| Copper antifouling boat paints are known to be a significant source of copper (Toxics TMDL for San Diego Creek/Newport Bay Ca. USEPA 2000). These paints are designed to leach copper into the water, to reduce fouling on boat bottoms with barnacles and algae. Unfortunately, copper and other metals are known to be toxic to fish and other aquatic species. Coastkeeper is committed to addressing the issue of copper in the Back Bay.
- What? A 3-year public campaign to encourage boaters to switch from copper paint to non-toxic alternatives.
- Who? The project will be a cooperative effort between O.C.Coastkeeper, the City of Newport Beach, and Trace Marine Services.
- Why? The goal of the project is to improve water quality in Newport Bay and reduce dissolved copper levels in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina to below Calffornia Toxics Rule (CTR) criteria. The objective is to create a situation where non-toxic bottom paint is on the whole competitive with coppe- based paints, so that boaters do not see a major downside to using non-toxic paint. The outcome will be reduced copper loads and improved water quality in the Bay, and a situation where the use of non-toxic bottom paints is common and is the preferred choice for boaters.
- How? In order to achieve our goals, we will use the following methods:
- Public Policy- A resolution by the city of Newport Beach to eliminate the use of toxic bottom paint in Newport Bay, and the implementation of specific city policies to motivate boaters to switch to non-toxic bottom paints.
- Boater Education- Coastkeeper, the City of Newport Beach, and Trace Marine Services will educate boaters on the problems copper pollution is causing in the bay, the benefits of non-toxic bottom paints, and the non-toxic bottom paint options available.
- Financial Incentives - We will provide a small monetary incentive based on a percentage of the cost for the boat owner to switch to non-toxic paint.
- Resources & Support- We will assist cooperating local boatyards and hull cleaning services in identifying and supporting the use of appropriate non-toxic bottom paints and developing non-toxic paint services.
- Water Monitoring-
We will conduct water monitoring for dissolved copper in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina to document improvements in water quality, and analyze the data to determine the copper load reductions achieved in Balboa Yacht Basin Marina and harbor wide.
- Background: In April of 2006 Orange County Coastkeeper began a study to investigate the contribution of copper from copper based boat paints to the water and sediment in the marinas of Lower Newport Bay. According to the USEPA, over fifty thousand pounds of copper leaches form bottom paint in Newport Bay each year. This study was designed to find out what happens to that copper once it is released into the marina.Does the copper remain in the marina water become adsorbed into the sediments, or is it flushed out of the bay with the tides?
- Why is this research important? The State Board Copper Antifouling Paint Workgroup is currently investigating the contribution of copper from antifouling boat paints to marinas, as are other regional water boards and local agencies. This study provides useful data to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and state workgroup to help facilitate the development of the Metals TDML for Lower Newport Bay. Coastkeeper conducted this study under a contract from the city of Newport Beach, with funding provided by the Santa Ana Regional Control Board. The toxicity testing was funded by the California EPA Department of Pesticide Regulation.
- How we did it: For ____, water and sediment samples were collected from 8 marinas and the adjacent channels in the Lower Newport Bay, and analyzed for copper and other metals such as nickel, chromium, lead, arsenic, nickel, tin, cadmium, and zinc. The resulting data shows us the presence of copper and other metals in water and sediment, and concentrations in marinas compared to channel sites. This water and sediment quality data was critical to determining if copper boat paints are a significant source of contamination in Lower Newport Bay.
- The Final Report is out! The Final Report of the Lower Newport Bay Copper/Metals Marina Study details the levels of copper, zinc, mercury and lead found in the water and sediment throughout the bay. Water tests indicated concentrations of dissolved copper at levels higher than established standards, but showed no toxicity. Sediment samples showed high levels of toxicity in two marinas and significant toxicity in four more marinas that resulted in mortality to organisms exposed to the samples.
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