2007 Cumulative Annual Report for the 

Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Network 

(Agreement 4600000352) 

For the period 

January – December 2007 

Submitted to the 

Environmental Resource Assessment Department 

Water Quality Analysis Division 

South Florida Water Management District 

1480 Skees Road 

West Palm Beach, FL 33411-2642 

 

May 23, 2008 

by 

Joseph N. Boyer, Ph.D. (boyerj@fiu.edu) 

Henry O. Briceño, Ph.D. (bricenoh@fiu.edu) 

Southeast Environmental Research Center 

OE-148, Florida International University 

Miami, FL 33199 

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/
2

This page is intentionally left blank 
3 

2007 Cumulative Annual Report for the Coastal Water Quality 

Monitoring Network (Agreement 4600000352) 

Joseph N. Boyer & Henry O. Briceño 

Southeast Environmental Research Center, OE-148, Florida International University, 

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

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report summarizes the existing data from the FIU Coastal Water Quality Monitoring 

Network for calendar year January 1 – December 31, 2007. This includes water quality data 

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 

Florida Bay were monitored on a monthly basis with monitoring beginning in March 1991; 

Whitewater Bay monitoring began in September 1992; Biscayne Bay monthly monitoring began 

September 1993; the SW Florida Shelf was sampled quarterly beginning in spring 1995; and 

monthly sampling in the Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area started January 1999. 

Effective Oct. 1, 2007, the SFWMD contract deleted field sampling and lab analyses at 4 

sites in Whitewater Bay area #31, 45, 46, and 50; 5 sites in Ten Thousand Islands #51, 60, 62, 

68, and 73; 6 sites in Biscayne Bay #103, 109, 113, 116, 126, and 132; and all 49 sites on the SW 

Florida Shelf. Also effective Oct. 1, 2007 as per SFWMD contract, no samples were analyzed 

for silicate and field duplicates were reduced to 10% of sites collected. 

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 monitoring 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 inference 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 
4

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 

goals are met. 

Climatological Conditions 

Climate variability has major effects on the health of South Florida ecosystems because 

precipitation, temperature, evaporation and wind-driven water flow affect circulation, salinity, 

water exchange and biogeochemical processes. Furthermore, in a significant proportion water 

flow from Everglades managed canals partially follow precipitation cycles contributing further 

to complexity in response from coastal waters. Precipitation on the region has not been uniform 

over the data collection period of record, neither in space nor in time. 2007 was an average 

precipitation year from Palm Beach south, but the northern watershed, including Lake 

Okeechobee itself, experienced an extreme drought. This unusual dry year forced the SFWMD 

to curtail water supply to South Florida ecosystems, especially affecting those stations 

influenced by the Loxahatchee. Dryness plus reduced canal flows significantly affected the SW 

Florida coast during 2007. Precipitation in the Everglades rebounded from the drought of the 

late 1980's and reached levels equal or greater than the long term average (1949-2007; 141.68 

cm yr-1) for 10 of the last 17 years. Total precipitation for 2007 was 150.27 cm yr-1 making it 

equal to the median value year since 1991. Nevertheless, July and August were above their 

respective medians by about 11 cm. 

Florida Bay 

The main external influences on water quality in Florida Bay are water exchange with the 

Gulf of Mexico at the western boundary, atmospheric precipitation, and terrestrial input from 

Taylor Slough and C-111 panhandle. The two largest impacts cannot be managed by man and 

even freshwater inputs from land are highly tied to climactic conditions and events. 

Eastern Bay: Salinity was higher in the early months due to the drier than normal dry season. 

This points out the impact that the long water residence time has on Eastern Bay. Temperature, 

dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity were unremarkable. Nitrate (NO3

-

) was higher than 

normal especially for the summer months. Ammonium (NH4

+

) was higher than the grand 

median for the first half of the year and then rapidly declined to below average levels during 
5 

August. Total Phosphorus (TP) was elevated in Eastern Bay throughout most of the year as a 

result of the previous hurricane and road construction interaction (Rudnick et al. 2006). 

Chlorophyll a (CHLA) showed an inverse pattern to the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) 

pool, being highest in the wet season. Total organic nitrogen (TON) and total organic carbon 

(TOC) were lower than the grand median being indicative of temporal trend towards lower 

concentration. 

Central Florida Bay: Salinity was higher in the early months due to the drier than normal dry 

season and was also high in Sep.-Nov. This points out the impact that the long water residence 

time has on Central Bay. Temperature was unremarkable; DO showed deviations from long 

term median possibly as a function of CHLA fluctuations. NO3

-

 was normal except for large 

increases in Nov.-Dec. NH4

+

 was significantly below average for the year. TP was slightly 

lower during the wet season than other years. CHLA was high early in the year but declined to 

normal levels for the remainder. TOC and TON were higher in the winter-spring and lower than 

normal for rest of the year. pH in Central Bay was elevated relative to other years but unrelated 

to salinity. Turbidity was lower for 2007 as well. 

Western Florida Bay: Salinity was slightly higher than usual but probably not significantly 

so. Temperature and DO were unremarkable. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were normal for Western 

Bay. Turbidity and CHLA were generally lower than normal. 

Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands Region 

The influence of freshwater input from the Everglades Shark Slough is very influential to 

water quality of this region. Large salinity variations are the norm, being driven by both 

climactic events and water management practices. Although 2007 was relatively typical rainfall 

year, salinity patterns were generally not different from the grand medians. The exception was 

Whitewater Bay which exhibited elevated salinities until the onset of the wet season. 

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

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

management practices. Although 2007 was relatively normal rainfall year, salinity patterns were 

elevated from the grand medians during the early part of the year and were higher than normal 

during the wet season. 
6

Whitewater Bay: Salinity was elevated relative to long term median. Temperature, DO, and 

pH were unremarkable with values generally fluctuating around the median. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and 

TP concentrations were elevated while TON was reduced. TON was lower than the grand 

median. This is the result of the system-wide long term decline in TON output from the 

Everglades. TOC was slightly lower for most areas. CHLA varied seasonally and was more 

volatile than the median. 

Mangrove Rivers: Salinity fluctuated widely due to freshwater inputs from Shark Slough but 

was slightly higher than usual. Temperature and pH were unremarkable with values generally 

fluctuating around the median. DO was generally higher than normal as was turbidity. Some 

peaks in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were observed. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA 

was lower in the dry season but came up to normal levels for the rest of the year. 

Inner Waterway: Salinity fluctuated widely due to freshwater inputs from Shark Slough but 

was higher than usual. Temperature, DO, and pH were unremarkable with values generally 

fluctuating around the median. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were all higher than the norm during the wet 

season. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA showed a large peak in Jan. and Oct. but 

was normal for the rest of the year. 

Blackwater River: Salinity was elevated relative to long term median and showed a rapid 

decline in Sep with a quick rebound in Oct. Temperature, DO, turbidity, and pH were 

unremarkable with values generally fluctuating around the median. Large peaks in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, 

and TP were observed in Apr. and Oct. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA was 

lower in the dry season but varied widely for the rest of the year. 

