# AN INTEGRATED SURFACE WATER QUALITY

MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SOUTH

FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS

FY2002 Cumulative Report to the South Florida Water

Management District (Contract No. C-10244-A2)



# Which includes the waters of:

FLORIDA BAY

WHITEWATER BAY

TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS

BISCAYNE BAY

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SHELF

CAPE ROMANO-PINE ISLAND SOUND

Prepared by:

Joseph N. Boyer, Ph.D.

Ronald D. Jones, Ph.D.

Southeast Environmental Research Center

Florida International University

Miami, FL 33199

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/

# 2 

# AN INTEGRATED SURFACE WATER QUAL ITY MONITORING PROGRAM FOR

THE SOUTH FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS

FY2002 Cumulative Report to the South Florida Water Management District

(Contract No. C-10244-A2)

Joseph N. Boyer and Ronald D. Jones, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida

International University, Miami, FL 33199 http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report summarizes the existing data from the FIU South Florida Estuarine Water Quality

Monitoring Network. This includes water quality da ta collected from 28 stations in Florida Bay,

22 stations in Whitewater Bay, 25 stations in Ten Thousand Islands, 25 stations in Biscayne Bay,

49 stations on the Southwest Florida Shelf (Shelf ), and 28 stations in the Cape Romano-Pine

Island Sound area. Each of the stations in Flor ida Bay were monitored on a monthly basis with

monitoring beginning in March 1991; Whitewate r Bay monitoring began in September 1992;

Biscayne Bay monthly monitoring began Septem ber 1993; the SW Florida Shelf was sampled

quarterly beginning in spring 1995; and monthl y sampling in the Cape Romano-Pine Island

Sound area started January 1999.

We have continued our systematic analysis and interpretation starting with the most

extensive dataset: Florida Bay. We have analyzed the data for spatial trends, temporal trends,

and for freshwater loading effects. Spatial anal ysis can be performed on data of relatively short

period of record, however, time series analysis usually requires a minimum 5 years before

significant trends can be recognized over th e background noise of inter-annual variability.

Therefore, the type of analysis performed on each estuary is determined by the length of the

record.

Trend analysis is an ongoing process; ecosystems change with climate and management

strategy, therefore, analytical results may change as more data is collected. It is also important

to understand that trend analysis alone will not necessarily provide cause and effect

relationships. One of the purposes of any monito ring program should be to use the data gained

by routine sampling to extend our understanding of the system by developing new hypotheses as

to the underlying driving processes. Much inferen ce into the behavior of South Florida estuaries

can be made from the observed magnitude and distribution of water quality parameters. This

type of multivariate approach should prove useful to scientists and managers faced with the task

of interpreting large water quality datasets. This monitoring program has been very useful in

helping to define restoration targets and will be even more valuable in determining whether these

goal are met.

Florida Bay

Most water quality variables during 2002 genera lly followed typical annual trends but there

were a couple exceptions. Do to normal rainfa ll, most of the bay did not experience any

prolonged periods of hypersalinity. The annua l pattern in CHLA in Western Bay was

unremarkable but there were periods of elevat ed CHLA (relative to annual median) during the

summer in Eastern and Central Bays. TP va lues in Central and Western Bays were

# 3 

# unremarkable but elevated concentrations were observed in Eastern Bay during both spring and

fall. Baywide DIN concentrations were genera lly lower than the long term annual median.

Turbidity continues fluctuate at post 1993 levels.

Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands

The influence of freshwater input from the Ev erglades is very significant to this region.

Large salinity variations are the norm, being driven by both climactic events and water

management practices. No hypersaline events were observed, as 2002 was a normal year of

precipitation. Except for a small summer increas e in Whitewater Bay and Gulf Islands CHLA,

levels of TP and DIN were relatively unremarkabl e. Finally, TOC continued its slow, long term

downward trend in the Mangrove Rivers.

Biscayne Bay

Salinity in Biscayne Bay is strongly influenced by its large tidal exchange with the ocean.

Nevertheless, canal inputs have a significant im pact as evidenced by the irregular salinity

fluctuations. 2002 was an unremarkable year for salinity, DIN, and turbidity. However,

increases in TP concentrations in all areas of the Bay are beginning to become discernable and

with that are some increases in CHLA as well. Not only are TP concentrations increasing, but so

is the variability. This is a trend we must watch closely to see if other impacts to the Biscayne

Bay’s ecosystem become noticeable.

Southwest Florida Shelf

Since this component of the monitoring program began in 1995 and is only sampled

quarterly, there is little trend data to analyze. Although these analyses are very preliminary (only

26 sampling events) it is possible to speculate th at the clusters are formed as a function of

hydrology and circulation patterns. We believe that the inshore cluster clearly shows the input of

freshwater from Shark River being transporte d south and east around the Cape. Water overlying

the shoal stations probably originates somewhere in or north of the Ten Thousand Islands. Our

level of resolution is very low due to the limited numbers of sampling events and by the

relatively large spatial gap between coastal and Shelf sampling sites. A better understanding of

local circulation patterns in addition to increased density and frequency of sampling in the

nearshore region may help define the coupling between freshwater inflow and Shelf water

quality

An important incident occurred on the Shelf in 2002: the “Blackwater” event. It was

observed in early 2002 and was picked up by our Janua ry sampling trip. The effects are seen as

a peak in CHLA and DIN at that time. Otherw ise, 2002 was relatively unremarkable. One thing

to look for in the future is the possible developm ent of an increasing tre nd in TP on the SHELF.

As of now it is not statistically significant.

Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound

As there are only four years of data in the record; we will reserve discussion of trends until

we have a significant time series. Aside from the effects of freshwater release, particularly in

Estero Bay, 2002 was unremarkable.

# 4 

# ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank all of our many field personnel, labor atory technicians, and data support staff for

their diligence and perseverance in this ongoing pr ogram. This project was possible due to the

continued funding by the South Florida Water Mana gement District (District Contract No. C10244-A2). We also thank Rookery Bay NERR/FD EP and the captains and crew of the R/V

Bellows of the Florida Institute of Oceanogr aphy for their field support of the monitoring

program.

This report is contribution #T-203 of the S outheast Environmental Research Center at

Florida International University.

# 5 

# TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Project Description

1.1. Background

1.2. Field and Analytical Methods

1.3. References

2. State of Water Quality in Florida Bay

3. State of Water Quality in Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands Complex

4. State of Water Quality in Biscayne Bay

5. State of Water Quality on the Southwest Florida Shelf

6. State of Water Quality in Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound Area

7. Publications Derived from this Project

8. Presentations Derived from this Project

9. Tables

9.1. List of fixed station location and sampling period of record.

9.2. Statistical summary of Florida Bay water quality variables by zone.

9.3. Statistical summary of Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands water quality by

zone.

9.4. Statistical summary of Biscayne Bay water quality variables by zone.

9.5. Statistical summary of Southwest Florida Shelf water quality variables by zone.

9.6. Statistical summary of Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area water quality

variables by zone.

# 6 

# 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1.1. Background

One of the primary purposes for conducting long- term monitoring projects is to be able to

detect trends in the measured parameters over time. These programs are usually initiated as a

response to public perception (and possibly some sc ientific data) that “the river-bay-prairieforest-etc. is dying”. In the case of Florida Bay, the major impetus was the combination of a

seagrass die-off, increased phytoplankton abundan ce, sponge mortality, and a perceived decline

in fisheries beginning in 1987. In response to these phenomena, a network of water quality

monitoring stations was established in 1989 to exp licate both spatial patterns and temporal trends

in water quality in an effort to elucidate mechanisms behind the recent ecological change.

This report summarizes the existing data from our South Florida Estuarine Water Quality

Monitoring Network (Fig. 1.1). This network includes water quality data collected from 28

stations in Florida Bay, 22 stations in Whitewate r Bay to Lostmans River, 25 stations in Ten

Thousand Islands, 25 stations in Biscayne Ba y, 49 stations on the Southwest Florida Shelf

(Shelf), and 28 stations in the Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area. Each of the stations in

Florida Bay were sampled on a monthly basis with monitoring beginning in March 1991 (except

stations 14, 19, 22, and 23 which began April 1991) . In July 1992, stations 25 through 28 were

added in Florida Bay. Monthly sampling at st ations #29-50 in Whitewater Bay were added to

the monitoring program in September 1992. Biscayne Bay monthly monitoring began

September 1993 for stations 100-125. In May 1996 an analysis of the data was performed to

address the adequacy of spatial coverage. At that time, 10 station locations in the Biscayne Bay

monitoring network were moved to provide c overage of North Biscayne Bay. The Ten

Thousand Islands sites 51-75 were begun in Sept. 1994, the Shelf was sampled quarterly

beginning in spring 1995, and the Cape Romano- Pine Island Sound area was started Jan. 1999.

A summary of station locations and sampling period of record is shown in Table 1.

# 7 

# Figure 1.1. Fixed station locations for the SFW MD funded portion of the FIU estuarine water

quality monitoring network.

# 8 

# 1.2. Field and Analytical Methods

Water samples were collected and analy zed by SERC personnel using standard methodology

outlined in the Quality Assurance Project Plan with prior approval from SFWMD and FDEP.

Salinity and temperature ( ° C) were measured 10 cm below the surface and 10 cm above the

bottom using a combination salinity-conductivity-tem perature probe (Orion model 140). Surface

and bottom dissolved oxygen (DO, mg l -1 

# ) was measured using an oxygen electrode (Orion

model 840), corrected for both salinity and temperature.

Duplicate, unfiltered water samples were co llected from 10 cm below the surface using

sample rinsed, 120 ml HDPE bottles and kept at ambient temperature in the dark during

transport. Duplicate water samples for dissolved nutrient analysis were collected using sample

rinsed 150 ml syringes. These samples were filtered by hand (25 mm glass fiber GF/F) into

acetone-washed and sample rinsed 60 ml HDP E bottles, which were then capped and

immediately placed on ice in the dark for tran sport. The wet filters, used for chlorophyll a

analysis (CHLA), were placed in 2 ml plastic centrifuge tubes to which 1.5 ml of 90% acetone

was added. They were then immediately capped and put into a dark bottle on ice for transport

(APHA 1999).

Unfiltered water samples were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN),

total phosphorus (TP), alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), and turbidity (NTU). TOC was

measured by direct injection onto hot platinum catalyst in a Shimadzu TOC-5000 after first

acidifying to pH<2 and purging with CO 2 

# -free air. TN was measured using an ANTEK 7000N

Nitrogen Analyzer using O 2 

# as carrier gas instead of argon to promote complete recovery of the

nitrogen in the water samples (Frankovich and Jones 1998). TP was determined using a dry

ashing, acid hydrolysis technique (Solorzano a nd Sharp 1980). The APA assay measures the

activity of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme us ed by bacteria to mineralize phosphate from

organic compounds (Hashimoto et al. 1985). This assay is performed by adding a known

concentration of an organic phosphate co mpound (o-methylfluorescein phosphate) to an

unfiltered water sample. Alkaline phosphatase in the water sample cleaves the phosphate,

leaving o-methylfluorescein, a highly fluorescent compound. The fluorescence of initial and 2 hr

incubations were measured using a Gilford Fl uoro IV spectrofluorometer (excitation = 430 nm,

emission = 507 nm) and subtr acted to give APA (μM h -1 

# ). Turbidity was measured using an HF

Scientific model DRT-15C turbidimeter and reported in NTU.

