budget for the proposed project is outlined in detail in Table 4. This budget includes charges only for the basic monitoring program of 3 collections per year. USGS will complement the study with the additional collections in each year. This proposal .describes work that will begin January 2001 and continue for three years, through December 2003. Renewal each January will be at the discretion of Palo Alto. 12 Table 1. Activities, constituents and variables in near field monitoring of fine ]rained sediments near Palo Alto RWQCP discharges. Activity Schedule Field Collections Sediment - Particle size ’ Sediment- HCI + Total AI Fe Mn Or Cu Pb Ni Zn Sediment- HCI + Total Cd Ag Sediment- Hg & Se (total) TOC Archive sediment Assemble data Annual Report Method Intertidal >100 um & <100 um ICP GFAAS Hydride Total C - GD Scint vial Common spreadsheet Common format Additional activities Logistics sieve from- field Extract or digest Use above extracts Freeze dry,. grind dry aliquot dry Frequency 6-8/y 6-8/y 6.8/y 6-8/y 6-8/y 3/y 6-8/y 6-8/y 6-8/y 1/y "13 Table 2. Activities, constituents and variables in near field monitoring of metals in the bivalve, Macoma balthica near the discharge of the Palo Alto RWQCPs. Activity Field Collect clean, depurate, dissect, size, dry, weigh Whole Tissues Fe ¯Mn Cd Cr ~-Cu Pb Ni Ag Zn Whole Tissues Hg Se Condition index/content Assemble data Annual Report Method ICP metals Hg & Se As above ICP Hydride Calculate Common spreadsheet Common Format Additional 20 individuals 20 individuals as above digest etc freeze dry Frequency 6-8/y 3/y 6-8/y 6-8/y 6-8/y 1/y Table 3. (units are micrograms per gram dry sediment). Element Detection Cd 0.05 Cr 1.0 Cu __~ 1.0 Pb 1.0 Hg 0.1 Ni ’1.0 Se 0.1 Ag 0.05 Zn 1.0 TOC 0.1% *Determined from pre-1850 sediments from cores. Detection limits for constituents to be determined in monitoring study Background in SF Bay* 0.2 >50 10-20 5-20 0.1 >40 0.1 0.1 >40 0.3%lowest ’Table ~i. ACTIVITY Field Work Sample Preparation ICP Analyses Mercury/Selenium GFAAS Total Organic Carbon Reduce & Assemble Data Instrument Repair & Maintenance Final Report SUBTOTALS TOTAL DIRECT COST INDIRECT COST ITOTAL COSTS 2001 ITOTAL COSTS 2002 ITOTA, L COSTS 2003 2001Budget* for Palo Alto near field monitoring program in dollars. SALARY SUPPLIES ANALYSES MISCELLANEOUS 3,690 50O 4,805 1,100 2,040 1,100 1,072 3,340 3,858 18,805 ITOTAL COSTS 2001 through 2003 2,620 8O5 1,650 2,700 3,425 1,650 26,580 14,187 40,767 40,767 40,767 I $122,301 Part II PROPOSAL TO THE CITY OF PALO ALTO: NEAR FIELD RECEIVING WATER MONITORING OF BENTHIC COMMUNITY: February 1974 through December 31, 2003 U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY .Janet K. Thompson and Francis Parehaso MAIL STOP 496 345 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD MENLO PARK, CA 94025 INTRODUCTION Concurrent, and prior to the initiation of the Luoma study,, the USGS has been collecting benthic (sediment dwelling animals) eommnnity data at three, nearby intertidal sites (south of Sand Point). This data can provide us with the opportunity to examine if the changes seen in the tissue concentrations of metals in Maeoma balthiea are reflected in physiological changes to the clams (i.e. reproduction) and are reflected in changes to the benthic community structure. This proposal describes an extension of the near-field (inshore) monitoring program at Palo Alto to include an analysis of the benthic community between 1974 and 2000, for analysis of reproductive activity from 1998 through 2000, and for continued analysis of benthic community and ~’eproductive activity from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003. PREVIOUS MONITORING OF THE BENTHIC COMMUNITY IN NEAR FIELD RECEIVING WATERS Since 1974, USGS personnel have monitored and studied the benthic community and reproductive activity ofMaeoma balthiea in the vicinity of the discharge of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP). Our findings during the first 10 years of this study were published in Nichols and Thompson (1985a and 1985b). We found that this community was composed of non-indigenous, opportunistic species that dominated the community due to their ability to survive the many physical disturbances on the mudflat. The disturbances discussed included sediment erosion and d~position, and exposure at extreme low tides. The possible effects of metal exposure as a disturbance factor were not considered in these analyses as the decline in metal concentrations in Maeoma balthiea and sediment had just begun. Luoma’s results (see Homberger et al. 1999, 2000) have suggested that sediments and local populations of clams at this location are sensitive indicators of the response of receiving waters to changes in metal output from a discharger. These studies have illustrated that reducing metal discharge in South