Biscayne Bay 

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

Nevertheless, canal inputs do have a significant impact on the ecosystem, as evidenced by the 

reduced nearshore salinity patterns (Caccia and Boyer 2005). The largest intra-annual variations 

in salinity in this area are typically driven by freshwater releases from the canal system. Nutrient 

loads and concentrations in Biscayne Bay are strongly driven by canal inputs (Caccia and Boyer 

2007). Therefore, precipitation patterns have a great impact on the bay both directly and 

indirectly. 
7 

Alongshore Zone: Because 2007 was a “normal” water year, salinity was generally similar to 

the long term median. Temperature and DO were unremarkable but both turbidity and pH 

showed large fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with 

large increases in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, and TP as we have observed in other years. CHLA 

remained lower than the long term median. 

Inshore Zone: Because the Inshore Zone is a continuation of the offshore gradient, trends 

were very similar to those observed for the Alongshore Zone. Temperature and DO were 

unremarkable but both turbidity and pH showed large fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. 

The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with large increases in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, and TP as we have 

observed in other years. CHLA remained lower than the long term median. 

Main Bay: Fluctuations in water quality in the Main Bay were damped by its large volume 

and short residence time due to oceanic mixing. Salinity, temperature, DO, nutrients, and CHLA 

were all very similar to the grand median. 

South Card Sound: Water quality in Card Sound was characterized by a large peak in Oct.-

Nov. of NO3

-

, TON, TP, CHLA and turbidity. We are unsure as to what caused this anomaly as 

there was no concurrent change in salinity to suggest terrestrial input. One of the reasons for this 

may have been the advection of the Florida Bay bloom organisms to this part of Biscayne Bay by 

wind forcing, but there is no circulation data to support this. Other than that event, water quality 

was similar to long term median values. 

North Bay: The North bay is the most compartmentalized and urbanized area of Biscayne 

Bay. As such nutrients tend to be higher in this region. Because 2007 was a “normal” water 

year, salinity was generally similar to the long term median. Temperature and DO were 

unremarkable but turbidity showed large increase in the fall while pH dropped in early spring. 

Large variations in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, TP, and CHLA occurred throughout the year, often being 

temporally unrelated. As such, it is difficult to assign a cause to these fluctuations. 

Southwest Florida Shelf 

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

quarterly, there is not as much trend data to analyze as for other components. Although these 

analyses are preliminary it is possible to speculate that the clusters are formed as a function of 

hydrology and circulation patterns. We believe that the most inshore area clearly shows the 
8

input of freshwater from Shark River being transported south and east around the Cape. Water 

overlying the northern 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 

Shark Zone: Because 2007 was a “normal” water year, salinity was generally similar to the 

long term median. Temperature and turbidity were unremarkable but DO, pH, TON, and CHLA 

were low. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were similar to other years. CHLA remained lower than the long 

term median. 

Shelf Zone: Because the Shelf Zone is a continuation of the offshore gradient, trends were 

very similar to those observed for the Shark Zone. Fluctuations in water quality on the Shelf 

were damped by its large volume mixing with the Gulf of Mexico. Only DO, turbidity, pH, and 

CHLA deviated from the median being lower than usual. 

Shoal Zone: The Shoal area nearest the Ten Thousand Islands also showed similarities to the 

other SW Shelf sites with DO, turbidity, and pH being lower than usual. However, CHLA levels 

were more representative of long term median. 

Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound 

Overall, this part of coastal Florida has significantly higher concentrations of CHLA, TP, and 

DIN than the rest of the Ten Thousand Islands stations. Much of this is due to geological 

changes from carbonate rocks to silicates, which facilitates transport of phosphorus, and to major 

land use changes from the Big Cypress National Preserve to suburban and agricultural. 

The largest intra-annual variations in salinity and water quality in this area are driven by 

freshwater releases from the Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Lock (S-79 water control 

structure) and associated pathways. This is due to the need to lower the water table inland 

because of potential flooding from hurricanes and to lower the Lake Okeechobee because of 

structural problems with the Hover Dike. Releases were minimal this year due to the drought in 

central Florida. 
9 

Marco Island: Salinities remained high all year reflecting the drought conditions in the 

watershed. Variations in temperature, DO pH, and TON were unremarkable as compared to long 

term median. TOC was lower than average due to low freshwater inputs. NO3

-

 and NH4

+

 were 

highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. TP was higher than average 

in the dry season and lower in the wet season. CHLA was lower than usual but peaked in the 

fall. 

Rookery Bay: Salinities remained high all year reflecting the drought conditions in the 

watershed. Temperature, DO, pH, TON, and TP were unremarkable as compared to long term 

median. None of the measured variables help explain why pH dropped to 7.4 in May. TOC was 

lower than average due to low freshwater inputs but mirrored the annual pattern. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, 

and turbidity were highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. CHLA 

was generally lower than usual. 

Naples Bay: Salinity was marginally higher in the fall but was not different for the bulk of 

the year. Temperature, TON, and TP were unremarkable as compared to long term median. pH 

was higher than normal and also highly variable. DO was slightly higher than usual while NO3

-

and CHLA were down. Turbidity, pH, and NH4

+

 were highly variable but did not seem to be 

driven by freshwater inputs. CHLA was generally lower than usual. 

San Carlos Bay: This is the region most affected by Lake Okeechobee water releases through 

the Caloosahatchee River (S-79). The drought of 2007 was reflected in the high salinities 

throughout the region. We did not observe the usual 10-15 psu drop during the wet season nor 

the concomitant increase in NO3

-

. Temperature, DO, and TON were unremarkable as compared 

to long term median. Turbidity, NO3

-

, TP, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower than usual, 

especially during the wet season. NH4

+

was highly variable and did not seem to be driven by 

freshwater inputs. 

Estero Bay: Salinity was relatively invariant during 2007 and did not show the usual decline 

during the wet season. Temperature, TON, TP, and TOC were unremarkable as compared to 

long term median. DO was slightly elevated while pH was higher than normal in the springsummer. Turbidity, NO3

-

, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially during 

the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH4

+

. TP was 

higher in the first 8 months and then declined to below the average. NH4

+

 was highly variable 

and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. 
10

Pine Island Sound: Salinity was relatively invariant during 2007 and did not show the usual 

decline during the wet season. Temperature, NO3

-

, TON, and TP were unremarkable as 

compared to long term median. DO was elevated for the first 2 months then declined to usual 

levels. pH was generally lower than normal but peaked in May for no obvious reason. Turbidity 

was higher during the summer but quickly dropped to very low levels in Sept.-Dec. NH4

+

 was 

highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. TOC and CHLA were 

generally lower than usual, especially during the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes 

corresponded with peaks in TP and NH4

+

. 

Cocohatchee River: Like the Caloosahatchee, the Cocohatchee River at Wiggins Pass was 

under low flow conditions due to the drought. Salinity dipped only slightly during the wet 

season in contrast to the large declines usually observed. We did not observe the usual 20-25 

psu drop during the wet season or the concomitant increase in NO3

-

, NH4

+

 and TOC. Most all 

water quality variables were lower than the long term median with the exception of pH and DO 

which were higher. 