Filtrates were analyzed for soluble reac tive phosphorus (SRP), nitrate + nitrite (NO X - 

# ), nitrite

(NO 2 - 

# ), ammonium (NH 4 + 

# ), and silicate (Si(OH) 4 

# ) by flow injection analysis (Alpkem model

RFA 300). Filters for CHLA content (μg l -1 

# ) were allowed to extract fo r a minimum of 2 days at

-20° C before analysis. Extracts were analy zed using a Gilford Fluoro IV Spectrofluorometer

(excitation = 435 nm, emission = 667 nm) and comp ared to a standard curve of pure CHLA

(Sigma).

Some parameters were not measured directl y, but were calculated by difference. Nitrate

(NO 3 - 

# ) was calculated as NO X - 

# - NO 2 - 

# . Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was calculated as

NO X - 

# + NH 4 + 

# . Total organic nitrogen (TON) was defined as TN - DIN. Concen trations for all of

these water quality variables are reported in units of milligrams per liter (mg l -1 

# ) or the

equivalent parts per million (ppm), except where noted. All nutrient concentrations are based on

the atomic weight of primary nutrient species (ppm-N, ppm-P, and ppm-C), not the molecular

weight. All N:P ratios discussed are calculated on a molar basis.

# 9 

# 1.3. References

APHA. 1999. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Revised March 1983.

Frankovich, T. A., and R. D. Jones. 1998. A rapid, precise, and sensitive method for the

determination of total nitrogen in natural waters. Marine Chemistry 60 : 227-234.

Hashimoto, Kitao, and Keiichiro. 1985. Relationshi p between alkaline phosphatase activity and

orthophosphate in the present Tokyo Bay. Environ. Sci. Health A20 : 781-908)

Solorzano, L., and J. H. Sharp. 1980. Determ ination of total dissolved phosphorus and

particulate phosphorus in natural waters. Limnol. Oceanogr

. 25 : 754-758.

# 10 

# 2. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN FLORIDA BAY

Overall Period of Record

A spatial analysis of data from our monitoring program resulted in the delineation of 3

groups of stations, which have robust similaritie s in water quality (Fig. 2.1). We contend that

these spatially contiguous groups of stations are the result of similar hydrodynamic forcing and

processing of materials, hence we call them 'zone s of similar influence'. The Eastern Bay zone

acts most like a 'conventional' estuary in that it has a quasi-longitudinal salinity gradient caused

by the mixing of freshwater runoff with seaw ater. In contrast, the Central Bay is a

hydrographically isolated area with low and infre quent terrestrial freshwater input, a long water

residence time, and high evaporative potential. Th e Western Bay zone is the most influenced by

the Gulf of Mexico tides and is also isolated from direct overland freshwater sources.

Climactic changes occurring over the data coll ection period of record had major effects on

the health of the bay. Precipitation rebounded fr om the drought during the late 80's being equal

to or greater than the long term average (9.2 cm mo -1 

# ) for 11 of the last 12 years (Fig 2.2.). Early

in the record, salinity and total phosphorus (TP) c oncentrations declined baywide while turbidity

(cloudiness of the water) increased dramatically. The salinity decline in Eastern and Central

Florida Bay was dramatic early on and has since stabilized into a regular seasonal cycle (Fig.

2.3). The box-and-whisker plots presented in th is and following figures show the range (boxes

are quartiles; whiskers include 90% of data) and me dian (line in box) of the monthly data. Some

of this decrease in Eastern Bay could be account ed for by increased freshwater flows from the

Everglades but declines in other areas point to the climactic effect of increased rainfall during

this period. The Central Bay continues to e xperience hypersaline conditions (>35) during the

summer but the extent and duration of the events is much smaller.

Chlorophyll a concentrations (CHLA), a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, were particularly

dynamic and spatially heterogeneous (Fig. 2.4). The Eastern Bay generally has the lowest

CHLA while the Central Bay is highest. In th e Eastern Bay, which makes up roughly half of the

surface area of Florida Bay, CHLA has declined by 0.9 μg l -1 

# or 63%. Most of this decline

occurred over a few months in the spring/summer of 1994 and has remained relatively stable.

The isolated Central Bay zone underwent a 5-fo ld increase in CHLA from 1989-94 then rapidly

declined to previous levels by 1996. In Western Florida Bay, there was a significant increase in

CHLA, yet median concentrations remained modest (2 μg l -1 

# ) by most estuarine standards.

There were significant blooms in Central and Western Bay immediately following Hurricanes

Georges (Nov. 1998) but it was Hurricane Irene’s la rge rainfall input (Oct. 1999) which spiked

the largest blooms all throughout the bay. It is important to note that these changes in CHLA

(and turbidity) happened years after the poorly -understood seagrass die-off in 1987. It is

possible that the death and decomposition of la rge amounts of seagrass biomass might partially

explain some of the changes in water quality of Florida Bay but the connections are temporally

disjoint and the processes indirect and not well understood.

As mentioned previously, TP concentrations have declined baywide over the 12 year period

of record (Fig. 2.5). As with sa linity, most of these declines occurred in the early record. Unlike

most other estuaries, increased terrestrial runo ff may have been partially responsible for the

decrease in TP concentrations in the Eastern Bay. This is because the TP concentrations of the

runoff are at or below ambient leve ls in the bay. The elevated TP in the Central Bay is mostly

due to concentration effect of high evaporati on. Recently, there have been significant peaks

during the fall season in both Eastern and Wester n Bays. It is important to understand that

# 11 

# almost all the phosphorus measured as TP is in the form of organic matter which is less

accessible to plants and algae than inorganic phosphate.

The dissolved inorganic nitrogen pool (DIN) is made up of ammonium (NH 4 + 

# ), nitrate (NO 3 -



# ), and nitrate (NO 2 - 

# ). The Western Bay is lowest in DI N; phytoplankton in this region may be

limited by N availability on a regular basis (Fig. 2.6). DIN in the Eastern Bay is a little higher

and is mostly in the form of NO 3 - 

# while highest levels are found in the Central Bay as NH 4 +



# . Turbidity in the Central and Western Bays have increased tremendously since 1991 (Fig.

2.7). Turbidity in Eastern Bay increased 2-fo ld from 1991-93, while Central and Western Bays

increased by factors of 20 and 4, respectively. Tu rbidity across the bay has since stabilized and

possibly declined but certainly not to previous levels. In general, the Eastern Bay has the

clearest water, which is due to a combination of factors such as high seagrass cover, more

protected basins, low tidal energy, and shallow se diment coverage. We are unsure as to the

cause but the loss of seagrass coverage may have de stabilized the bottom so that it is more easily

disturbed by wind events.

2002 Alone

Most water quality variables during 2002 genera lly followed typical annual trends but there

were a couple exceptions. Do to normal rainfa ll, most of the bay did not experience any

prolonged periods of hypersalinity. The annua l pattern in CHLA in Western Bay was

unremarkable but there were periods of elevat ed CHLA (relative to annual median) during the

summer in Eastern and Central Bays. TP va lues in Central and Western Bays were

unremarkable but elevated concentrations were observed in Eastern Bay during both spring and

fall. Baywide DIN concentrations were genera lly lower than the long term annual median.

Turbidity continues fluctuate at post 1993 levels.

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/DataDL.htm

Monthly time series graphs for all measured variables for each station are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/FB.htm

Contour maps showing spatial distributions of all measured variables (quarterly) are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm

# 12 

# Figure 2.1. Zones of similar water quality in Florida Bay



# Average Monthly Rainfall

0 10 20 30 40 50

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003cm mo-1



# Figure 2.2. Monthly average rainfall in the Florida Bay area. -81.2 -81.0 -80.8 -80.6 -80.4 -80.2 24.8 25.0 25.2 25.4 

# Florida Bay Water Quality Zones

Eastern Bay ( ), Central Bay, ( ), Western Bay ( )

# 0 10 20 30 40 50 601989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Eastern

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 701989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Central

0 10 20 30 40 50 601989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Western



# Figure 2.3. Monthly median and range of salinity in the three Florida Bay zones.

# 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0μg/l1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Eastern

0 5 10 15 20 25 30μg/l1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Central



# Figure 2.4. Monthly median and range of CHLA in the three Florida Bay zones. 0 5 10 15 20 25μg/l1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Western

# 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Eastern

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Central

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Western



# Figure 2.5. Monthly median and range of TP in the three Florida Bay zones.

# 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Eastern

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Central

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4ppm1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Western



# Figure 2.6. Monthly median and range of DIN in the three Florida Bay zones.

# 0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0NTU1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Eastern

0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0NTU1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Central

0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0NTU1989-061990-011990-061990-111991-041991-101992-031992-081993-011993-061993-111994-041994-091995-031995-081996-011996-061996-111997-041997-091998-021998-071999-011999-061999-112000-042000-092001-022001-072001-122002-052002-10 

# Western



# Figure 2.7. Monthly median and range of turbidity in the three Florida Bay zones.

# 3. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN WHITEWATER BAY - TEN

THOUSAND ISLANDS COMPLEX

Overall Period of Record

A spatial analysis of data from our mon itoring program resulted in the delineation of 6

groups of stations, which have robust similaritie s in water quality (Fig. 3.1). We contend that

these spatially contiguous groups of stations are the result of similar hydrodynamic forcing and

processing of materials, hence we call them 'zones of similar influence'. The first cluster was

composed of 13 stations in and around the Shar k, Harney, Broad, and Lostmans Rivers and is

called the Mangrove River (MR) group. This cluste r also included a sampling station just off the

Faka Union Canal. The second cluster was ma de up of the 8 stations enclosed within

Whitewater Bay proper (WWB). Twelve stations situated mostly in and around the coastal

islands of TTI-WWB formed the Gulf Island group (GI). The water quality characteristics at the

Coot Bay site (COOT) were sufficiently different so as to be a cluster of its own. The next

cluster contained the northernmost 2 stations in the Blackwater River estuary (BLK). Finally,

the Inland Wilderness Waterway zone (IWW) in cluded 11 stations distributed throughout the

inside passage as well as the Chatham River and the station off Everglades City.

Marked differences in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics among zones were

illustrated by this technique. The general spatial trend is one of highly variable salinity as a

result of Shark Slough inputs in the south (Fig. 3.2). Salinity in the Gulf Islands zone was more

consistent due to Gulf of Mexico influence but also is affected by Caloosahatchee River outputs.