Bay can be reflected, within a year, by reduced near-field contamination in the environment and biota of San Francisco Bay. We suggest here that, while the benthic community response to reduced metal output is likely to take longer, we might expect to see a response at the organism level (i.e. reproductive activity) within a year or two and a response at the communi,ty level soon thereafter (for example, was there a change in the number or type of species that colonized the area change when the pollutant concentration declined). Due to the natural intra-annual variability of benthic community dynamics it is likely to take 5-10 years for a stable change in the benthic community to be expressed. Although the sampling continued at these sites from 1974 through 1990 and was again started in 1998, there has not been a good funding base to analyze the benthic community samples since 1983. This time series of benthic data is of particular interest because it encompasses the period when exceptionally high concentrations of copper and silver we,r~ found in the benthic animals (1970’s) and the period when concentrations of the most enriched pollutants, copper and silver, declined (after 1981). It is of particular interest to us that the community be examined during the period 1977-1989, when the downward trends in copper content of animals correlated with reduced Cu discharges from the PARWQCP, and during the 1980’s and 1990’s when the silver concentrations declined (Homberger et al. 1999, 2000). Short-term funding has allowed us to analyze the reproductive activity ofMacoma balthica through 1997 (Thompson and Nichols 1988; Homberger et al. 1999, 2000), but this funding is no longer available. No data has been analyzed since 1997 despite it’s apparent promise in showing the positive effects of reducing metal exposure (see Hornberger et al. 2000). We propose here that samples will be analyzed at a frequency of no more than one per month. We learned in our analyses of the early (1974 through 1983) sampling (Nichols and Thompson 1985a, 1985b) that benthic samples need to be collected at a maximum time step of every other month in order to distinguish seasonal differences from inter-annual differences if the differences are small. In dynamic systems such as San Francisco Bay, distinguishing between the effects of natural seasonal changes and anthropogenic environmental stressors is more probable with more frequent samples. We are not sure what degree of change we might see in this longer study and thus we will retain the Option of examining all of the data for all of the years. Objectives The purpose of this program is to ch~acterize long term trends in benthic community structure and reproductive activity ofMacoma balthica near the discharge of the PARWQCP. It is our goal to describe these characterizations with simple measures. For example, changes in community structure will be described as number of species, number of individuals of dominant species (i.e. benthic communities in more polluted environments are expected to have fewer species, and higher numbers of individuals for the dominant species than benthic communities in non-polluted environments). Reproductive activity will be reported as the total percentage of animals reproductively active for each year; we know from previous work that this percentage is lowest during periods with the highest pollutant concentrations (Homberger et al. 1999, 2000). Coincident near field monitoring of trace element concentrations in sediment-and clams (Luoma study) will allow us to compare changes in the reproductive activity and benthic community structure with changes in metal accumulation in animals. The analyses will be conducted in a manner that will provide high-quality data that are compatible with data collected historically, and with data provided by programs such as the Regional Monitoring Program. Specific objectives are_separated into three priorities and include the following: Priori _ty 1: Historical Benthic Community Analyses (1974-2000) ¯Provide data (1978-1990, 1998-2000) to assess seasonal and annual trends in benthic cornmunity structure at a location near the discharge (specifically at the site designated in the RWQCB’s Self-Monitoring Program for PARWQCP). ¯Assess seasonal and annual trends in benthic community structure (1974-2000) at a location near the discharge (specifically at the site designated in the, RWQCB’s Self- Monitoring Program for PARWQCP). ¯Present the data within the context of historical changes inshore in South Bay and within Priority 2: the context of on-going monitoring of effluents. Reproductive Activity ofMacoma balthica (1998-2000) ¯Provide data to assess seasonal and annual trends in reproductive activity of clams near the discharge; specifically at the site designated in the RWQCB’s Self-Monitoring Program