Acknowledgements 

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

their diligence and perseverance in this ongoing program, especially Pete Lorenzo. This project 

was possible due to the continued funding by the South Florida Water Management District 

(District Contract No. 4600000352). We also thank Vickie McGee at Rookery Bay NERR, the 

captain and crew of the R/V Bellows of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Everglades 

National Park Interagency Science Center for their field support of the monitoring program. 

This report is contribution #T-384 of the Southeast Environmental Research Center at 

Florida International University. 
11 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................... 3 

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND............................................................................................... 13 

3. METHODS ......................................................................................................................... 15 

3.1. LABORATORY ANALYSIS QUALITY CONTROL ............................................................... 16 

3.1.1. ACCURACY AND PRECISION ................................................................................................. 16 

3.1.2. CALIBRATION DATA ............................................................................................................ 16 

3.1.3. PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................................... 16 

3.1.4. SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS ..................................................................................................... 16 

3.1.5. EFFECTS OF THE RESULT ANALYSIS DATE-TIME ................................................................. 16 

3.1.6. ALL QC PROBLEMS AND LISTING OF AFFECTED SAMPLES .................................................. 16 

3.2. FIELD MONITORING PROBLEMS ......................................................................................... 16 

3.2.1. WEATHER RELATED ISSUES .............................................................................................. 17 

3.2.2. EQUIPMENT FAILURES ......................................................................................................... 17 

3.2.3. SCHEDULING PROBLEMS...................................................................................................... 17 

3.2.4. OTHER ................................................................................................................................. 17 

3.3. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................... 17 

3.3.1. DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................... 17 

3.3.1.1.1.OBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION ANALYSIS .......................................................................... 17 

3.3.1.2.BOX AND WHISKER PLOTS................................................................................................. 18 

3.3.1.3.CONTOUR MAPS............................................................................................................ 18 

3.3.2. SOFTWARE USED................................................................................................................ 19 

3.3.3. GRAPHICAL TREND ANALYSIS ............................................................................................. 19 

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ......................................................................................... 20 

4.1. REGIONAL CLIMATOLOGY.......................................................................................... 20 

4.2. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN FLORIDA BAY ........................................................ 22 

4.3. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN WHITEWATER BAY - TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS

COMPLEX ................................................................................................................................... 34 

4.4. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN BISCAYNE BAY...................................................... 48 
12

4.5. STATE OF WATER QUALITY ON THE SW FLORIDA SHELF.................................... 63 

4.6. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN THE CAPE ROMANO - PINE ISLAND SOUND

AREA............................................................................................................................................ 72 

5. CHANGES/UPDATES TO PREVIOUS REPORTS.......................................................... 91 

6. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 91 

7. PUBLICATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT...................................................... 92 

8. PRESENTATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT................................................... 96 

9. TABLES ........................................................................................................................... 101 
13 

2. PROJECT 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 scientific 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 abundance, 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 explicate 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 Coastal Water Quality 

Monitoring Network through December 31, 2007 (Fig. 1.1). This network includes water quality 

data collected from 28 stations in Florida Bay, 22 stations in Whitewater Bay to Lostmans River, 

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 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 stations 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 coverage 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. 
14

Figure 1.1. Fixed station locations for the SFWMD funded portion of the South Florida Coastal 

Water Quality Monitoring Network. 
15 

3. METHODS

Water samples were collected and analyzed using standard methodology outlined in the 

Quality Assurance Plan with prior approval from SFWMD and FDEP. Salinity, temperature 

(°C), dissolved oxygen (DO, mg l-1), and pH were measured 10 cm below the surface and 10 cm 

above the bottom using a combination sonde (YSI 600XL). Sondes were calibrated prior to and 

after sampling to ensure accuracy. 

Duplicate, unfiltered water samples were collected 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 HDPE bottles, which were then capped and immediately placed on ice 

in the dark for transport. 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 CO2-free air. TN was measured using an ANTEK 7000N 

Nitrogen Analyzer using O2 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 and Sharp 1980). The APA assay measures the 

activity of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme used 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 compound (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 Fluoro IV spectrofluorometer (excitation = 430 nm, 

emission = 507 nm) and subtracted to give APA (μM h-1). APA measurements were 

discontinued after Sept. 30, 2006 at the request of SFWMD. Turbidity was measured using an 

HF Scientific model DRT-15C turbidimeter and reported in NTU. 
16

Filtrates were analyzed for soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), nitrate + nitrite (NOX

-

), nitrite 

(NO2

-

), ammonium (NH4

+

), and silicate (SiO2) by flow injection analysis (Alpkem model RFA 

300). Filters for CHLA content (μg l-1) were allowed to extract for a minimum of 2 days at -20° 

C before analysis. Extracts were analyzed using a Gilford Fluoro IV Spectrofluorometer 

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

(Sigma). 

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

(NO3

-

) was calculated as NOX

-

 - NO2

-

. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was calculated as 

NOX

-

 + NH4

+

. Total organic nitrogen (TON) was defined as TN - DIN. Concentrations 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. 

3.1.LABORATORY ANALYSIS QUALITY CONTROL

All laboratory QC data and results are included as a separate Project QA report file on the 

CD. This report includes discussion on the following topics: 

3.1.1. ACCURACY AND PRECISION

3.1.2. CALIBRATION DATA

3.1.3. PROBLEMS

3.1.4. SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS

3.1.5. EFFECTS OF THE RESULT ANALYSIS DATE-TIME

3.1.6. ALL QC PROBLEMS AND LISTING OF AFFECTED 

SAMPLES

3.2.FIELD MONITORING PROBLEMS

All field monitoring QC data and results are included as a separate Project QA report file on 

the CD. This report includes discussion on the following topics: 
17 

3.2.1. WEATHER RELATED ISSUES

3.2.2. EQUIPMENT FAILURES

3.2.3. SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

3.2.4. OTHER

3.3.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

3.3.1. DISCUSSION

3.3.1.1.1.OBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION ANALYSIS

Stations were stratified according to water quality characteristics (i.e. physical, chemical, and 

biological variables) using a statistical approach. Multivariate statistical techniques have been 

shown to be useful in reducing a large data set into a smaller set of independent, synthetic 

variables that capture much of the original variance. The method we chose was a type of 

objective classification analysis (OCA) which uses principal component analysis (PCA) 

followed by k-means clustering algorithm to classify sites as to their overall water quality. This 

approach has been very useful in understanding the factors influencing nutrient biogeochemistry 

in Florida Bay (Boyer et al., 1997), Biscayne Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands (Boyer 2006). 

We have found that water quality at a specific site is the result of the interaction of a variety of 

driving forces including oceanic and freshwater inputs/outputs, sinks, and internal cycling. 