CHLA concentrations were relatively high in this region compared to Florida Bay and the Shelf

(Fig 3.3). Highest CHLA were observed in the semi-enclosed areas such as Whitewater Bay and

the Inner Wilderness Waterway. It is possible th at the longer water residence times exhibited in

these areas promoted the intensification of algal biomass. TP tended to be lowest in Whitewater

Bay and Mangrove Rivers but increased northwa rd along the coast (Fig. 3.4). The spatial

distribution of DIN was generally opposite to that of TP (Fig. 3.5). The net effect was the

formation of a gradient with strong phosphorus limitation occurring in the southern region which

shifted to a more balanced N:P ratio in th e northern area around the Blackwater River. The

Mangrove Rivers were a significan t source of TOC to the Shelf (Fig. 3.6). TOC was highest in

the south and declined northward along the coast.

We believe these gradients are the result of coastal geomorphology and watershed

characteristics in the region (Boyer and Jones, in review). The width of the mangrove forest is

widest in the south (15 km) but grades to onl y 4 km wide in the northern TTI; this being a

function of elevation and sediment type. White water Bay is a semi-enclosed body of water with

a relatively long residence time, which receives ove rland freshwater input from the Everglades

marsh. The long water residence time may explain the very low P concentrations (from

biological uptake), while the high evaporation rate would tend to concentrate dissolved organic

matter (DOM). The Mangrove Rivers are dir ectly connected to the Shark River Slough and

therefore have a huge watershed relative to their volume. Freshwater inputs from this source are

very low in P while the extensive mangrove fore st contributes much DOM. The Inner Waterway

is an intermediate zone in all respects; having extensive channelization but low freshwater input.

The Gulf Island zone has very low freshwater i nput due to the poorly drained watershed of the

Big Cypress Basin. Instead of mangrove river ch annels there are many mangrove islands set in

low tidal energy environment situated behind th e Cape Romano Shoals. Finally there is the

# Blackwater River cluster with highest TP concen trations. There is considerable agriculture

(tomatoes, etc.) in the Blackwater River waters hed, which may contribute significant amounts of

P to the system via drainage ditches. Further analysis of this relationship is planned.

2002 Alone

The influence of freshwater input from the Ev erglades is very significant to this region.

Large salinity variations are the norm, being driven by both climactic events and water

management practices. No hypersaline events were observed, as 2002 was a normal year of

precipitation. Except for a small summer increas e in Whitewater Bay and Gulf Islands CHLA,

levels of TP and DIN were relatively unremarkabl e. Finally, TOC continued its slow, long term

downward trend in the Mangrove Rivers.

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/DataDL.htm

Monthly time series graphs for all measured variables for each station are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/WWB.htm

Contour maps showing spatial distributions of all measured variables (quarterly) are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm

# Figure 3.1. Zones of similar water quality in Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands complex: -81.5 -81.0 25.0 25.5 26.0



# 42

43 44

45 46 47

48 49 29 30 31

32

33 34 35

36 37 38

39 63 70

40 41 51

52 65

66 67 68 69 71

72 73

50 74

75

53 54 55

56

57 58 59

60 61

62 64 Faka Union Canal

Everglades City Blackwater River

Gulf Islands Inner Waterway

Mangrove

Rivers

Coot Bay Whitewater

Bay



# Mangrove Rivers, Whitewater Bay, Gulf Islands,

Coot Bay, Blackwater River, Inner Waterway

# 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Mangrove Rivers

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-021997-061997-101998-021998-061998-111999-031999-071999-112000-032000-072000-112001-032001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Whitewater Bay

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Gulf Islands

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451994-091995-011995-051995-091996-041996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Blackwater River

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451994-091995-011995-051995-091996-021996-081996-121997-041997-081997-121998-041998-081999-011999-051999-092000-012000-052000-092001-012001-052001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Inner Waterway



# Figure 3.2. Monthly median and range of salinity in the five WWB-TTI zones.

# 0 3 5 8 10 13 15 18 20μg/l1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Mangrove Rivers

0 5 10 15 20 25 30μg/l1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-021997-061997-101998-021998-061998-111999-031999-071999-112000-032000-072000-112001-032001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Whitewater Bay

0 5 10 15 20μg/l1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Gulf Islands

0 5 10 15 20μg/l1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-041996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Blackwater River

0 5 10 15 20 25 30μg/l1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-021996-081996-121997-041997-081997-121998-041998-081999-011999-051999-092000-012000-052000-092001-012001-052001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Inland Wilderness Waterway



# Figure 3.3. Monthly median and range of chlorophyll a in the five WWB-TTI zones.

# 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Mangrove Rivers

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-021997-061997-101998-021998-061998-111999-031999-071999-112000-032000-072000-112001-032001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Whitewater Bay

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Gulf Islands

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-041996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Blackwater River

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-021996-081996-121997-041997-081997-121998-041998-081999-011999-051999-092000-012000-052000-092001-012001-052001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Inland Wilderness Waterway



# Figure 3.4. Monthly median and range of to tal phosphorus in the five WWB-TTI zones.

# 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Mangrove Rivers

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-021997-061997-101998-021998-061998-111999-031999-071999-112000-032000-072000-112001-032001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Whitewater Bay

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Gulf Islands

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-041996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Blackwater River

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-021996-081996-121997-041997-081997-121998-041998-081999-011999-051999-092000-012000-052000-092001-012001-052001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Inner Wilderness Waterway



# Figure 3.5. Monthly median and range of disso lved inorganic nitrogen in the five zones.

# 0 10 20 30 40 50 60ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Mangrove Rivers

0 10 20 30 40ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-021997-061997-101998-021998-061998-111999-031999-071999-112000-032000-072000-112001-032001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Whitewater Bay

0 5 10 15 20 25 30ppm1992-091993-011993-051993-091994-011994-051994-091995-011995-051995-091996-011996-051996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Gulf Islands

0 5 10 15 20 25ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-041996-091997-011997-051997-091998-011998-051998-101999-021999-061999-102000-022000-062000-102001-022001-062001-102002-022002-062002-10 

# Blackwater River

0 5 10 15 20 25ppm1994-091995-011995-051995-091996-021996-081996-121997-041997-081997-121998-041998-081999-011999-051999-092000-012000-052000-092001-012001-052001-092002-012002-052002-09 

# Inland Wilderness Waterway



# Figure 3.6. Monthly median and range of tota l organic carbon in the five WWB-TTI zones.

# 4. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN BISCAYNE BAY

Overall Period of Record

A spatial analysis of data from our mon itoring program resulted in the delineation of 6

groups of stations, which have robust similaritie s in water quality (Fig. 4.1). We contend that

these spatially contiguous groups of stations are the result of similar hydrodynamic forcing and

processing of materials, hence we call them 'zones of similar influence'. The first cluster was

composed of 2 stations closest to the shor e in the south Bay and was called the Alongshore

group (AS). These are stations most influenced by the Goulds, Military and Mowry Canals. The

second cluster was made up of the 5 stations farthe r from the coast called Inshore (IS). Thirteen

stations situated mostly in the bay proper we re called the main Bay (MAIN) group. The next

cluster contained 3 stations situated in areas of great tidal exchange (ocean channel, not shown).

Two stations in Card Sound grouped together SCARD. Finally, the Turkey Point station

comprised its own cluster (not shown). As men tioned previously, 10 stati ons were selected for

their status as being either redundant (as in some of the Main Bay stations) or as outliers (Turkey

Point and the ocean channel sites) and redistribut ed throughout the Bay to provide us with more

complete coverage. For purposes of this report, the stations added to the area north of the

Rickenbacker Causeway are defined, a priori, as a distinct cluster, North Bay (NBAY).

There was a gradient of increasing salinity with distance from the west coast of the Bay (AS

<IS <MAIN clusters Fig. 4.2). Opposite to the salinity gradient, highest concentrations of

CHLA, DIN, and TP were observed near the coas t (Fig. 4.3, 4.4, & 4.5). These type of gradients

are indicative of anthropogenic inputs. NBAY showed DIN levels comparable to the high

concentrations seen AS but had a higher medi an salinity. In addition, NBAY had the highest

median TP concentration of any zone. SCARD had relatively high DIN concentrations relative

to the other nutrients. Some of this may be a ttributed to the long water residence time of this

basin as evidence by near ocean salinities. TOC concentrations were highest in AS > IS >

MAIN, denoting a freshwater source (not shown).

2002 Alone

Salinity in Biscayne Bay is strongly influenced by its large tidal exchange with the ocean.

Nevertheless, canal inputs have a significant im pact as evidenced by the irregular salinity

fluctuations. 2002 was an unremarkable year for salinity, DIN, and turbidity. However,

increases in TP concentrations in all areas of the Bay are beginning to become discernable and

with that are some increases in CHLA as well. Not only are TP concentrations increasing, but so

is the variability. This is a trend we must watch closely to see if other impacts to the Biscayne

Bay’s ecosystem become noticeable.

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/DataDL.htm

Monthly time series graphs for all measured variables for each station are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/BB.htm

Contour maps showing spatial distributions of all measured variables (quarterly) are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm

# Figure 4.1. Zones of similar water quality in Biscayne Bay. -80.4 -80.3 -80.2 -80.1 25.5 26.0

101 102 103

110

122 127 128

104

108 109

111

112

113

116 123 124 126 129

121

135 130 131

132

133 134



# Miami



# Alongshore, Inshore, Main Bay,

North Bay, South Card Sound

# 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Alongshore

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Inshore

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Main Bay

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451993-101994-011994-041994-071994-101995-011995-041995-071995-101996-011996-041996-071996-101997-011997-041997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-111999-021999-051999-081999-112000-022000-052000-082000-112001-032001-062001-092001-122002-032002-062002-092002-12 

# South Card Sound

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 401996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# North Bay



# Figure 4.2. Monthly median and range of salinity in the five Biscayne Bay zones.

# 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5μg/l1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Alongshore

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0μg/l1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Inshore

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0μg/l1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Main Bay

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0μg/l1993-101994-011994-041994-071994-101995-011995-041995-071995-101996-011996-041996-071996-101997-011997-041997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-111999-021999-051999-081999-112000-022000-052000-082000-112001-032001-062001-092001-122002-032002-062002-092002-12 

# South Card Sound

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0μg/l1996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# North Bay



# Figure 4.3. Monthly median and range of chlorophyll a in the five Biscayne Bay zones.

# 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Alongshore

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Inshore

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Main Bay

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03ppm1993-101994-011994-041994-071994-101995-011995-041995-071995-101996-011996-041996-071996-101997-011997-041997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-111999-021999-051999-081999-112000-022000-052000-082000-112001-032001-062001-092001-122002-032002-062002-092002-12 

# South Card Sound

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04ppm1996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# North Bay



# Figure 4.4. Monthly median and range of total phosphorus in the five Biscayne Bay zones.

# 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Alongshore

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Inshore

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4ppm1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Main Bay

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3ppm1993-101994-011994-041994-071994-101995-011995-041995-071995-101996-011996-041996-071996-101997-011997-041997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-111999-021999-051999-081999-112000-022000-052000-082000-112001-032001-062001-092001-122002-032002-062002-092002-12 

