Is the U.S. EPA Water Quality Criterion for Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) Protective for Coral Reef Organisms?

NOAA Science Seminar Series


Title: Is the U.S. EPA Water Quality Criterion for Total Ammonia Nitrogen Protective for Coral Reef Organisms?

Presenter(s): Dr. Cheryl Woodley, NOS NCCOS Charleston Laboratory, Charleston, SC

Sponsor: NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program

Seminar Contact: Caroline Donovan, caroline.donovan@noaa.gov

Remote access: Adobe Connect 
1. To join the meeting: http://noaacsc.adobeconnect.com/coralscollab/
2. Click the microphone at the top of the screen to connect audio.

Accessibility: Live closed captioning will be provided.

Abstract:  In U.S. waters 22 species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act; three additional species are listed as endangered. Anthropogenically derived nutrient pollution (largely due to nitrogen pollution) is dramatically affecting global nitrogen cycling and oligotrophic coral reef ecosystems. Nutrient loading in tropical waters can have detrimental effects on coral reef ecosystems. The total ammonia as nitrogen (TAN) is an important measure of nutrient loading resulting from decaying organic matter, agricultural runoff, or sewage input. Ammonia (NH₃) is one of the most toxic constituents of nitrogen pollution in aquatic environments. The current National Water Quality Criteria (WQC) for ammonia in saltwater was set by EPA in 1989 and is based on toxicity studies with crustaceans, bivalve mollusks and fishes. The chronic criterion specifies a 4-day average concentration of 0.035mg/L of unionized ammonia (UAN) not to be exceeded more than once every 3years, the acute criterion specifies a 1-h average concentration of 0.223 mg/LUAN not to be exceeded more than once every 3 years. With recent declines of shallow-water coral reefs, the threat-potential of ammonia toxicity for recently ESA-listed corals is unknown. Understanding the effects of TAN in near shore waters is a critical tool for managing coral reefs and associated recovery efforts. We will present insights into the effects of ammonia on sea urchin embryos and coral at various life stages.

Bio:  Dr. Cheryl Woodley serves as a Research Scientist with NOAA’s National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science at Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. With experience in biochemistry, cellular biology and pathobiology, Cheryl leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on understanding the effects of physical, chemical and/or biological risk factors affecting the conservation and management of vulnerable shallow-water coral reef species. Dr. Woodley also holds a graduate faculty position at the College of Charleston and serves as the coordinator for the Coral Disease and Health Consortium, a working group of the U. S. Coral Reef Taskforce. Dr. Woodley completed her doctorate in Molecular, Cellular and Pathobiology in the Biochemistry Department at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, studying serine proteases in the kallikrein-kinin system and received specialized training in virology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

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(Cheryl Woodley, NOS NCCOS, Charleston, SC)