Briefly, data were first standardized as Z-scores prior to analysis to reduce artifacts of 

differences in magnitude among variables and to convert values to deviations from the mean and 

express them as multiples of standard deviation. PCA was used to extract statistically significant 

composite variables (principal components) from the original data (Overland and Preisendorfer 

1982). The PCA solution was rotated (using VARIMAX) in order to facilitate the interpretation 

of the principal components and the factor scores were saved for each data record. Both the 

mean and SD of the factor scores for each station over the entire period of record were then used 

as independent variables in a cluster analysis (k-means algorithm) in order to aggregate stations 

into groups of similar water quality. The purpose of this analysis was to collapse the 154 

stations into a few groups which could then be analyzed in more detail. 
18

3.3.1.2. BOX AND WHISKER PLOTS

Typically, water quality data are skewed to the left (low concentrations and below detects) 

resulting in non-normal distributions. Therefore it is more appropriate to use the median as the 

measure of central tendency because the mean is inflated by high outliers (Christian et al. 1991). 

Data distributions of water quality variables are reported as box-and-whiskers plots. The boxand-whisker plot is a powerful statistic as it shows the median, range, the data distribution as 

well as serving as a graphical, nonparametric ANOVA. The center horizontal line of the box is 

the median of the data, the top and bottom of the box are the 25th and 75th percentiles (quartiles), 

and the ends of the whiskers are the 5th and 95th percentiles. The notch in the box is the 95% 

confidence interval of the median. When notches between boxes do not overlap, the medians are 

considered significantly different. Outliers (<5th and >95th percentiles) were excluded from the 

graphs to reduce visual compression. Differences in variables were also tested between groups 

using the Wilcoxon Ranked Sign test (comparable to a t-test) and among groups by the KruskallWallace test (ANOVA) with significance set at P<0.05. 

3.3.1.3. CONTOUR MAPS

In an effort to elucidate the contribution of external factors to the water quality of the region 

and to visualize gradients in water quality over the region, we combined data from other portions 

of our water quality monitoring network including the Florida Keys national Marine Sanctuary 

(http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/CONTOUR%20MAPS/ContourMaps.htm). Data from these 

additional stations were collected during the same month as the SFWMD surveys and analyzed 

by the SERC laboratory using identical methods. Contour maps were produced using Surfer 

(Golden Software). The most important aspect of generating contour maps is the geostatistical 

algorithm used for interpolating the data values. Care should be taken in the selection of the 

algorithm because automated interpolation to a regular rectangular grid can produce artifacts, 

especially around the edges and when the area of interest is irregularly shaped. The kriging 

algorithm was used because it is designed to minimize the error variance while at the same time 

maintaining point pattern continuity (Isaaks & Srivastava, 1989). Kriging is a global approach 

which uses standard geostatistics to determine the "distance" of influence around each point and 
19 

the "clustering" of similar samples sites (autocorrelation). Therefore, unlike the inverse distance 

procedure, kriging will not produce valleys in the contour between neighboring points of similar 

value. 

3.3.2. SOFTWARE USED

Data were analyzed using Statview (SAS), JMP (SAS), and SURFER (Golden Software). 

3.3.3. GRAPHICAL TREND ANALYSIS

Times series were plotted by zone as medians of monthly data for the complete period of 

record to illustrate any temporal trend that might have occurred. Secular trends were quantified 

by simple regression with significance set at P<0.05. 
20

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. REGIONAL CLIMATOLOGY

Climate variability has major effects on the health of South Florida ecosystems because 

precipitation, temperature, evaporation and wind-driven water flow affect circulation, salinity, 

water exchange and biogeochemical processes. Furthermore, in a significant proportion water 

flow from Everglades managed canals partially follow precipitation cycles contributing further 

to complexity in response from coastal waters. Precipitation on the region has not been uniform 

over the data collection period of record, neither in space nor in time. 2007 was an average 

precipitation year from Palm Beach south, but the northern watershed, including Lake 

Okeechobee itself, experienced an extreme drought (Fig. 4.1.2). This unusual dry year forced 

the SFWMD to curtail water supply to South Florida ecosystems, especially affecting those 

stations influenced by the Loxahatchee. Dryness plus reduced canal flows significantly affected 

the SW Florida coast during 2007. Precipitation in the Everglades (Royal Palm) rebounded from 

the drought of the late 1980's and reached levels equal or greater than the long term average 

(1949-2007; 141.68 cm yr-1) for 10 of the last 17 years (Fig 4.1.3). Total precipitation for 2007 

was 150.27 cm yr-1 making it equal to the median value year since 1991. Nevertheless, July and 

August were above their respective medians by about 11 cm. 
21 

Figure 4.1.2. Precipitation of Central and South Florida (modified from Sobczak 2008) 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

cm mo-1

Figure 4.1.3. Monthly rainfall in South Florida (Royal Palm gage). The red line is long term 

monthly average (since 1948); the blue line is 12 month moving average. 
22

4.2.STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN FLORIDA BAY

Overall Period of Record

Effective Oct. 1, 2007 as per SFWMD contract, no samples were analyzed for silicate and 

field duplicates were reduced to 10% of all sites collected. 

The main external influences on water quality in Florida Bay are water exchange with the 

Gulf of Mexico at the western boundary, atmospheric precipitation, and terrestrial input from 

Taylor Slough and C-111 panhandle (Rudnick et al. 1999). The two largest impacts cannot be 

managed by man and even freshwater inputs from land are highly tied to climactic conditions 

and events. 

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

groups of stations, which have robust similarities in water quality (Fig. 4.1.1). 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 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 seawater. In contrast, the Central Bay is a 

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

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

the Gulf of Mexico tides and is also isolated from direct overland freshwater sources. 
23 

-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 ( )

Figure 4.1.1. Zones of similar water quality in Florida Bay 

Early in the record, salinity and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations 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. 4.1.4-4.1.6). The box-and-whisker plots presented in this and following figures show the 

range (boxes are quartiles; whiskers include 90% of data) and median (line in box) of the 

monthly data. Some of this decrease in Eastern Bay could be accounted 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 experience hypersaline 

conditions (>35) during the summer but the extent and duration of the events is much shorter. 

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

dynamic and spatially heterogeneous (Fig. 4.1.6-4.1.6). The Eastern Bay generally has the 

lowest CHLA while the Central Bay is highest. In the 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 had remained relatively stable 

until the hurricanes of 2005. Since then a large cyanobacterial bloom has been present in this 
24

region (Rudnick et al. 2006). The general consensus was that the bloom formed as a result of 

water management in response to hurricane activity and disturbance from road construction. The 

bloom declined in early 2007 but rebounded in the wet season. 

The isolated Central Bay zone underwent a 5-fold 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 large rainfall input (Oct. 1999) 

which spiked the largest blooms in this region of 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 large 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 14 year period 

of record (until the 2005 hurricane season). As with salinity, most of these declines occurred 

early in the record. Unlike most other estuaries, increased terrestrial runoff 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 levels in the bay. It is also important 

to understand that 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 elevated TP in the 

Central Bay is mostly due to concentration effect of high evaporation. Recently, there have been 

significant peaks during the fall season in both Eastern and Western Bays. The 2005 hurricane 

season impacted the Eastern Bay with large loading of TP. In addition, the US Route 1 road 

construction may have had an impact as well (Rudnick et al. 2006). TP has declined but 

remained elevated in Eastern Bay through 2007. 

The dissolved inorganic nitrogen assemblage (DIN) is made up of ammonium (NH4

+

), nitrate 

(NO3

-

), and nitrate (NO2

-

). The Western Bay is lowest in DIN; phytoplankton in this region may 

be limited by N availability on a regular basis. DIN in the Eastern Bay is a little higher and is 

mostly in the form of NO3

-

 while highest levels are found in the Central Bay as NH4

+

. 