for PARWQCP Coordinate sampling efforts with inshore receiving water monitoring, programs by Luoma Priority 3: On-going Benthic Communi _ty Analyses (2001-2003) ¯Begin continuous monitoring to assess seasonal and annual trends in benthic community structure in the future at one location near the discharge (specifically at the site designated in the RWQCB’s Self-Monitoring Program for PARWQCP) Coordinate sampling efforts with inshore receiving water monitoring programs by Luoma The approach described below has been shown to be effective in relating changes in near field contamination to changes in benthic community structure (Kennish, 1998) and in reproductive activity of a clam (Hornberger et al. 2000), despite the complexities inherent in monitoring natural systems. By providing historical data, we will provide a context within which cause and effect can be assessed for change in the future. If the study is continued (Priority 3), we will build on a unique data set where ecological data and contaminant data are concurrently collected and analyzed within the context of changing sewage treatment practices. This monitoring effort would act asa local extension of the Regional Monitoring Program. The coordination with Luoma’s study will provide an environmental, context for interpreting results. Approach The historical benthic community data will be analyzed in a manner similar to that used in published benthic studies near sewage treatment outfalls (see Kennish 1998). The proposed approach will examine species dominance patterns and community composition changes in combination with environmental variables. Other studies have shown that more oppommistic species are likely to persist in highly disturbed, environments (as was shown by Nichols and Thompson (1985a) at this location in 1974 through 1983) and thus we might expect to see a shift in community composition if a major disturbance factor has been metal contamination. We might also expect to see shifts in the benthic community with changes in the concentrations of specific metals. particularly sensitive to elevated copper (Morrisey et al. 1996, Rygg 1985) and that most taxonomic groups have species that are sensitive to elevated silv.er (Luoma et al. 1995). For example it has been shown that some crustacean and polychaete species are ~ Analysis of the trace element concentration in the tissues ofMacoma balthica, as done by Luoma, provides a measure of their exposure to bioavailable pollutants and an estimate of food chain exposures. This does not however, examine the physiological effect of.the metal exposure onthe animal. One of the more common animal responses to an environmental stressor is a change in reproductive activity. Earlier studies (Homberger et al 2000) have shown that reproductive activity ofMacoma balthica has increased with declining heavy metal concentration in animals from this location. Therefore, reproductive activity ofMacoma balthica appears to be a good indicator of physiological stress by pollutants at this location. Benthic community structure and reproductive activity are proposed to be continuously monitored at station FN45. These data will be analyzed in a manner similar to that used for the historical data (see Priorities 1 and 2), and will be collected concurrently with trace element samples collected by Luoma. Therefore this monitoring will provide a time series ofber~thic community and reproductive activity response to pollutant levels. Sample Locations/Frequency Samples have been collected at a station located south of Sand. Point (Figure 1): station FN45 is 12 m from the edge of the marsh and 110 cm above MLLW. The location of the benthic station, on a mudflat on the shore of the bay (not a slough) 1 kilometer south of the Palo Alto discharge, is influenced by the discharge of PARWQCP, but is not immediately adjacent to that discharge. Thus this location reflects a response of receiving waters to the effluent, beyond just a measure of the effluent itself. Earlier studies have shown that dyes, natural organic materials in San Francisquito Creek and wasters in the PAWQCP discharge all move predominantly south toward Sand Point and thereby influence the mudflats in the vicinity of Sand Point,-Earlier work by Luoma showed that San Francisquito Creek and the Yacht Harbor were minor sources of most trace elements compared to the PARWQCP. Sampling Methods Samples for benthic community analysis and reproductive activity have been collected using two sizes of cores during the 1974-2000 period (8.5 cm diameter x 20 cm deep; 16.5 cm x 10 cmx 23 cm deep). Two.replicate samples were taken with the larger core and three replicate samples were taken with the smaller core during each sampling date. There are several instances when both sizes of cores were used concurrently (Table 1) so it will be possible to