Climate Change Impact Analysis of Cape Cod Embayments

---

HydroAnalysis developed a plan to study the potential effects of climate change on Cape Cod embayments. The analysis was focused on the potential for climate change to worsen the nitrogen-impaired conditions of Cape Cod embayments. We identified the specific data collection, computer modeling, and analyses that would be needed to implement a climate change study of nitrogen in embayments. As part of the study, we identified a menu of three increasingly more complex approaches to conducting a climate change effects study. The level of complexity, level of uncertainty, and estimated costs were specified for each alternative to provide information to support EPA decision-making. The study included evaluation of the potential for precipitation, sea level, temperature, ocean acidification, and other factors to change with climate change and affect nitrogen concentrations in embayments. HydroAnalysis wrote and submitted a climate change feasibility study report that clearly described climate change study alternatives, strengths and weaknesses, levels of uncertainty, and estimated costs.

This project was conducted for US EPA Region 1 through the WaterVision joint venture.