Turbidity in the Central and Western Bays have increased greatly since 1991 (not shown). 

Turbidity in Eastern Bay increased 2-fold from 1991-93, while Central and Western Bays 
25 

increased by factors of 20 and 4, respectively. Turbidity 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 sediment coverage. We are unsure as to the 

cause, but the loss of seagrass coverage may have destabilized the bottom so that it is more 

easily disturbed by wind events. 
26 

Eastern Florida Bay Zone 

0

102030405060

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.200.400.600.801.00

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.09

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0

ppb

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.1.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Eastern Florida Bay by survey.
27 

Central Florida Bay Zone 

0

10203040506070

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.200.400.600.801.001.20

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.035.0

ppb

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.1.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Central Florida Bay by survey.
28 

Western Florida Bay Zone 

0

102030405060

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.30

ppm

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.0

ppb

1989-06

1990-01

1990-06

1990-11

1991-04

1991-10

1992-03

1992-08

1993-01

1993-06

1993-11

1994-04

1994-09

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.1.6. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Western Florida Bay by survey. 
29 

2007 Alone

The following Figures 4.1.7-4.1.9 show the monthly median of 2007 data from each zone 

compared to the long term median for each zone. We feel that this graphical approach is useful 

in pointing out anomalies and present some possible explanations for these differences. 

2007 was a typical rainfall year (since 1991), however it showed higher salinity in the bay 

during the first few months than usual, perhaps caused by precipitation deficits (below grand 

median) for January, February, March, May, June and September. There were no direct 

hurricane impacts to Florida Bay during 2007. 

Eastern Bay

Salinity was higher in the early months due to the drier than normal dry season (Fig 4.1.7). 

This points out the impact that the long water residence time has on Eastern Bay and the 

importance of rainfall. Temperature, DO, and turbidity were unremarkable. NO3

-

 was higher 

than normal especially for the summer months (Fig 4.1.7). NH4

+

 was higher than the grand 

median for the first half of the year and then rapidly declined to below average levels during 

August. TP was elevated in Eastern Bay throughout most of the year as a result of the previous 

hurricane and road construction interaction (Rudnick et al. 2006). CHLA showed an inverse 

pattern to DIN, being highest in the wet season. TON and TOC were lower than the grand 

median being indicative of temporal trend towards lower concentration. 

Central Bay

Salinity was higher in the early months due to the drier than normal dry season and was also 

high in Sep.-Nov. (Fig 4.1.8). This points out the impact that the long water residence time has 

on Central Bay. Temperature was unremarkable; DO showed deviations from long term median 

possibly as a function of CHLA fluctuations. NO3

-

 was normal except for large increases in 

Nov.-Dec. (Fig 4.1.8). NH4

+

 was significantly below average for the year. TP was slightly 

lower during the wet season than other years. CHLA was high early in the year but declined to 

normal levels for the remainder. TOC and TON were higher in the winter-spring and lower than 

normal for rest of the year. pH in Central Bay was elevated relative to other years but unrelated 

to salinity. Turbidity was lower for 2007 as well. 
30 

Western Bay

Salinity was slightly higher than usual (Fig 4.1.9) but probably not significantly so. 

Temperature and DO were unremarkable. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were normal for Western Bay. 

Turbidity and CHLA were generally lower than normal. 

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at: 

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

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

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm
31 

Eastern Florida Bay (FBE)

NO3

-

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

0.018

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.1.7. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
32 

Central Florida Bay (FBC)

NO3

-

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

10

20

30

40

50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

8.6

8.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.1.8. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
33 

Western Florida Bay (FBW)

NO3

-

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

8.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.1.9. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
34 

4.3. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN WHITEWATER BAY - TEN

THOUSAND ISLANDS COMPLEX

Overall Period of Record

As of Oct. 1, 2007 the SFWMD contract no longer includes sampling at 4 sites in 

Whitewater Bay area, # 31, 45, 46, and 50. As of Oct. 1, 2007 the SFWMD contract no longer 

includes sampling at 5 sites in Ten Thousand Islands area, #51, 60, 62, 68, and 73. Also 

effective Oct. 1, 2007 as per SFWMD contract, no samples were analyzed for silicate and field 

duplicates were reduced to 10% of all sites collected. 

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

groups of stations, which have robust similarities in water quality (Fig. 4.2.1). The first cluster 

was composed of 13 stations in and around the Shark, Harney, Broad, and Lostmans Rivers and 

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

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

Whitewater Bay proper (WWB). Twelve stations were sited 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) included 11 stations distributed throughout the 

inside passage as well as the Chatham River and the station off Everglades City. 
35 

-81.5 -81.0

25.0

25.5

42

43

44

45 46 47

4849

29

30 31

32

33 34 35

36

37 38

39

63

70

40 41

51

52

65

66

67 68 71 69

72 73

50

7475

535455

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

Figure 4.2.1. Zones of similar water quality in Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands complex 

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. 4.1.2-4.1.6). 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. Highest CHLA were observed in the semi-enclosed areas such as Whitewater 

Bay and the Inner Wilderness Waterway. It is possible that 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 northward along the coast. The spatial 

distribution of DIN was generally opposite to that of TP. The net effect was the formation of a 

gradient with strong phosphorus limitation occurring in the southern region which shifted to a 
36 

more balanced N:P ratio in the northern area around the Blackwater River. The Mangrove 

Rivers were a significant source of TOC to the Shelf. 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. The width of the mangrove forest is widest in the south (15 km) but 

grades to only 4 km wide in the northern TTI; this being a function of elevation and sediment 

type. Whitewater Bay is a semi-enclosed body of water with a relatively long residence time, 

which receives overland 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 directly 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 forest 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 input due to the poorly drained watershed of the Big Cypress Basin. 

Instead of mangrove river channels there are many mangrove islands set in low tidal energy 

environment situated behind the Cape Romano Shoals. Finally there is the Blackwater River 

cluster with highest TP concentrations. There is considerable agriculture (tomatoes, etc.) in the 

Blackwater River watershed, which may contribute significant amounts of P to the system via 

drainage ditches. Further analysis of this relationship is planned. 
37 

Whitewater Bay Zone 

05

101520253035

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-05

1997-10

1998-03

1998-08

1999-02

1999-07

1999-12

2000-05

2000-10

2001-03

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

0.000.100.200.300.400.50

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-05

1997-10

1998-03

1998-08

1999-02

1999-07

1999-12

2000-05

2000-10

2001-03

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

0.000.020.040.060.080.10

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-05

1997-10

1998-03

1998-08

1999-02

1999-07

1999-12

2000-05

2000-10

2001-03

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.0

ppb

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-05

1997-10

1998-03

1998-08

1999-02

1999-07

1999-12

2000-05

2000-10

2001-03

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.2.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.
38 

Mangrove Rivers Zone 

05

1015202530354045

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.000.100.200.300.400.50

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.12

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.02.04.06.08.0

10.012.014.016.018.0

ppb

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.2.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.
39 