describe any change in variance associated with core size. Samples have been collected at varying intervals (ranging from monthly to semi-annually) as shown in table 1, and as explained above all samples will be analyzed. Samples will continue to be collected from station FN45 as part of the continuous monitoring study (Priority 3).. Three.replicate samples will be collected using the 8.5 cm diameter x 20 cm deep core for the monitoring study. Samples for analysis of reproductive activity have been collected since January 1998 concurrently with the clam and sediment collection of the Luoma study. There will be near- monthly samples for January 1998 through December 2000 (Priority 2). A minimum of 10 individual Macorna balthica of varying sizes (minimum of 5mm) have been and will be collected for this phase of the study. The same collect program will be continued as part of the continuous monitoring study (Priority 3). Laboratory Analysis Benthic community samples have been (1974-2000), and will be (Priority 3, continuous monitoring) washed on a 0.5mm screen and preserved. Samples will be sorted to species level where possible (some groups are still not well defined in the bay, such as the oligochaetes) and individuals for each species will be enumerated. Samples willbe currated by the USGS until it can be arranged for the California Academy of Sciences (CAS) to take this collection; CAS has our earlier, 10 year, sample collection and they have shown interest in adding future samples from this loe, ation to their San Francisco Bay Collection. A minimum of 10 clams will be processed for reproductive activity each month. Clams have been immediately preserved in 10% formalin at the time of collection. In the laboratory, the visceral mass of each clam will be removed, stored in 70% ethyl alcohol, and then prepared using standard histological techniques: tissues will be dehydrated in a graded series of alcohol, cleared in toluene (twice for one hour each), and infiltrated in a saturated solution of toluene and Paraplast for one hour, and two changes of melted Tissuemat for one hour each. Samples will then be embedded in Paraplast in a vacuum chamber and then thinsectioned (10 microm~eter) using a microtome. Sections will be stained with Harris’ hematoxylin and eosin. The stained thin sections will be examined with a light microscope. Each individual will be characterized by size (length in mm), sex, developmental stage, and condition of gonads, thus allowing each specimen to be placed in one of five qualitative classes of gonadal development (previously described by Parchaso 1993). Data Analysis: Methods All benthic community data analysis will be done in a hierarchy of sample frequency. We will examine biannual fi’equencies, which are available for all years, then we will examine quarterly samples that are available for most years, and finally we will examine bimonthly and monthly samples for the years when the data is available. The periods when the benthic community was sampled most frequently (i.e. monthly in 1977, 1979-1980, 1983-1984,and 1988- 89), brackets the time period of the largest change in metal concentration, so we are hopeful that even small changes in the community will be visible. The extension of this study into the 1998- 2000 sampling period will allow us to compare annual patterns during these early years with the patterns in 1998-2000, when trace element concentrations were relatively low. The benthic community data will be examined using multivariate techniques. Multivariate classification and ordination analysis of the benthic community data and environmental data will allow us to identify the environmental variables correlated with community change. Multivariate analysis is appealing because it incorporates the identity and relative abundance of each species into one test and allows a comparison of ordinations of the environmental and benthic community data (where ordination is the arrangement of species and environment data in such a manner as to optimally organize and group the species data). Environmental data will include time series data, when available, ofphytoplankton biomass, salinity, freshwater inflow, temperature, wind velocity (a surrogate for resuspension and erosion potential of the benthic fauna living in the shallow reaches of the bay), and body burdens of trace elements in bivalves. Data for individual species will also be examined to determine if there are any population changes as a result of metal concentration changes. The time series for individual species will be examined in the hierarchy of frequencies as described above, with frequencies varying from biannual to monthly frequency, and will be examined in conjunction with time seri~s of environmental factors, including trace metal concentration. The reproductive stage data will be similarly