# South Card Sound

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3ppm1996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# North Bay



# Figure 4.5. Monthly median and range of dissolv ed inorganic N in the Biscayne Bay zones.

# 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0NTU1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Alongshore

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0NTU1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Inshore

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0NTU1993-091993-121994-031994-061994-091994-121995-031995-061995-091995-121996-031996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# Main Bay

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0NTU1993-101994-011994-041994-071994-101995-011995-041995-071995-101996-011996-041996-071996-101997-011997-041997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-111999-021999-051999-081999-112000-022000-052000-082000-112001-032001-062001-092001-122002-032002-062002-092002-12 

# South Card Sound

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0NTU1996-061996-091996-121997-031997-061997-091997-121998-031998-061998-101999-011999-041999-071999-102000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-082001-112002-022002-052002-082002-11 

# North Bay



# Figure 4.6. Monthly median and range of turbidity in the five Biscayne Bay zones.

# 5. STATE OF WATER QUALITY ON THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

SHELF

Overall Period of Record

A spatial analysis of data from our mon itoring program resulted in the delineation of 3

groups of stations, which have robust similaritie s in water quality (Fig. 5.1). We have argued

that these spatially contiguous groups of stati ons are the result of similar hydrodynamic forcing

and processing of materials, hence we call them 'zones of similar influence'. The first cluster

was composed of only 2 stations, which were clos est to the shore off Cape Sable; they were

called the SHARK group after the Shark River, the main source of freshwater to the region. The

second cluster was made up of the 7 more north erly stations nearest the coast and called

SHOAL. The remaining stations were called the SHELF group.

Salinity was lowest in the SHARK zone as a re sult of the Shark River, Everglades influence

(Fig. 5.2). There is a decreasing concentr ation gradient of SHARK>SHOAL>SHELF for

CHLA, TP, and TOC (Fig. 5.3, 5.4, & 5.6). It is cl ear that the SHARK sta tions have higher DIN

concentrations while the SHOAL and SHELF stations were similar (Fig. 5.5).

Although these analyses are very preliminar y (only 38 sampling events) it is possible to

speculate that the clusters are formed as a f unction of hydrology and circulation patterns. We

believe that the SHARK stations clearly show th e input of freshwater from Shark River being

transported south and east around the Cape. Water overlying the SHOAL stations probably

originates somewhere in or north of the Ten T housand Islands. Our level of resolution is very

low due to the limited numbers of sampling events and by the relatively large spatial gap

between coastal and Shelf sampling sites. A better understanding of local circulation patterns in

addition to increased density and frequency of sa mpling in the nearshore region may help define

the coupling between freshwater in flow and Shelf water quality. This is a preliminary analysis

and will be repeated after a few more years of data have been collected.

2002 Alone

Since this component of the monitoring program began in 1995 and is only sampled

quarterly, there is little trend data to analyze. However, the “Blackwater” event occurred in

early 2002 and was picked up my the January sampli ng trip. The effects are seen as a peak in

CHLA and DIN at that time. Otherwise, 2002 was relatively unremarkable. One thing to look

for in the future is the possible development of an increasing trend in TP on the SHELF. As of

now it is not statistically significant.

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/DataDL.htm

Monthly time series graphs for all measured variables for each station are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/Shelf.htm

Contour maps showing spatial distributions of all measured variables (quarterly) are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm

# -82.0 -81.5 -81.0 24.5 25.0 25.5 26.0

364

384 385

386

387

388

389

390

399

351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363

365

366

367

368

369

370

371

372

373

374

375 376 377

378 379 380 381 382 383

391

392

393

394

395

396 397 398



# Shark, Shoal, Shelf

Figure 5.1. Zones of similar water quality on the SW Shelf.

# 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shark

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shoal

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 451995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shelf



# Figure 5.2. Quarterly median and range of salinity in the three SW Shelf zones.

# 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0μg/l1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shark

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0μg/l1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shoal

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0μg/l1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shelf



# Figure 5.3. Quarterly median and range of chlorophyll a in the three SW Shelf zones.

# 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shark

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shoal

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shelf



# Figure 5.4. Quarterly median and range of total phosphorus in the three SW Shelf zones.

# 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shark

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shoal

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shelf



# Figure 5.5. Quarterly median and range of di ssolved inorganic N in the three SW Shelf

zones.

# 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shark

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shoal

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0ppm1995-051995-081995-121996-031996-071996-101997-021997-051997-071997-101998-011998-041998-071998-101999-011999-051999-071999-112000-012000-042000-072000-102001-012001-052001-072001-112002-012002-042002-082002-10 

# Shelf



# Figure 5.6. Quarterly median and range of total organic carbon in the three SW Shelf zones.

# 6. 

# STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN THE CAPE ROMANO - PINE

ISLAND SOUND AREA

Overall Period of Record

Sampling in this area began Jan. 1999 so there are only four years of data available for

analysis. This makes it unfeasible to perform a spa tial analysis at this time, therefore we will use

generally accepted geomorphological characteristic s to group the stations (Fig. 6.1). These

groupings are the Cocohatchee River at Wiggi ns Pass (COCO), Estero Bay (EST), Cape

Romano-Marco Island (MARC), Naples Bay (NPL ), Pine Island Sound (PIS), Rookery Bay

(RB), and San Carlos Bay (SCB). San Carlos Bay is located at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee

River, a major managed outlet for freshwater from Lake Okeechobee.

All zones experienced low salinity during th e beginning of the wet season with the opening

of the Caloosahatchee structure (Fig. 6.2). CHLA is elevated in this area (Fig. 6.3) but not

excessive when compared to the Ten Thousand Islands. SCB being the most directly affected by

the releases also had highest concentrations of TP, DIN, and TOC (F ig. 6.4, 6.5 & 6.6). Estero

Bay also exhibited lower salinities than the other areas, most probably as a result of freshwater

input from the Estero and Imperial Rivers as well as Hendry Creek. EST is relatively enclosed,

has a long water residence time, and is bordered on the north by the city of Ft. Meyers. These

facts may account for the elevated CHLA, DIN and TP.

Overall, this area has significantly higher c oncentrations of CHLA, TP, and DIN than the

bulk of the Ten Thousand Islands stations. Much of this is due to geological changes from

carbonates to silicates, which facilitates transpor t of phosphorus, and to major land use changes

from the Big Cypress National Preserve to suburban and agricultural.

2002 Alone

As there are only four years of data in the record; we will reserve discussion of trends until

we have a significant time series. Aside from the freshwater release, particularly in Estero Bay,

2002 was unremarkable.

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/DataDL.htm

Monthly time series graphs for all measured variables for each station are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/RB.htm

Contour maps showing spatial distributions of all measured variables (quarterly) are available at:

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm

# Figure 6.1. Map of station locations in Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area.

# 0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Estero Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# M arco Islan d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Naples Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# P in e Islan d S ou n d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Rookery Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 51999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# San Carlos Bay



# Figure 6.2. Monthly median and range of salinity in the Cape Romano-PIS area.

# 0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Estero Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# M arco Islan d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Naples Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# P in e Islan d S ou n d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Rookery Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5μg/l1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# San Carlos Bay



# Figure 6.3. Monthly median and range of chlorophyll a in the Cape Romano-PIS area.

# 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Estero Bay

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# M arco Islan d

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Naples Bay

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# P in e Islan d S ou n d

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Rookery Bay

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# San Carlos Bay



# Figure 6.4. Monthly median and range of to tal phosphorus in the Cape Romano-PIS area.

# 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Estero Bay

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# M arco Islan d

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Naples Bay

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# P in e Islan d S ou n d

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Rookery Bay

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# San Carlos Bay



# Figure 6.5. Monthly median and range of DIN in the Cape Romano-PIS area.

# 0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Estero Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# M arco Islan d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Naples Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# P in e Islan d S ou n d

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# Rookery Bay

0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0ppm1999-011999-021999-031999-041999-051999-061999-071999-081999-091999-101999-111999-122000-012000-022000-032000-042000-052000-062000-072000-082000-092000-102000-112000-122001-012001-022001-032001-042001-052001-062001-072001-082001-092001-102001-112001-122002-012002-022002-032002-042002-052002-062002-072002-082002-092002-102002-112002-12 

# San Carlos Bay



# Figure 6.6. Monthly median and range of tota l organic carbon in the Cape Romano-PIS area.

# 7. PUBLICATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT

1. F OURQUREAN 

# , J. W., R. D. J ONES



# , AND 

# J. C. Z IEMAN 

# . 1993. Processes influencing water

column nutrient characteristics and phosphorus limitation of phytoplankton biomass in

Florida Bay, FL, USA: Inferences from spatial distributions. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf

Science 36:295-314.

2. B OYER 

# , J. N., J. W. F OURQUREAN



# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1997. Spatial characterization of water

quality in Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay by principal component and cluster analyses:

Zones of similar influence (ZSI). Estuaries 20:743-758.

3. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1999. Effects of freshwater inputs and loading of phosphorus

and nitrogen on the water quality of Eastern Florida Bay, p. 545-561. In K. R. Reddy, G. A.

O’Connor, and C. L. Schelske (eds.) P hosphorus biogeochemistry in sub-tropical

ecosystems: Florida as a case example. CRC/Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.

4. B OYER 

# , J. N., J. W. F OURQUREAN



# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1999. Seasonal and long-term trends in

water quality of Florida Bay (1989-97). Estuaries 22: 417-430.

5. R UDNICK 

# , D., Z. C HEN 

# , D. C HILDERS 

# , T. F ONTAINE



# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 1999. Phosphorus and

nitrogen inputs to Florida Bay: the importance of the Everglades watershed. Estuaries 22:

398-416.

6. P ENNOCK 

# , J. R., J. N. B OYER 

# , J. A. H ERERRA 

# -S ILVIERA 

# , R. L. I VERSON 

# , T. E. W HITLEDGE 

# , B.

M ORTAZAVI



# , AND 

# F. A. C OMIN 

# . 1999. Nutrient behavior and pelagic processes, p. 109-162.

In T. S. Bianchi, J. R. Pennock, and R. R. Twille y (eds.), Biogeochemistry of Gulf of Mexico

Estuaries. Wiley, New York.

7. B OYER 

# , J. N., P. S TERLING



# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 2000. Maximizing information from estuarine

and coastal water quality monitoring networks by diverse visualization approaches.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 50: 39-48.

8. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 2000. Trends in water quality of Florida Bay (1989-1999).

State of Florida Bay. NPS - Everglades National Park Report.

9. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 2001. A view from the bridge: External and internal forces

affecting the ambient water quality of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, p. 601-

620. In J. W. Porter and K. G. Porter (eds.), The Everglades, Florida Bay, and Coral Reefs of

the Florida Keys. CRC Press.