Gulf Islands Zone 

05

1015202530354045

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.000.050.100.150.20

ppm

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.0

ppb

1992-09

1993-02

1993-07

1993-12

1994-05

1994-10

1995-03

1995-08

1996-01

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-02

2001-07

2001-12

2002-05

2002-10

2003-03

2003-08

2004-01

2004-06

2004-11

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.2.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.
40 

Inner Waterway Zone 

05

10152025303540

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-01

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-04

2001-09

2002-02

2002-07

2002-12

2003-05

2003-10

2004-03

2004-08

2005-01

2005-09

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35

ppm

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-01

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-04

2001-09

2002-02

2002-07

2002-12

2003-05

2003-10

2004-03

2004-08

2005-01

2005-09

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-01

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-04

2001-09

2002-02

2002-07

2002-12

2003-05

2003-10

2004-03

2004-08

2005-01

2005-09

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.0

ppb

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-01

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-04

2001-09

2002-02

2002-07

2002-12

2003-05

2003-10

2004-03

2004-08

2005-01

2005-09

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.2.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.
41 

Blackwater River Zone 

05

10152025303540

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-02

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

200510

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.30

ppm

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-02

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

200510

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-02

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

200510

0.05.0

10.015.020.0

ppb

1994-09

1995-02

1995-07

1996-02

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

200510

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.2.6. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey. 
42 

2007 Alone

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

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

management practices (Fig. 4.2.7-4.2.10). Although 2007 was relatively normal rainfall year, 

salinity patterns were elevated from the grand medians during the early part of the year and were 

higher than normal during the wet season, as result of precipitation deficits (below grand 

median) for January, February, March, May, June and September 

Whitewater Bay

Salinity was elevated relative to long term median (Fig. 4.2.7). Temperature, DO, and pH 

were unremarkable with values generally fluctuating around the median. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP 

concentrations were elevated while TON was reduced. TON was lower than the grand median. 

This is the result of the system-wide long term decline in TON output from the Everglades. 

TOC was slightly lower for most areas. CHLA varied seasonally and was more volatile than the 

median. 

Mangrove Rivers

Salinity fluctuated widely due to freshwater inputs from Shark Slough but was slightly 

higher than usual (Fig. 4.2.8). Temperature and pH were unremarkable with values generally 

fluctuating around the median. DO was generally higher than normal as was turbidity. Some 

peaks in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were observed. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA 

was lower in the dry season but came up to normal levels for the rest of the year. 

Inner Waterway

Salinity fluctuated widely due to freshwater inputs from Shark Slough but was higher than 

usual (Fig. 4.2.9). Temperature, DO, and pH were unremarkable with values generally 

fluctuating around the median. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were all higher than the norm during the wet 

season. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA showed a large peak in Jan. and Oct. but 

was normal for the rest of the year. 
43 

Blackwater River

Salinity was elevated relative to long term median and showed a rapid decline in Sep with a 

quick rebound in Oct. (Fig. 4.2.10). Temperature, DO, turbidity, and pH were unremarkable 

with values generally fluctuating around the median. Large peaks in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were 

observed in Apr. and Oct. TON was lower than the grand median. CHLA was lower in the dry 

season but varied widely for the rest of the year. 

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at: 

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

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

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm
44 

Whitewater Bay (WWB)

NO3

-

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.03

0.04

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.2.7. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
45 

Mangrove Rivers (MR)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.03

0.04

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.2.8. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
46 

Inner Waterway (IWW)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.2.9. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
47 

Blackwater River (BLK)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.2.10. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
48 

4.4. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN BISCAYNE BAY

Overall Period of Record

As of Oct. 1, 2007 the SFWMD contract no longer includes sampling at 6 sites in Biscayne 

Bay #103, 109, 113, 116, 126, and 132. Also effective Oct. 1, 2007 as per SFWMD contract, no 

samples were analyzed for silicate and field duplicates were reduced to 10% of all sites 

collected. 

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

groups of stations, which have robust similarities in water quality (Fig. 4.3.1). The first cluster 

was composed of 2 stations closest to the shore 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 farther from the coast called Inshore (IS). Thirteen 

stations situated mostly in the bay proper were 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). 
49 

-80.4 -80.3 -80.2 -80.1

25.5 101

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

Figure 4.3.1. Zones of similar water quality in Biscayne Bay. 

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

<IS <MAIN clusters Fig. 4.3.2-4.3.6). Opposite to the salinity gradient, highest concentrations 

of CHLA, DIN, and TP were observed near the coast. This types of gradient are indicative of 

anthropogenic inputs. NBAY showed DIN levels comparable to the high concentrations seen 

AS but had a higher median 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 attributed to the long water residence time of this basin as 

evidence by near ocean salinities. TOC concentrations were highest in AS > IS > MAIN, 
50 

denoting a freshwater source (not shown). CHLA was low in most areas showing the same 

general gradient as TP. The cyanobacterial bloom in Eastern Florida Bay which had 

occasionally intruded into South Card Sound during 2006 was generally not an issue in 2007. 
51 

Alongshore Zone 

05

10152025303540

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.000.200.400.600.801.001.201.40

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.06

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0

ppb

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.3.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.
52 

Inshore Zone 

05

10152025303540

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

0.000.200.400.600.801.00

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.06

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.0

ppb

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

2005-02

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.3.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.
53 

Main Bay Zone 

05

10152025303540

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.000.100.200.300.400.50

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.000.010.020.030.040.05

ppm

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

0.01.02.03.04.05.0

ppb

1993-09

1994-02

1994-07

1994-12

1995-05

1995-10

1996-03

1996-08

1997-01

1997-06

1997-11

1998-04

1998-10

1999-03

1999-08

2000-01

2000-06

2000-11

2001-05

2001-10

2002-03

2002-08

2003-01

2003-06

2003-11

2004-04

2004-09

200502

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.3.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.
54 

South Card Sound Zone 

05

10152025303540

1993-10

1994-03

1994-08

1995-01

1995-06

1995-11

1996-04

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-06

2001-11

2002-04

2002-09

2003-02

2003-07

2003-12

2004-05

2004-10

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1993-10

1994-03

1994-08

1995-01

1995-06

1995-11

1996-04

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-06

2001-11

2002-04

2002-09

2003-02

2003-07

2003-12

2004-05

2004-10

0.000.010.020.030.04

ppm

1993-10

1994-03

1994-08

1995-01

1995-06

1995-11

1996-04

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-06

2001-11

2002-04

2002-09

2003-02

2003-07

2003-12

2004-05

2004-10

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0

ppb

1993-10

1994-03

1994-08

1995-01

1995-06

1995-11

1996-04

1996-09

1997-02

1997-07

1997-12

1998-05

1998-11

1999-04

1999-09

2000-02

2000-07

2000-12

2001-06

2001-11

2002-04

2002-09

2003-02

2003-07

2003-12

2004-05

2004-10

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.3.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.
55 