analyzed as a time series in conjunction with environmental data and benthic community data. Data Analysis: Products _ Data will be summarized and reported to Palo Alto at the completion of each year. Each annual report will be consistent with the Regional Monitoring Program reporting format and will be coordinate,d with the Palo Alto near-field receiving water monitoring programs of Sam Luoma fi:om the USGS...Appendices will include species lists, species counts, and basic analytical and computational data for the benthic community and reproductive data.. The report will include interpretive figures and tables that show the data as a part of the of the long-term time series; annual plots and tables will be shown separately for data beginning in 2001. Summary, multi- year reports will include analysis of the data within the contex~ of the historical change of trace element concentration as reported by Hornberger et al. (1999) and that being concurrently studied by Luoma. Budget The budget for the proposed project is outlined in Tables 2-4. This proposal describes work that will begin January 2001 and continue for three years, through December 2003. Renewal each January will be at the discretion of Palo Alto. Bibliography Hornberger, M., S. Luoma, D. Cain, F. Parchaso, C. Brown, R. Bouse, C. Wellise, and J. Thompson. 1999. Bioaccumulation of metals by the bivalve Macoma balthica at a site in South San Francisco Bay between 1977 and 1997: Long-term trends and associated biological effects with changing pollutant loadings. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 99-55, 42p. Homberger, M., S. Luoma, D. Cain, F. Parchaso, C. Brown, R. Bouse, C. Wellise, and J. Thompson. 2000. Linkage ofbioaccumulation and biological effects to changes in pollutant loads in South San Francisco Bay. Environmental Science and Technology, 34:2401-2409. Kennish, J.K. 1998. Pollution impacts on marine biotic communities. CRC Press, New York. 310 pp. Luoma, S.N., Y.B. Ho, and G. W. Bryan, 1995. Fate, bioavailability and toxicity of silver in estuarine environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 31:44-54 .Morrisey, D.J., A.J. Underwood, and L. Howitt. 1996. Effects of copper on the faunas of marine soft-sediments: an experimental field study, Marine Biology 125:199-213 Nichols, F.N, and J.K. Thompson. 1985a. Persistence of an introduced mudflat community in South San Francisco Bay, California. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 24:83-97. Nichols, F.N, and. J.K. Thompson. 1985b. Time scales of change in the San Francisco Bay benthos. Hydrgbiologia. 129:121-138 89. Rygg, B. 1985. Effect of sediment copper on benthic fauna. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 25:83- Thompson, J.K and F. N. Nichols. 1988. Food availability controls seasonal cycle of growth in Macoma balthica (L.) in San Francisco Bay, California. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 116:43-61. Table 1. Benthic Sample Status showing samples needing processing with proposal priority shown. Date Core Dimension 2/1/74 8.5cm diameter 3/3/74 8.5era diameter 4/9/74 8.5cm diameter 5/7/74 8.5cm diameter 6/5/74 8.5cm diameter 7/5/74 8.5cm diameter 8/4/74 8.5cm diameter 9/16/74 8.5cm diameter 10/14/74 8.Sere diameter 11/11/74 8.5cm diameter 12/10/74 8.5cm diameter 1/8/75 8.Sem diameter 2/6/75 8.5cm diameter 3/31/75 8.5cm diameter 5/29/75 8.5cm diameter 7/24/75 8.5cm diameter 10/2/75 8.5cm diameter 11/13/75 8.5cm diameter 1/27/76 8.5cm diameter 4/5/76 8.5cm diameter 6/3/76 8.5cm diameter 8/12/76 8.5cm diameter 10/30/76 8.5cm diameter 12/16/76 8,5cm diameter 2/14/77 8.5cm diameter 8/30/77 8.5cm diameter 3/2/78;8.5cm diameter 8/18/78 8.5cm diameter 3/22/79 8.5cm diameter 6/13/79 16.5x10cm 7/26/79 16.Sx10cm 8/7/79 8.Sere diameter 8/23/79 16.Sx10cm 9/21/79 16.Sx10cm 10/4/79 16.5x10cm 11/29/79 16.Sxl0cm 12/27/79 16.5x10cm 1/28/80 16.Sxl0em 2/20/80 16.Sxl0cm 3/12/80 8.5cm diameter 3/19/80 16.Sxl0cm 4/22/80 16.5x10cm 5/20/80 16.Sx10cm 7/1/80 16.Sx10em 8/12/80 16.Sx10cm 8/12/80 8.Sere diameter 10/24/80 16.Sx10cm 12/16/80 16.Sx10cm 3/10/81 16.Sx10cm tt-I completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed H-2 completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed 1:I-3 completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed eompieted completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed Priorit~ 1 completed completed completed Priorit), Priorit~ Priorit~ Priorit~ Priorit~ Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priority Priorit~ Priority Priority Priorit~ 1 Priorit~ 1 Priori~ 1 Priority 1 Priorit~ 1 completed Table 1. eon’t Date 3/10/81 4/23/81 7/8/81 8/18/81 10/14/81 2/3/82 5/11/82 8/19/82 1/11/83 1/11/83 2/8/83 2/22/83 3/10/83 4/7/83 5/4/83 5/18/83 6/3/83 7/13/83 7/13/83 8/10/83 8/10/83 9/7/83 10/5/83 11/3/83 12/16/83 12/16/83 1/24/84 