10. H U 

# , C., F. E. M ULLER 

# -K ARGER 

# , Z.-P. L EE 

# , K. L. C ARDER 

# , B. R OBERTS 

# , J. J. W ALSH 

# , R. H.

W EISBERG 

# , R. H E 

# , E. J OHNS 

# , T. L EE 

# , N. K URING 

# , J. P ATCH 

# , J. I VEY 

# , P. G. C OBLE 

# , C. H EIL 

# , G.

A. V ARGO 

# , R. G. Z EPP 

# , K. S TEIDINGER 

# , G. M C 

# R AE 

# , J. B OYER 

# , R. J ONES 

# , G. K IRKPATRICK 

# , E.

M UELLER 

# , R. P IERCE 

# , J. C ULTER 

# , B. K ELLER 

# , J. H UNT 

# . 2002. The 2002 “black water” event

off SW Florida as detected by satellites. EOS 83: 281, 285.

11. F OURQUREAN 

# , J. W., J. N. B OYER



# , AND 

# M. J. D URAKO 

# . 2003. The influence of water quality

on seagrass distribution and abundance in Florida Bay: predictive models from long-term

monitoring programs. Ecological Applications 13: 474-489.

12. L U 

# , X., J. N. B OYER



# , AND 

# R. J AFFE 

# . (in press) Source characterization of dissolved organic

matter in Southwest Florida Estuaries by UV-vi sible and synchronous fluorescence analysis.

Marine Chemistry

. 13. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . (in review) Influence of coastal geomorphology and

watershed characteristics on the water quality of mangrove estuaries in the Ten Thousand

Islands-Whitewater Bay complex, Florida. Estuaries

.

# 8. PRESENTATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT

1. B OYER 

# , J. N., J. W. F OURQUREAN



# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1995. Spatial analysis of long term

water quality data from Florida Bay. Estuarine Research Federation - Corpus Christi, TX.

2. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1996. The Florida Bay water quality monitoring program:

assessing status and trends. 1996 Florida Bay Science Conference - Key Largo, FL.

3. B OYER 

# , J. N., J. W. F OURQUREAN



# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1997. Temporal trends in water

chemistry of Florida Bay (1989-1995): Influence of water management activities. ASLO

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Santa Fe, NM.

4. J ONES 

# , R. D., AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 1998. An overview of water quality in Florida Bay and

surrounding waters: current status and trends. 1998 Florida Bay Science Conference, Miami,

FL.

5. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1998. Influence of coastal geomorphology and watershed

characteristics on the water quality of mangrove estuaries in the Ten Thousand Islands -

Whitewater Bay complex, Florida. 1998 Florida Bay Science Conference, Miami, FL.

6. F OURQUREAN 

# , J. W., M. J. D URAKO 

# , J. C. Z IEMAN



# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 1998. Seagrass beds

respond to the magnitude and location of nutrient sources in the South Florida hydroscape.

ASLO/ESA, St. Louis, MO.

7. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1998. A view from the bridge: the influence of Biscayne

Bay, Florida Bay, and the Southwest Shelf on the reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine

Sanctuary. ASLO/ESA, St. Louis, MO.

8. Boyer, J. N. and R. D. Jones 1999. Relative influence of Florida Bay on the water quality of

the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 1999 Florida Bay Science Conference, Key

Largo.

9. Boyer, J. N., and R. D. Jones. 1999. An ecotone of estuaries? Influence of watershed

characteristics on the mangrove estuaries in southwest Florida. ERF, New Orleans, LA.

10. Childers, D. L., J. Boyer, J. Fourqurean, R. Jaffe, R. Jones, J. Trexler W. Anderson, R.

Chambers, D. Genereaux, E. Gaiser, C. McIvor, J. Meeder, J. Richards L. Scinto, F. Sklar,

and R. Twilley. 2000. Regional Controls of Population and Ecosystem Dynamics in an

Oligotrophic Wetland-dominated Coastal Landscape - Introducing a New LTER in the

Coastal Everglades. International Association of Landscape Ecologists, Ft. Lauderdale.

11. Lu, X., J. N. Boyer, and R. Jaffe. 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida

estuaries by UV-Visible and fluorescence anal ysis. South Florida ACS Meeting, Orlando.

12. Fourqurean, J., and J. N. Boyer. 2000. Seagrass species react independently to water quality

in South Florida. ASLO, Orlando.

13. B OYER 

# , J. N., D. C HILDERS 

# , R. J AFFE 

# , R. J ONES



# , AND 

# L. J. S CINTO 

# . 2000. What We Already

know About the Water Quality/Nutrient Status of the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER and

Its Environs. LTER All Scientists Meeting, Snowbird, UT.

14. Lu, X., J. N. Boyer, and R. Jaffe. 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida

estuaries by UV-Visible and fluorescen ce analysis. ASLO, Albuquerque, NM.

15. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 2001. Trends in water quality of Florida Bay. 2001 Florida

Bay Science Conference, Key Largo, FL.

16. Fourqurean, J. W., J. N. Boyer, M. J. Durako. The statistical relationship between benthic

habitats and water quality in Florida Bay. 2001 Florida Bay Science Conference, Key Largo,

FL.

# 9. TABLES

9.1. List of fixed station location and sampling period of record.

9.2. Statistical summary of Florida Bay water quality variables by zone.

9.3. Statistical summary of Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands water quality by zone.

9.4. Statistical summary of Biscayne Bay water quality variables by zone.

9.5. Statistical summary of Southwest Florida Shelf water quality variables by zone.

9.6. Statistical summary of Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound water quality variables by

zone.

# Table 9.1. List of fixed station location and sampling period of record.

Station

Station Name Number Area Latitude Longitude Period of Record Surveys

Card Sound Bridge 1 FB 25 16.413 -80 22.475 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Middle Key 2 FB 25 17.102 -80 23.702 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Manatee Bay 3 FB 25 15.062 -80 24.910 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Barnes Sound 4 FB 25 13.304 -80 23.299 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Blackwater Sound 5 FB 25 10.443 -80 25.385 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Little Blackwater Sound 6 FB 25 12.401 -80 26.424 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Highway Creek 7 FB 25 15.216 -80 26.649 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Long Sound 8 FB 25 13.642 -80 27.700 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Duck Key 9 FB 25 10.624 -80 29.494 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Joe Bay 10 FB 25 13.468 -80 32.195 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Little Madeira Bay 11 FB 25 10.510 -80 37.615 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Terrapin Bay 12 FB 25 08.422 -80 42.967 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Whipray Basin 13 FB 25 05.485 -80 45.287 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Garfield Bight 14 FB 25 09.029 -80 48.553 Apr 91 - Dec 01 2-142

Rankin Lake 15 FB 25 07.283 -80 48.173 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Murray Key 16 FB 25 07.096 -80 56.379 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Johnson Key Basin 17 FB 25 02.548 -80 54.889 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Rabbit Key Basin 18 FB 25 00.145 -80 54.006 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Twin Key Basin 19 FB 24 58.660 -80 45.211 Apr 91 - Dec 01 2-142

Peterson Keys 20 FB 24 55.770 -80 45.028 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Porpoise Lake 21 FB 25 00.396 -80 40.876 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

Captain Key 22 FB 25 02.405 -80 36.843 Apr 91 - Dec 01 2-142

Park Key 23 FB 25 07.078 -80 35.983 Apr 91 - Dec 01 2-142

Butternut Key 24 FB 25 06.105 -80 31.884 Mar 91 - Dec 01 1-142

East Cape 25 FB 25 05.022 -81 04.835 July 92 - Dec 01 17-142

Oxfoot Bank 26 FB 24 58.844 - 81 00.098 July 92 - Dec 01 17-142

Sprigger Bank 27 FB 24 55.116 -80 56.092 July 92 - Dec 01 17-142

Old Dan Bank 28 FB 24 52.032 -80 48.429 July 92 - Dec 01 17-142

First Bay 29 WWB 25 33.272 -81 11.020 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Third Bay 30 WWB 25 34.810 -81 07.256 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Big Lostmans Bay 31 WWB 25 34.055 -81 04.288 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Cabbage Island 32 WWB 25 31.764 -81 02.603 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Broad River Bay 33 WWB 25 29.984 -81 02.939 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Middle Broad River 34 WWB 25 29.163 -81 06.669 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Broad River Mouth 35 WWB 25 28.501 -81 09.176 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Harney River Mouth 36 WWB 25 24.701 -81 08.487 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Harney Rivers Junction 37 WWB 25 25.901 -81 04.943 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Tarpon Bay 38 WWB 25 25.037 -80 59.906 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Gunboat Island 39 WWB 25 22.735 -81 01.844 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Ponce de Leon Bay 40 WWB 25 20.983 -81 07.474 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Oyster Bay 41 WWB 25 19.869 -81 04.360 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

North Marker 36 42 WWB 25 19.560 -81 00.873 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

West Marker 34 43 WWB 25 17.168 -81 01.419 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Watson River Chickee 44 WWB 25 19.912 -80 59.022 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

North River Mouth 45 WWB 25 18.054 -80 57.620 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Midway Keys 46 WWB 25 17.102 -80 58.548 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Roberts River Mouth 47 WWB 25 16.779 -80 55.846 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

West Marker 18 48 WWB 25 14.448 -80 57.476 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

# Station

Station Name Number Area Latitude Longitude Period of Record Surveys

Southeast Marker 12 49 WWB 25 13.704 -80 55.980 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Coot Bay 50 WWB 25 11.452 -80 54.848 Sept 92 - Dec 01 19-142

Chokoloskee 51 TTI 25 48.450 -81 20.970 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Rabbit Key Pass 52 TTI 25 46.200 -81 23.000 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Lopez Bay 53 TTI 25 47.050 -81 19.930 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Lopez River 54 TTI 25 47.130 -81 18.550 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Sunday Bay 55 TTI 25 47.760 -81 16.800 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Huston Bay 56 TTI 25 45.180 -81 15.330 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Upper Chatham River 57 TTI 25 43.050 -81 13.830 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Watson Place 58 TTI 25 42.470 -81 15.130 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Gun Rock Point 59 TTI 25 41.500 -81 17.920 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Huston River 60 TTI 25 43.880 -81 17.080 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Chevalier Bay 61 TTI 25 42.750 -81 12.420 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Alligator Bay 62 TTI 25 40.210 -81 10.120 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Lostmans Five Bay 63 TTI 25 38.000 -81 08.700 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Barron River 64 TTI 25 51.196 -81 23.602 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Indian Key Pass 65 TTI 25 49.631 -81 26.465 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Indian Key 66 TTI 25 48.290 -81 27.750 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

West Pass 67 TTI 25 49.820 -81 30.170 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Panther Key 68 TTI 25 50.960 -81 32.530 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Faka Union Pass 69 TTI 25 52.450 -81 30.960 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Faka Union Bay 70 TTI 25 54.000 -81 30.960 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