North Bay Zone 

05

10152025303540

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-03

2001-08

2002-01

2002-06

2002-11

2003-04

2003-09

2004-02

2004-07

2004-12

2005-08

0.000.100.200.300.40

ppm

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-03

2001-08

2002-01

2002-06

2002-11

2003-04

2003-09

2004-02

2004-07

2004-12

2005-08

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.06

ppm

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-03

2001-08

2002-01

2002-06

2002-11

2003-04

2003-09

2004-02

2004-07

2004-12

2005-08

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0

10.0

ppb

1996-06

1996-11

1997-04

1997-09

1998-02

1998-07

1999-01

1999-06

1999-11

2000-04

2000-09

2001-03

2001-08

2002-01

2002-06

2002-11

2003-04

2003-09

2004-02

2004-07

2004-12

2005-08

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.3.6. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey. 
56 

2007 Alone

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

Nevertheless, canal inputs do have a significant impact on the ecosystem, as evidenced by the 

reduced nearshore salinity patterns (Caccia and Boyer 2005). The largest intra-annual variations 

in salinity in this area are typically driven by freshwater releases from the canal system. Nutrient 

loads and concentrations in Biscayne Bay are strongly driven by canal inputs (Caccia and Boyer 

2007). Therefore, precipitation patterns have a great impact on the bay both directly and 

indirectly. Unexplained low pHs for March and April were observed baywide. 

Alongshore Zone

Because 2007 was a “normal” water year, salinity was generally similar to the long term 

median (Fig. 4.3.7). Temperature and DO were unremarkable but both turbidity and pH showed 

large fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with large 

increases in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, and TP as we have observed in other years. CHLA remained 

lower than the long term median. 

Inshore Zone

Because the Inshore Zone is a continuation of the offshore gradient, trends were very similar 

to those observed for the Alongshore Zone (Fig. 4.3.8). Temperature and DO were 

unremarkable but both turbidity and pH showed large fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. 

The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with large increases in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, and TP as we have 

observed in other years. CHLA remained lower than the long term median. 

Main Bay

Fluctuations in water quality in the Main Bay were damped by its large volume and short 

residence time due to oceanic mixing. Salinity, temperature, DO, nutrients, and CHLA were all 

very similar to the grand median (Fig. 4.3.9). 

South Card Sound

Water quality in Card Sound was characterized by a large peak in Oct.-Nov. of NO3

-

, TON, 

TP, CHLA and turbidity. (Fig. 4.3.10) We are unsure as to what caused this anomaly as there 
57 

was no concurrent change in salinity to suggest terrestrial input. One of the reasons for this may 

have been the advection of the Florida Bay bloom organisms to this part of Biscayne Bay by 

wind forcing, but there is no circulation data to support this. Other than that event, water quality 

was similar to long term median values. 

North Bay

The North bay is the most compartmentalized and urbanized area of Biscayne Bay. As such 

nutrients tend to be higher in this region (Fig. 4.3.11). Because 2007 was a “normal” water year, 

salinity was generally similar to the long term median. Temperature and DO were unremarkable 

but turbidity showed large increase in the fall while pH dropped in early spring. Large variations 

in NO3

-

, NH4

+

, TON, TP, and CHLA occurred throughout the year, often being temporally 

unrelated. As such, it is difficult to assign a cause to these fluctuations. 

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at: 

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

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

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm
58 

Alongshore (AS)

NO3

-

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.4

0.4

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.3.7. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
59 

Inshore (IS)

NO3

-

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.3.8. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
60 

Main Bay (MAIN)

NO3

-

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

0.008

0.009

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.3.9. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
61 

South Card Sound(SCARD)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

0.030

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.3.10. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
62 

North Bay (NBAY)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.3.11. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
63 

4.5. STATE OF WATER QUALITY ON THE SW FLORIDA SHELF

Overall Period of Record

As of Oct. 1, 2007 the SFWMD contract no longer includes sampling of any of the 49 SW 

Shelf sites. 

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

groups of stations, which have robust similarities in water quality (Fig. 4.4.1). The first cluster 

was composed of only 2 stations, which were closest 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 northerly stations nearest the coast and called 

SHOAL. The remaining stations were called the SHELF group. 

-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 4.4.1. Zones of similar water quality on the SW Shelf. 
64 

Salinity is typically lowest in the SHARK zone as a result of its proximity to the Shark 

River/Everglades influence (Fig. 4.4.2-4.4.4). There is a decreasing concentration gradient of 

SHARK > SHOAL > SHELF for CHLA, TP, and TOC. It is clear that the SHARK stations have 

higher DIN concentrations while the SHOAL and SHELF stations were more similar. 

The clustering is driven by hydrology and circulation patterns as related to nutrient gradients. 

The inshore cluster (SHARK) clearly shows the inputs 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 Thousand Islands. Our level of resolution is 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 
65 

Shark Zone 

05

1015202530354045

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-08

2004-01

2004-07

2005-01

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-08

2004-01

2004-07

2005-01

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.090.10

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-08

2004-01

2004-07

2005-01

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0

10.0

ppb

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-08

2004-01

2004-07

2005-01

SalinityDissolved Inorganic N

Total PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.4.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in SW Florida Shelf by survey.
66 

Shelf Zone 

05

10152025303540

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-10

2005-07

200601

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.09

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-10

2005-07

0.000.010.020.030.040.05

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-10

2005-07

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0

10.0

ppb

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-10

2005-07

200601

SalinityDissolved Inorganic N

Total PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.4.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in SW Florida Shelf by survey.
67 

Shoal Zone 

05

10152025303540

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-07

2005-01

200510

0.000.010.020.030.040.050.06

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-07

2005-01

200510

0.000.010.020.030.04

ppm

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-07

2005-01

200510

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0

ppb

1995-05

1995-12

1996-07

1997-02

1997-07

1998-01

1998-07

1999-01

1999-07

2000-01

2000-07

2001-01

2001-07

2002-01

2002-08

2003-01

2003-07

2003-10

2004-04

2004-07

2005-01

200510

SalinityDissolved Inorganic N

Total PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.4.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in SW Florida Shelf by survey. 
68 

2007 Alone

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

quarterly, there is not as much trend data to analyze as for other areas. In addition, the SW Shelf 

sampling was cancelled as of Oct. 1, 2007 so no new data will be reported after Survey 49. 

Shark Zone

Because 2007 was a “normal” water year, salinity was generally similar to the long term 

median (Fig. 4.4.5). Temperature and turbidity were unremarkable but DO, pH, TON, and 

CHLA were low. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, and TP were similar to other years. CHLA remained lower than 

the long term median. 

Shelf Zone

Because the Shelf Zone is a continuation of the offshore gradient, trends were very similar to 

those observed for the Shark Zone (Fig. 4.4.6). Fluctuations in water quality on the Shelf were 

damped by its large volume mixing with the Gulf of Mexico. Only DO, turbidity, pH, and 

CHLA deviated from the median being lower than usual. 

Shoal Zone

The Shoal area nearest the Ten Thousand Islands also showed similarities to the other SW 

Shelf sites with DO, turbidity, and pH being lower than usual. However, CHLA levels were 

more representative of long term median. 

