Nutrient Criteria Development Documents
These technical support documents describe the scientific approaches used to develop numeric nutrient criteria for adoption in state and Tribal water quality standards by states, territories and authorized Tribes. Additional technical support is also available through the Nutrient Scientific Technical Exchange Partnership and Support website (N-STEPS Online).
Using Stress-Response Relationships to Derive Numeric Nutrient Criteria
This technical support document describes a four-step approach for estimating and interpreting nutrient stressor-response relationships to derive numeric nutrient criteria for any waterbody type.
Lakes and Reservoirs
The Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Lakes and Reservoirs provides scientifically defensible technical support in developing numeric nutrient criteria to protect the designated uses of lakes and reservoirs.
Rivers and Streams
The Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Rivers and Streams provides scientifically defensive technical support in developing numeric nutrient criteria to protect the designated uses of rivers and streams.
- Algal Indicators in Streams (pdf) - This summary paper describes the use of algal indicators to develop water quality diagnostics for nutrient pollution for streams in the United States and reviews scientific developments in the application of algal indicators across the world.
- Expert Workshop: Nutrient Enrichment Indicators in Streams (pdf) - The EPA published this summary report of an experts workshop that describes biological response indicators that can be incorporated into numeric nutrient criteria that are protective of designated uses in streams.
Estuarine and Coastal Waters
The Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Estuarine and Coastal Marine Waters provides scientifically defensible technical support in developing numeric nutrient criteria to protect the designated uses of estuaries and coastal marine waters.
- Nutrients in Estuaries (pdf) - The EPA published this summary report of a multi-year experts workshop that describes the complexity of nutrients in estuaries and contains potential approaches and case studies that water resource managers can use when developing estuarine nutrient criteria.
Wetlands
The Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Wetlands provides scientifically defensible technical support in developing numeric nutrient criteria to protect the designated uses of wetlands.
- Technical Documents to Aid States in Assessing Nutrients in Wetlands - The EPA published additional documents to help states and Tribes build their capacity to monitor and assess the biological and nutrient conditions of wetlands.