White Horse Key 71 TTI 25 52.007 -81 34.489 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Dismal Key 72 TTI 25 53.668 -81 33.532 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Long Rock 73 TTI 25 52.920 -81 36.380 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Shell Key 74 TTI 25 54.670 -81 36.920 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Blackwater River 75 TTI 25 55.788 -81 36.019 Sept 94 - Dec 01 43-142

Convoy Point 101 BB 25 28.700 -80 19.250 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Black Point 102 BB 25 32.750 -80 17.680 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Near Black Ledge 103 BB 25 34.400 -80 17.200 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

BNP Marker C 104 BB 25 36.100 -80 13.250 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Biscayne Channel 105 BB 25 39.252 -80 11.202 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

White Marker 106 BB 25 38.052 -80 07.800 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Fowey Rocks 107 BB 25 35.400 -80 06.000 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Marker G-1B 108 BB 25 34.150 -80 11.550 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

North Midbay 109 BB 25 33.850 -80 14.100 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Fender Point 110 BB 25 30.300 -80 17.250 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Featherbed Bank 111 BB 25 30.950 -80 14.400 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Sands Cut 112 BB 25 29.300 -80 11.300 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Elliott Key 113 BB 25 26.500 -80 13.400 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Caesar Creek 114 BB 25 23.100 -80 11.502 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Adams Key 115 BB 25 24.252 -80 14.448 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Rubicon Keys 116 BB 25 24.000 -80 15.300 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Totten Key 117 BB 25 23.100 -80 15.900 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Broad Creek 118 BB 25 20.898 -80 15.300 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Pumpkin Key 119 BB 25 19.098 -80 18.198 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

Card Bank, G-17 120 BB 25 18.852 -80 20.598 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

North Card Sound 121 BB 25 21.300 -80 17.500 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

West Arsenicker 122 BB 25 25.210 -80 18.650 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

Pelican Bank 123 BB 25 26.700 -80 17.000 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

South Midbay 124 BB 25 28.350 -80 14.000 Sept 93 - Dec 01 31-142

# Station

Station Name Number Area Latitude Longitude Period of Record Surveys

Turkey Point 125 BB 25 28.200 -80 16.998 Sept 93 - May 96 31-63

BNP Marker B 126 BB 25 40.300 -80 12.300 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

Shoal Point 127 BB 25 37.800 -80 15.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

Matheson Beach 128 BB 25 41.300 -80 14.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

Marker G-71 129 BB 25 44.200 -80 11.100 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

South Dodge Island 130 BB 25 45.800 -80 10.300 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

North Venetian Basin 131 BB 25 48.000 -80 10.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

North I-195 Basin 132 BB 25 49.000 -80 10.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

North Normandy Isle 133 BB 25 52.000 -80 09.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

Oleta River Park 134 BB 25 54.300 -80 08.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

South Card Sound 135 BB 25 19.000 -80 19.000 June 96 - Dec 01 64-142

Lower Harbor Keys 351 SHELF 24 41.500 -81 47.500 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

352 SHELF 24 46.550 -81 46.980 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

353 SHELF 24 51.500 -81 46.600 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

354 SHELF 24 56.480 -81 46.120 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

355 SHELF 25 01.480 -81 45.750 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

356 SHELF 25 06.460 -81 45.230 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

357 SHELF 25 11.470 -81 44.720 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

358 SHELF 25 16.480 -81 44.290 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

359 SHELF 25 21.500 -81 43.800 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

360 SHELF 25 26.470 -81 43.260 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

361 SHELF 25 31.480 -81 42.900 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

362 SHELF 25 36.520 -81 42.400 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Off Cape Romano 363 SHELF 25 41.520 -81 41.900 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

364 SHELF 25 41.500 -81 32.000 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

365 SHELF 25 36.510 -81 32.360 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

366 SHELF 25 31.560 -81 32.930 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

367 SHELF 25 26.550 -81 33.300 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

368 SHELF 25 21.510 -81 33.800 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

369 SHELF 25 16.530 -81 34.320 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

370 SHELF 25 11.510 -81 34.750 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

371 SHELF 25 06.500 -81 35.210 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

372 SHELF 25 01.500 -81 35.720 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

373 SHELF 24 56.530 -81 36.180 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

374 SHELF 24 51.530 -81 36.650 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Off Johnson Key 375 SHELF 24 46.540 -81 37.070 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Harbor Key Bank 376 SHELF 24 50.600 -81 26.300 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

377 SHELF 24 56.100 -81 25.900 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

378 SHELF 25 01.000 -81 24.950 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

379 SHELF 25 06.000 -81 24.530 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

380 SHELF 25 11.000 -81 24.000 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

381 SHELF 25 16.000 -81 23.700 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

382 SHELF 25 21.000 -81 23.200 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

383 SHELF 25 25.950 -81 22.670 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

384 SHELF 25 30.930 -81 22.200 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

385 SHELF 25 36.010 -81 21.790 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

386 SHELF 25 33.330 -81 20.430 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

387 SHELF 25 30.530 -81 19.010 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

388 SHELF 25 25.500 -81 17.820 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

# Station

Station Name Number Area Latitude Longitude Period of Record Surveys

389 SHELF 25 20.500 -81 16.620 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

390 SHELF 25 15.600 -81 15.610 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

391 SHELF 25 10.500 -81 14.320 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

392 SHELF 25 05.500 -81 14.900 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

393 SHELF 25 00.500 -81 15.200 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

394 SHELF 24 55.500 -81 15.600 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Off Bluefish Bank 395 SHELF 24 52.700 -81 11.500 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Off Bullard Bank 396 SHELF 24 50.000 -81 07.700 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

397 SHELF 24 55.000 -81 07.100 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

398 SHELF 25 00.000 -81 06.600 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Off East Cape 300 SHELF 25 05.000 -81 05.960 May 95 - Dec 01 1-30

Coon Key Pass, G3 451 ROOK 25 54.626 -81 38.309 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Coon Key Light 452 ROOK 25 52.918 -81 37.954 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Fred Key, G5 453 ROOK 25 53.978 -81 41.027 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Caxambas Pass, R4 454 ROOK 25 54.360 -81 43.733 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Capri Pass, R2A 455 ROOK 25 59.285 -81 43.740 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Rt. 951 Bridge, R26 456 ROOK 25 57.737 -81 42.524 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Big Marco River, R24 457 ROOK 25 57.122 -81 41.243 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Goodland Bridge, G15 458 ROOK 25 56.080 -81 39.204 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Johnson Bay 459 ROOK 25 59.291 -81 43.748 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Hall Bay 460 ROOK 26 00.941 -81 44.566 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Rookery Bay 461 ROOK 26 01.755 -81 44.888 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

First National 462 ROOK 26 02.441 -81 45.955 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Kewaydin Channel, G55 463 ROOK 26 03.611 -81 46.713 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Dollar Bay, G73 464 ROOK 26 06.000 -81 47.213 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Outer Gordon Pass, G1 465 ROOK 26 05.480 -81 48.686 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

New Pass 466 ROOK 26 22.692 -81 51.508 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Wiggins Pass Bridge 467 ROOK 26 17.441 -81 49.105 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Big Carlos Pass Bridge 468 ROOK 26 24.146 -81 52.850 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Coon Key, R2A 469 ROOK 26 25.422 -81 52.400 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Central Estero Bay, R2 470 ROOK 26 24.459 -81 51.885 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Point Ybel, R8 471 ROOK 26 27.492 -82 00.444 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

San Carlos Bay, R4 472 ROOK 26 28.013 -82 02.723 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Kitchel Key, G13 473 ROOK 26 30.070 -82 00.789 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Shell Point 474 ROOK 26 31.368 -82 00.417 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Reckems Point 475 ROOK 26 32.108 -82 03.548 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Sanibel 476 ROOK 26 30.472 -82 09.113 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Pine Island Sound 477 ROOK 26 33.702 -82 09.934 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

Cayo Costa 478 ROOK 26 38.150 -82 12.517 Jan 99 - Dec 01 97-142

# Table 9.2. Statistical summary of Florida Bay water quality variables by zone.

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Alkaline All 0.36 0.01 6.44 3495

Phosphatase FBC 1.48 0.01 6.44 528

Activity ( μ M hr -1 

# ) FBE 0.35 0.01 6.11 2214

FBW 0.19 0.01 4.93 753

Chlorophyll a All 0.84 0.00 35.61 3612

( μ g l -1 

# ) FBC 1.79 0.11 35.61 542

FBE 0.55 0.00 11.35 2284

FBW 1.55 0.14 22.08 786

Surface All 6.6 0.4 12.3 3633

Dissolved Oxygen FBC 6.4 2.8 12.3 545

(mg l -1 

# ) FBE 6.7 0.4 11.7 2289

FBW 6.3 3.0 11.5 799

Bottom All 6.5 1.4 13.4 3414

Dissolved Oxygen FBC 6.3 1.5 12.2 514

(mg l -1 

# ) FBE 6.7 1.4 13.4 2174

FBW 6.2 3.0 11.1 726

Ammonium All 0.032 0.000 1.681 3592

(ppm) FBC 0.051 0.000 1.681 535

FBE 0.039 0.000 1.149 2277

FBW 0.011 0.000 0.342 780

Nitrite All 0.002 0.000 0.111 3597

(ppm) FBC 0.002 0.000 0.111 539

FBE 0.003 0.000 0.037 2278

FBW 0.001 0.000 0.025 780

Nitrate All 0.005 0.000 0.154 3580

(ppm) FBC 0.003 0.000 0.080 537

FBE 0.009 0.000 0.154 2268

FBW 0.002 0.000 0.101 775

Surface Salinity All 31.90 0.20 63.00 3691

FBC 34.00 8.70 63.00 554

FBE 28.90 0.20 54.30 2324

FBW 35.00 16.50 52.00 813

Bottom Salinity All 31.30 0.20 63.00 3376

FBC 33.15 11.90 63.00 510

FBE 28.40 0.20 54.30 2140

FBW 34.70 16.60 51.00 726

Silicate All 0.381 0.000 4.060 648

(ppm) FBC 0.998 0.000 4.060 96

FBE 0.278 0.000 3.426 408

FBW 0.417 0.000 2.932 144

Soluble Reactive All 0.001 0.000 0.026 3570

Phosphorus (ppm) FBC 0.001 0.000 0.026 537

FBE 0.001 0.000 0.016 2260

FBW 0.001 0.000 0.010 773

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Surface All 26.5 13.3 36.7 3663

Temperature FBC 26.5 13.3 36.7 550

( o 

# C) FBE 26.5 14.4 34.5 2306

FBW 26.3 14.2 36.0 807

Bottom All 26.3 13.3 35.3 3434

Temperature FBC 26.3 13.3 35.3 518

( o 

# C) FBE 26.5 14.4 34.6 2184

FBW 26.1 14.4 34.7 732

Total Organic All 8.070 0.000 58.043 3569

Carbon (ppm) FBC 13.144 4.518 42.872 532

FBE 8.264 0.000 58.043 2268

FBW 4.944 1.199 20.216 769

Total Organic All 0.546 0.000 4.355 3574

Nitrogen (ppm) FBC 0.939 0.135 4.355 533

FBE 0.564 0.000 3.098 2267

FBW 0.353 0.046 1.680 774

Total Phosphorus All 0.010 0.000 0.232 3599

(ppm) FBC 0.018 0.004 0.131 538

FBE 0.008 0.001 0.041 2279

FBW 0.015 0.000 0.232 782

Turbidity All 3.31 0.01 178.55 3466

(NTU) FBC 6.60 0.12 134.85 523

FBE 2.25 0.01 172.95 2206

FBW 6.04 0.07 178.55 737

# Table 9.3. Statistical summary of Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands water quality variables

by zone.

