Volunteers needed for harbor circulation study this weekend

Community members, scientists, and others interested in the water quality of Pillar Point Harbor, north of Half Moon Bay, are participating in an effort to identify the sources of bacteria in the harbor and develop a plan for remediation.  A critical component of this effort will be a circulation study to illuminate how pollution travels within and out of the harbor.  
 
The study will be conducted Saturday, September 27 through Monday, September 29.  Many volunteers will be needed for this effort, on shore and in boats and kayaks.
 
Click below for a description of the project. 

For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering to help complete the study:

• Visit the project web page, www.sanmateorcd.org/harbor.html. 
• Visit the Harbor District web page, http://www.smharbor.com/.
• Attend any monthly public board meeting of the RCD.
• Call the RCD directly at (650)712-8938.

The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) is directing a study to identify the sources of bacteria in Pillar Point Harbor and develop a plan to address them.  A circulation study will help illuminate how pollution travels within and out of the harbor.

What does the study entail?

Two dyes, Rhodamine and Fluorocene, will be released in select locations in the harbor. Water will be sampled in multiple locations and at different depths to track how dye travels, providing information about how pollution travels.  In addition, oranges will be tagged and released from various locations in the harbor.  These will be tracked to see where they travel and land, providing more information about how pollutants may flow.

Where will dye be released?

On September 19th, a small amount of dye will be released in a trial run at the breakwater. On September 27th, dye will be released from three sites within the harbor (most likely in the inner harbor, at Capistrano Beach, and from the marsh).  The exact locations will be determined based on site-specific constraints.

What will it look like?

This depends on how close one is to the point of release, how long it is after the release, and how water circulates in the harbor.  Often, dye is not highly visible and sensitive instruments must be used to detect presence.  Rhodamine is a pinkish-red color and Flurocene is a greenish-yellow color.  Don’t expect the harbor to change color.  If dye is visible, it will likely appear in isolated patches or streaks.

How long will the dye last?

This depends in part on how the harbor circulates and flushes, which is unknown and is the reason for the study.  The dyes degrade naturally within 2 to 7 days.

Are the dyes safe?

Rhodamine and Fluorocene are the two dyes used most frequently in these types of environmental studies. When released into the harbor, they will immediately become diluted.  Known potential adverse reactions occur with direct contact at high concentrations. More information about the dye release, including a Quality Assurance Project Plan and a Monitoring Plan approved by the State Water Resources Control Board, as well as Material Safety Data Sheets, are available in hard copy and electronically at the contacts listed below.