2/21/84 2/21/84 3/20/84 4/20/84 5/18/84 5/18/84 6/20/84 7/19/84 8/14/84 8/14/84 9/28/84 10/24/84 11/5/84 12/20/84 1/15/85 2/13/85 5/8/85 8119/85 1 I/11/85 2/3/86 3/5/86 5/18/86 8/7/86 12/29/86 Core Dimension 8.5era diameter 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5em diameter 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0em 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 16.5x 10em 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0em 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl 0cm 16.5x 10cm 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0em 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0cm 16.5xl0cm 8.5cm diameter 16.5xl0em 16.5xl0em 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter 8.5cm diameter H-1 completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed e0mpleted completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 H-2 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority I Priority 1 completed completed Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority 1 completed Priority 1 completed completed Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority I completed completed "completed Priority 1 completed completed completed completed completed completed Priority 1 completed completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 H-3 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority I Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Table 1. con’t Date Core Dimension 6/29/88 8.5cm diameter 8/1/88 8.5cm diameter 9/9/88 8.5cm diameter i0/10/88 8.5era diameter 11/21/88 8.5era diameter 12/19/88 8,5era diameter 1/3/89 8.5em diameter 1/30/89 8.5era diameter 2/27/89 8.5era diameter 3/15/89 8.5cm diameter 4/11/89 8.5cm diameter- 5/5/89 8.5cm diameter 6/8/89 8.5cm diameter 7/7/89 8.5era diameter 8/2/89 8.5em diameter 9/1/89 8.5cm diameter 9/29/89 8.5era diameter 11/8/89 8.5cm diameter 12/7/89 8.5em diameter 1/5/90 8.5em diameter 3/28/90 8.5era diameter Jun-98 8.5cm diameter Jul-98 8.5cm diameter Aul~-98 8.5em diameter Sep-98 8.5cm diameter Oct-98 8.5cm diameter Nov-98 8.5cm diameter Dec-98:8.5cm diameter Jan-99 8.5cm diameter Feb-99 8.5cm diameter Mar-99 8.5cm diameter Apr-99 8.5cm diameter May-99 8.5cm diameter Jun-99 8.5cm diameter Jul-99 8.5cm diameter Aug-99 8.5cm diameter Sep-99 8.5cm diameter Oct-99:8.5cm diameter Nov-99 8.5era diameter Dec-99 8.5cm diameter Jan-00 8.5cm diameter Feb-00 8.5cm diameter Mar-00 8.5cm diameter Apt-00~. 8.5cm diameter May-00 8.5cm diameter Jun-00 8.5cm diameter Jul-00 8.5cm diameter Aug-00 8.5em diameter Sep-00 8.5cm diameter Oct-00 8.5cm diameter Nov-00 8.5cm diameter Dec-00 8.5cm diameter Jan 2001 through Dec 2003 8.5cm diameter H-1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority. 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 3 ’H-2 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priorityl Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 3 H-3 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed " Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 completed completed completed Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 ¯ Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 -Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 1 Priori ,ty 3, Budget Year 1: Priority 1: Historical Benthic Community Analyses (1974-2000) Activi _ty Salar~z Supplies Analyses Sample Processing 1,427 25,000 Summarize Data 5,709 Final Report 2,854 Sample Collection (2001)_ _471 660 Subtotal 10,461 660 25,000 Total Direct Costs Indirect Costs (%) Total Costs Priority 2: Reproductive Activity ofMacoma balthica (1998-2000) Activity Salary Supplies Analyses Sample Processing Summarize Data Final Report Subtotal Total Direct Costs Indirect Costs (%) Total Costs 471 1,200 1,132 1,132 2,735 1,200 36,121 17,497 53,619 3,935 1,906 5,841 Subtotal.40,056 Indirect Costs 19,403 Total .59,460 Year 2: Priority 3 Benthic Community Analyses/Reproductive Activity Analysis (1998-2000) Activi _ty Salary Supplies Analyses Sample Collection (2002)714 700 Benthic: Sample Processing (2001-2002)2,283 Benthic: Summarize Data (2001-2002)2,283 Benthic: Final Report (2001,2002)2,283 Reproduction: Sample Processing (2001-2002)714 Reproduction: Analysis/ Final Report (1998-2002)3,396 5,000 1,400 Subtotal 11,674 700 6,400 Total Direct Costs 18,774 Indirect Costs (%)9,094 Total Costs 27,868 Year 3: Priority 3 Continuous Monitoring of Benthic Community and Reproductive Activity (2003-) Activi _ty Salary_ Sample Collection (2003)856 Benthic: Sample Processing (2003)1,427 Benthic: Summarize Data (2003)1,427 Benthic: Final Report (1974-2003)2,854 Reproduction: Sample Processing (2003)714 Supplies Analyses 750 2,800 8O0 Reproduction: Analysis/ Final Report (2003)3,396 Subtotal Total Direct Costs Indirect Costs (%) Total Costs 9,543 750 3,600 13,893 6,730 20,622