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Alkaline All 0.13 0.00 8.31 4463

Phosphatase BLK 0.04 0.02 0.28 171

Activity ( μ M hr -1 

# ) GI 0.05 0.00 3.23 1082

IW 0.11 0.00 8.31 943

MR 0.22 0.00 3.70 1381

WB 1.09 0.00 5.96 886

Chlorophyll a All 2.80 0.11 45.11 4501

( μ g l -1 

# ) BLK 3.16 0.25 17.02 174

GI 2.73 0.12 23.78 1092

IW 3.19 0.20 45.11 954

MR 2.57 0.19 28.76 1394

WB 2.71 0.11 29.78 887

Surface All 5.8 0.3 13.9 4481

Dissolved Oxygen BLK 5.4 0.3 10.3 174

(mg l -1 

# ) GI 5.8 1.4 12.1 1090

IW 5.8 1.8 11.8 954

MR 5.1 0.4 13.9 1383

WB 6.8 2.2 11.1 880

Bottom All 5.8 0.1 12.3 4480

Dissolved Oxygen BLK 5.3 0.1 9.8 174

(mg l -1 

# ) GI 5.7 1.8 11.8 1090

IW 5.8 1.1 11.9 954

MR 5.1 0.4 12.3 1382

WB 6.9 0.4 11.1 880

Ammonium All 0.014 0.000 0.408 4502

(ppm) BLK 0.021 0.001 0.195 174

GI 0.011 0.000 0.183 1092

IW 0.016 0.000 0.285 954

MR 0.016 0.000 0.402 1394

WB 0.012 0.000 0.408 888

Nitrite All 0.002 0.000 0.086 4502

(ppm) BLK 0.003 0.000 0.017 174

GI 0.002 0.000 0.033 1092

IW 0.003 0.000 0.036 954

MR 0.002 0.000 0.012 1394

WB 0.002 0.000 0.086 888

Nitrate All 0.010 0.000 0.268 4502

(ppm) BLK 0.008 0.000 0.080 174

GI 0.008 0.000 0.135 1092

IW 0.010 0.000 0.133 954

MR 0.015 0.000 0.142 1394

WB 0.005 0.000 0.268 888

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Surface Salinity All 15.8 0.0 42.8 4499

BLK 31.7 1.4 39.9 174

GI 28.3 1.3 40.7 1092

IW 13.8 0.1 42.8 954

MR 5.1 0.0 40.5 1391

WB 10.9 0.3 35.4 888

Bottom Salinity All 16.9 0.0 53.6 4477

BLK 31.6 1.4 39.9 174

GI 28.8 1.0 40.7 1090

IW 15.3 0.2 53.6 954

MR 5.8 0.0 40.5 1379

WB 11.3 0.3 34.9 880

Silicate All 1.614 0.000 4.880 1050

(ppm) BLK 1.488 0.000 3.657 44

GI 1.455 0.000 4.705 265

IW 1.584 0.000 4.688 241

MR 2.069 0.000 4.699 308

WB 1.381 0.002 4.880 192

Soluble Reactive All 0.003 0.000 0.066 4491

Phosphorus (ppm) BLK 0.017 0.002 0.066 174

GI 0.007 0.000 0.044 1087

IW 0.003 0.000 0.028 954

MR 0.002 0.000 0.034 1391

WB 0.002 0.000 0.026 885

Surface All 26.9 12.5 38.4 4481

Temperature BLK 27.4 15.9 38.4 174

( o 

# C) GI 27.0 14.9 37.2 1090

IW 27.3 15.2 37.5 954

MR 26.5 13.6 34.4 1383

WB 26.5 12.5 34.2 880

Bottom All 26.8 11.8 37.2 4480

Temperature BLK 27.2 16.0 35.9 174

( o 

# C) GI 27.0 14.9 37.2 1090

IW 27.2 15.2 33.3 954

MR 26.5 13.6 33.3 1382

WB 26.3 11.8 33.5 880

Total Organic All 11.608 3.634 64.008 4500

Carbon (ppm) BLK 6.992 3.805 21.385 173

GI 6.989 3.634 27.170 1091

IW 11.289 5.187 22.462 954

MR 13.524 5.064 64.008 1394

WB 15.759 6.143 39.373 888

Total Organic All 0.568 0.000 2.989 4500

Nitrogen (ppm) BLK 0.375 0.130 0.937 173

GI 0.391 0.108 1.748 1091

IW 0.568 0.021 1.566 954

MR 0.660 0.021 2.989 1394

WB 0.807 0.000 2.535 888

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Total Phosphorus All 0.027 0.001 0.125 4490

(ppm) BLK 0.057 0.016 0.098 170

GI 0.035 0.004 0.112 1085

IW 0.031 0.002 0.092 954

MR 0.022 0.001 0.125 1393

WB 0.018 0.003 0.094 888

Turbidity All 4.00 0.06 107.81 4500

(NTU) BLK 7.30 0.49 40.50 173

GI 5.11 0.42 68.00 1091

IW 4.30 0.06 43.60 954

MR 2.70 0.09 58.65 1394

WB 3.64 0.21 107.81 888

# Table 9.4. Statistical summary of Biscayne Bay water quality variables by zone.

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Alkaline All 0.135 0.008 3.209 2339

Phosphatase AS 0.328 0.093 3.209 198

Activity ( μ M hr -1 

# ) IS 0.193 0.036 2.119 428

MAIN 0.108 0.008 0.894 1154

NBAY 0.110 0.017 1.475 328

SCARD 0.141 0.041 0.942 231

Chlorophyll a All 0.28 0.00 9.18 2317

( μ g l -1 

# ) AS 0.27 0.04 2.46 196

IS 0.26 0.03 6.37 424

MAIN 0.23 0.00 5.89 1143

NBAY 0.91 0.16 9.18 325

SCARD 0.30 0.06 3.61 229

Surface All 6.4 2.8 11.6 2339

Dissolved Oxygen AS 7.2 3.1 11.6 196

(mg l -1 

# ) IS 6.7 4.0 11.5 428

MAIN 6.3 2.8 10.2 1154

NBAY 6.2 3.0 10.2 330

SCARD 6.4 4.0 9.0 231

Bottom All 6.5 2.8 12.9 2339

Dissolved Oxygen AS 7.4 3.7 12.9 196

(mg l -1 

# ) IS 6.8 3.9 11.8 428

MAIN 6.3 2.8 10.6 1154

NBAY 6.2 3.2 10.4 330

SCARD 6.4 3.3 9.5 231

Ammonium All 0.011 0.000 0.228 2343

(ppm) AS 0.015 0.001 0.228 198

IS 0.012 0.000 0.095 429

MAIN 0.010 0.000 0.083 1155

NBAY 0.014 0.000 0.114 330

SCARD 0.014 0.000 0.121 231

Nitrite All 0.002 0.000 0.060 2343

(ppm) AS 0.003 0.000 0.032 198

IS 0.002 0.000 0.021 429

MAIN 0.001 0.000 0.010 1155

NBAY 0.002 0.000 0.060 330

SCARD 0.002 0.000 0.019 231

Nitrate All 0.007 0.000 1.082 2343

(ppm) AS 0.035 0.000 1.082 198

IS 0.012 0.000 0.672 429

MAIN 0.004 0.000 0.295 1155

NBAY 0.015 0.000 0.174 330

SCARD 0.009 0.000 0.129 231

Surface Salinity All 33.3 12.3 42.3 2343

AS 27.0 12.3 42.3 198

IS 30.8 15.1 42.2 429

MAIN 35.0 22.5 40.4 1155

NBAY 31.9 19.3 37.9 330

SCARD 32.0 21.0 39.0 231

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Bottom Salinity All 33.9 3.4 42.2 2342

AS 27.7 12.8 42.2 198

IS 31.4 3.4 42.2 429

MAIN 35.1 24.2 40.3 1154

NBAY 33.3 25.2 37.9 330

SCARD 32.8 20.9 39.0 231

Silicate All 0.063 0.000 1.287 550

(ppm) AS 0.174 0.000 0.851 44

IS 0.088 0.000 0.828 110

MAIN 0.029 0.000 0.720 242

NBAY 0.210 0.001 1.287 110

SCARD 0.040 0.000 0.260 44

Soluble Reactive All 0.001 0.000 0.021 2325

Phosphorus AS 0.001 0.000 0.010 197

(ppm) IS 0.001 0.000 0.009 425

MAIN 0.000 0.000 0.009 1148

NBAY 0.001 0.000 0.021 326

SCARD 0.001 0.000 0.008 229

Surface All 26.3 10.2 33.3 2343

Temperature AS 26.8 10.2 32.9 198

( o 

# C) IS 26.3 15.7 33.3 429

MAIN 26.1 15.5 32.8 1155

NBAY 25.8 16.5 32.5 330

SCARD 26.3 16.4 32.5 231

Bottom All 26.1 10.3 33.8 2343

Temperature AS 26.7 10.3 33.2 198

( o 

# C) IS 26.3 15.7 33.4 429

MAIN 26.1 15.6 32.5 1155

NBAY 25.6 16.5 32.9 330

SCARD 26.5 16.6 33.8 231

Total Organic All 3.346 0.326 9.330 2340

Carbon (ppm) AS 4.750 1.379 9.330 198

IS 3.908 1.463 9.168 428

MAIN 2.803 0.326 6.522 1155

NBAY 3.614 1.451 8.208 329

SCARD 3.988 1.968 7.572 230

Total Organic All 0.228 0.006 1.229 2342

Nitrogen (ppm) AS 0.356 0.006 0.825 198

IS 0.282 0.016 0.877 428

MAIN 0.193 0.031 1.010 1155

NBAY 0.206 0.045 0.652 330

SCARD 0.274 0.068 1.229 231

Total Phosphorus All 0.006 0.000 0.038 2342

(ppm) AS 0.006 0.000 0.025 198

IS 0.005 0.001 0.026 428

MAIN 0.005 0.001 0.030 1155

NBAY 0.009 0.003 0.038 330

SCARD 0.006 0.002 0.030 231

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Turbidity All 0.69 0.00 22.35 2341

(NTU) AS 0.50 0.05 3.73 198

IS 0.45 0.00 3.75 428

MAIN 0.80 0.00 19.00 1154

NBAY 1.12 0.01 22.35 330

SCARD 0.55 0.00 3.80 231

# Table 9.5. Statistical summary of Southwest Florida Shelf water quality variables by zone.

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Alkaline All 0.052 0.004 12.017 1096

Phosphatase SHARK 0.063 0.016 2.485 45

Activity ( μ M hr -1 

# ) SHELF 0.051 0.004 12.017 892

SHOAL 0.052 0.012 7.627 159

Chlorophyll a All 0.905 0.000 10.463 1274

( μ g l -1 

# ) SHARK 1.597 0.254 4.651 52

SHELF 0.869 0.000 10.463 1040

SHOAL 0.926 0.240 6.560 182

Surface All 6.2 2.8 12.8 1257

Dissolved Oxygen SHARK 6.1 3.6 8.3 51

(mg l -1 

# ) SHELF 6.2 2.8 12.6 1026

SHOAL 6.1 3.1 12.8 180

Bottom All 5.6 1.7 13.0 561

Dissolved Oxygen SHARK 5.0 2.8 7.3 22

(mg l -1 

# ) SHELF 5.6 1.7 13.0 458

SHOAL 5.8 2.6 9.7 81

Ammonium All 0.005 0.000 0.129 1274

(ppm) SHARK 0.008 0.001 0.049 52

SHELF 0.005 0.000 0.129 1040

SHOAL 0.005 0.000 0.064 182

Nitrite All 0.000 0.000 0.008 1274

(ppm) SHARK 0.001 0.000 0.006 52

SHELF 0.000 0.000 0.008 1040

SHOAL 0.001 0.000 0.005 182

Nitrate All 0.000 0.000 0.078 1274

(ppm) SHARK 0.002 0.000 0.072 52

SHELF 0.000 0.000 0.078 1040

SHOAL 0.001 0.000 0.022 182

Surface Salinity All 35.5 24.4 40.7 1261

SHARK 34.7 24.4 40.7 51

SHELF 35.5 27.0 40.1 1030

SHOAL 35.5 27.9 38.8 180

Bottom Salinity All 36.0 26.0 40.7 565

SHARK 35.5 26.0 40.7 22

SHELF 36.1 27.8 40.1 462

SHOAL 35.8 31.0 39.2 81

Silicate All 0.066 0.000 2.238 1169

(ppm) SHARK 0.399 0.000 1.199 47

SHELF 0.067 0.000 2.238 955

SHOAL 0.041 0.000 1.038 167

Soluble Reactive All 0.001 0.000 0.014 1274

Phosphorus (ppm) SHARK 0.001 0.000 0.006 52

SHELF 0.001 0.000 0.014 1040

SHOAL 0.001 0.000 0.008 182

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Surface

Temperature All 26.5 14.7 32.7 1261

( o 

# C) SHARK 26.5 14.8 32.1 51

SHELF 26.5 14.7 32.7 1030

SHOAL 26.6 15.2 32.3 180

Bottom

Temperature All 25.2 14.7 32.0 565

( o 

# C) SHARK 25.1 14.8 31.4 22

SHELF 25.2 14.7 31.9 462

SHOAL 25.4 15.2 32.0 81

Total Organic All 2.818 1.544 10.790 1274

Carbon (ppm) SHARK 3.929 2.221 5.812 52

SHELF 2.793 1.544 10.790 1040

SHOAL 2.761 1.606 5.864 182

Total Organic All 0.195 0.038 1.021 1265

Nitrogen (ppm) SHARK 0.270 0.065 0.957 51

SHELF 0.192 0.038 1.021 1032

SHOAL 0.197 0.051 0.511 182

Total Phosphorus All 0.012 0.000 0.190 1274

(ppm) SHARK 0.015 0.008 0.079 52

SHELF 0.012 0.000 0.190 1040

SHOAL 0.012 0.006 0.027 182

Turbidity All 2.17 0.00 66.25 1176

(NTU) SHARK 6.65 2.14 66.25 48

SHELF 1.97 0.00 45.05 960

SHOAL 2.95 0.21 20.70 168

# Table 9.6. Statistical summary of Cape Romano-Pi ne Island Sound water quality variables by

zone.

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Alkaline

Phosphatase All 0.05 0.01 0.44 1005

Activity ( μ M hr -1 

# ) COCO 0.05 0.02 0.13 14

EST 0.05 0.02 0.30 164

MARC 0.04 0.01 0.29 287

NPL 0.05 0.02 0.31 108

PIS 0.05 0.02 0.17 108

RB 0.04 0.02 0.44 144

SCB 0.05 0.02 0.19 180

Chlorophyll a All 3.72 0.38 28.47 1005

( μ g l -1 

# ) COCO 4.72 2.16 15.78 14

EST 4.20 0.41 24.68 164

MARC 4.22 0.38 20.85 287

NPL 2.86 0.44 18.22 108

PIS 3.30 0.55 21.76 108

RB 3.76 0.75 17.68 144

SCB 3.15 0.53 28.47 180

Surface All 6.1 1.3 11.7 977

Dissolved Oxygen COCO 5.9 5.0 6.4 3

(mg l -1 

# ) EST 6.1 1.8 9.2 147

MARC 6.1 2.8 9.3 287

NPL 5.8 2.1 11.7 108

PIS 6.4 3.7 9.1 108

RB 5.7 1.3 9.5 144

SCB 6.3 3.6 10.4 180

Bottom All 6.2 2.3 11.5 1006

Dissolved Oxygen COCO 4.9 2.9 6.6 14

(mg l -1 

# ) EST 6.1 2.6 9.4 165

MARC 6.2 2.8 9.3 287

NPL 5.8 2.3 11.5 108

PIS 6.5 4.2 10.1 108

RB 5.8 2.7 8.9 144

SCB 6.5 3.8 11.1 180

Light Extinction All 0.372 0.008 3.859 198

Coefficient (m -1 

# ) COCO . . .

EST 0.399 0.041 1.113 31

MARC 0.372 0.008 3.859 56

NPL 0.318 0.021 1.473 21

PIS 0.417 0.115 0.968 24

RB 0.300 0.043 1.923 26

SCB 0.399 0.035 2.559 40

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Ammonium All 0.007 0.000 0.239 1005

(ppm) COCO 0.040 0.017 0.215 13

EST 0.007 0.000 0.217 165

MARC 0.006 0.000 0.194 287

NPL 0.008 0.001 0.170 108

PIS 0.006 0.000 0.077 108

RB 0.008 0.001 0.239 144

SCB 0.007 0.000 0.184 180

Nitrite All 0.001 0.000 0.021 1005

(ppm) COCO 0.002 0.000 0.011 13

EST 0.001 0.000 0.011 165

MARC 0.001 0.000 0.010 287

NPL 0.001 0.000 0.009 108

PIS 0.001 0.000 0.004 108

RB 0.001 0.000 0.009 144

SCB 0.001 0.000 0.021 180

Nitrate All 0.003 0.000 0.405 1005

(ppm) COCO 0.015 0.002 0.112 13

EST 0.002 0.000 0.073 165

MARC 0.002 0.000 0.052 287

NPL 0.002 0.000 0.056 108

PIS 0.001 0.000 0.035 108

RB 0.003 0.000 0.034 144

SCB 0.005 0.000 0.405 180

Surface Salinity All 34.5 3.6 40.7 976

COCO 21.2 10.1 33.9 3

EST 34.4 18.6 38.3 147

MARC 35.4 21.9 40.7 287

NPL 34.9 19.6 37.8 108

PIS 34.5 25.8 38.6 108

RB 35.0 14.2 38.9 143

SCB 32.9 3.6 37.9 180

Bottom Salinity All 34.3 1.6 40.6 1005

COCO 29.5 1.6 35.7 14

EST 34.0 8.7 37.9 165

MARC 35.2 21.2 40.6 287

NPL 34.8 20.1 37.9 108

PIS 34.3 20.3 38.5 108

RB 34.9 13.2 39.9 143

SCB 31.8 3.6 37.9 180

Silicate All 0.596 0.000 4.175 334

(ppm) COCO 1.598 0.611 2.637 4

EST 0.652 0.033 2.476 55

MARC 0.577 0.013 2.872 95

NPL 0.520 0.011 1.591 36

PIS 0.387 0.000 1.404 36

RB 0.564 0.079 1.859 48

SCB 0.746 0.059 4.175 60

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Soluble Reactive All 0.004 0.000 0.098 1005

Phosphorus (ppm) COCO 0.018 0.001 0.041 13

EST 0.004 0.000 0.030 165

MARC 0.004 0.000 0.028 287

NPL 0.004 0.000 0.034 108

PIS 0.002 0.000 0.027 108

RB 0.004 0.000 0.026 144

SCB 0.008 0.000 0.098 180

Surface

Temperature All 25.3 15.4 34.5 977

( o 

# C) COCO 31.1 21.5 32.7 3

EST 25.8 16.8 31.7 147

MARC 25.5 15.6 31.3 287

NPL 25.0 15.4 31.5 108

PIS 24.9 15.6 31.5 108

RB 25.3 15.6 31.9 144

SCB 25.0 16.5 34.5 180

Bottom

Temperature All 25.3 15.6 32.8 1006

( o 

# C) COCO 25.7 19.6 32.7 14

EST 25.6 16.9 32.8 165

MARC 25.5 15.6 31.7 287

NPL 25.1 16.4 31.4 108

PIS 25.1 16.9 32.0 108

RB 25.4 15.6 32.2 144

SCB 25.0 17.0 31.9 180

Total Organic All 4.668 2.226 19.688 1006

Carbon (ppm) COCO 6.674 4.457 16.598 14

EST 4.838 2.729 14.538 165

MARC 4.481 2.575 10.220 287

NPL 4.019 2.226 12.230 108

PIS 4.487 2.425 9.607 108

RB 4.844 2.728 12.070 144

SCB 5.469 2.603 19.688 180

Total Organic All 0.272 0.057 0.832 1004

Nitrogen (ppm) COCO 0.362 0.222 0.630 13

EST 0.299 0.104 0.769 165

MARC 0.265 0.099 0.818 287

NPL 0.237 0.078 0.541 108

PIS 0.287 0.088 0.699 108

RB 0.258 0.104 0.591 144

SCB 0.286 0.057 0.832 179

# Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n

Total Phosphorus All 0.044 0.000 0.186 1006

(ppm) COCO 0.049 0.032 0.072 14

EST 0.049 0.017 0.186 165

MARC 0.042 0.000 0.160 287

NPL 0.037 0.012 0.106 108

PIS 0.041 0.014 0.148 108

RB 0.045 0.018 0.099 144

SCB 0.049 0.019 0.173 180

Turbidity All 3.75 0.06 38.65 1006

(NTU) COCO 5.67 0.35 8.24 14

EST 4.41 0.13 28.75 165

MARC 4.99 0.58 38.65 287

NPL 2.85 0.25 27.25 108

PIS 2.75 0.07 20.65 108

RB 4.74 0.61 35.25 144

SCB 2.80 0.06 11.80 180