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at: 

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

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

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm
69 

Shark (SHARK)

NO3

-

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

0.025

0.030

0.035

0.040

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.4.5. Comparison of long-term median with 2006 data. 
70 

Shelf (SHELF)

NO3

-

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

0.008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

0.018

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.4.6. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
71 

Shoal (SHOAL)

NO3

-

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.4.7. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
72 

4.6. STATE OF WATER QUALITY IN THE CAPE ROMANO - PINE

ISLAND SOUND AREA

Overall Period of Record

Effective Oct. 1, 2007 as per SFWMD contract, no samples were analyzed for silicate and 

field duplicates were reduced to 10% of all sites collected. 

Because of the heterogeneous nature of the region, we used generally accepted 

geomorphological characteristics to group the stations (Fig. 4.5.1). These groupings are the 

Cocohatchee River at Wiggins 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). SCB is located at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, a major managed outlet for 

freshwater from Lake Okeechobee. 

Figure 4.5.1. Map of station locations in Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area. 

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

of the Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Lock (S-79 water control structure) (Fig. 4.5.2-4.5.8). 

CHLA is elevated in this area but not excessive when compared to the overall Ten Thousand 

Islands. SCB is most directly affected by the releases also had highest concentrations of TP, 

DIN, and TOC. Estero Bay also exhibited lower salinities than the other areas as a result of 
73 

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 concentrations of CHLA, TP, and DIN than the 

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

carbonate to silicate bedrock, which facilitates transport of phosphorus, and to major land use 

changes from the Big Cypress National Preserve to suburban and agricultural. Except San Carlos 

Bay, all zone share common regime shift for TP in Oct-Nov 2002, when concentrations 

decreased drastically to gradually return to higher concentrations by 2006. These seem to be 

related to water management practices. 
74 

Marco Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.
75 

Rookery Bay Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.30

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.020.040.060.080.10

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.
76 

Naples Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.15

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.
77 

San Carlos Bay Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.100.200.300.400.500.600.70

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.
78 

Estero Bay Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.200.25

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.140.160.18

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.6. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.
79 

Pine Island Sound Zone 

05

10152025303540

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.20

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.000.050.100.150.20

ppm

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.0

ppb

1999-01

1999-04

1999-07

1999-10

2000-01

2000-04

2000-07

2000-10

2001-01

2001-04

2001-07

2001-10

2002-01

2002-04

2002-07

2002-10

2003-01

2003-04

2003-07

2003-10

2004-01

2004-04

2004-07

2004-10

2005-01

2005-07

2005-10

2006-01

2006-04

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

Figure 4.5.7. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey. 
80 

Cocohatchee River at Wiggins Pass 

SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a

05

10152025303540

1999-02

1999-04

1999-06

1999-08

1999-10

1999-12

2000-02

2000-04

2000-06

2000-08

2000-10

2000-12

2001-02

2001-04

2001-06

2001-08

2001-10

2001-12

2002-02

2002-04

2002-06

2002-08

2002-10

2002-12

2003-02

2003-04

2003-06

2003-08

2003-10

2003-12

2004-02

2004-04

2004-06

2004-08

2004-10

200412

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35

ppm

1999-02

1999-04

1999-06

1999-08

1999-10

1999-12

2000-02

2000-04

2000-06

2000-08

2000-10

2000-12

2001-02

2001-04

2001-06

2001-08

2001-10

2001-12

2002-02

2002-04

2002-06

2002-08

2002-10

2002-12

2003-02

2003-04

2003-06

2003-08

2003-10

2003-12

2004-02

2004-04

2004-06

2004-08

2004-10

200412

0.000.020.040.060.080.100.12

ppm

1999-02

1999-04

1999-06

1999-08

1999-10

1999-12

2000-02

2000-04

2000-06

2000-08

2000-10

2000-12

2001-02

2001-04

2001-06

2001-08

2001-10

2001-12

2002-02

2002-04

2002-06

2002-08

2002-10

2002-12

2003-02

2003-04

2003-06

2003-08

2003-10

2003-12

2004-02

2004-04

2004-06

2004-08

2004-10

200412

0.05.0

10.015.020.0

ppm

1999-02

1999-04

1999-06

1999-08

1999-10

1999-12

2000-02

2000-04

2000-06

2000-08

2000-10

2000-12

2001-02

2001-04

2001-06

2001-08

2001-10

2001-12

2002-02

2002-04

2002-06

2002-08

2002-10

2002-12

2003-02

2003-04

2003-06

2003-08

2003-10

2003-12

2004-02

2004-04

2004-06

2004-08

2004-10

200412

Figure 4.5.8. Single point times series of water quality in the Cocohatchee River by survey. 
81 

2007 Alone

The largest intra-annual variations in salinity and water quality in this area are driven by 

freshwater releases from the Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Lock (S-79 water control 

structure) and associated pathways (Fig. 4.5.8-4.5.14). This is due to the need to lower the water 

table inland because of potential flooding from hurricanes and to lower the Lake Okeechobee 

because of structural problems with the Hover Dike. Releases were minimal this year due to the 

drought in central Florida which caused record low levels in Lake Okeechobee. This added to 

the rainfall deficit resulted in water quality widely fluctuating d deviating from the grand median 

during year 2007. 

Marco Island

Salinities remained high all year reflecting the drought conditions in the watershed. 

Variations in temperature, DO pH, and TON were unremarkable as compared to long term 

median (Fig. 4.5.8). TOC was lower than average due to low freshwater inputs. NO3

-

 and NH4

+

were highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. TP was higher than 

average in the dry season and lower in the wet season. CHLA was lower than usual but peaked 

in the fall. 

Rookery Bay

Salinities remained high all year reflecting the drought conditions in the watershed. 

Temperature, DO, pH, TON, and TP were unremarkable as compared to long term median (Fig. 

4.5.9). None of the measured variables help explain why pH dropped to 7.4 in May. TOC was 

lower than average due to low freshwater inputs but mirrored the annual pattern. NO3

-

, NH4

+

, 

and turbidity were highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. CHLA 

was generally lower than usual. 

Naples Bay

Salinity was marginally higher in the fall but was not different for the bulk of the year. 

Temperature, TON, and TP were unremarkable as compared to long term median (Fig. 4.5.10). 

pH was higher than normal and also highly variable. DO was slightly higher than usual while 
82 

NO3

-

 and CHLA were down. Turbidity, pH, and NH4

+

 were highly variable but did not seem to 

be driven by freshwater inputs. CHLA was generally lower than usual. 

San Carlos Bay

This is the region most affected by Lake Okeechobee water releases through the 

Caloosahatchee River (S-79). The drought of 2007 was reflected in the high salinities 

throughout the region (Fig. 4.5.11). We did not observe the usual 10-15 psu drop during the wet 

season nor the concomitant increase in NO3

-

. Temperature, DO, and TON were unremarkable as 

compared to long term median. Turbidity, NO3

-

, TP, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower 

than usual, especially during the wet season. NH4

+

was highly variable and did not seem to be 

driven by freshwater inputs. 

Estero Bay

Salinity was relatively invariant during 2007 and did not show the usual decline during the 

wet season (Fig. 4.5.12). Temperature, TON, TP, and TOC were unremarkable as compared to 

long term median. DO was slightly elevated while pH was higher than normal in the springsummer. Turbidity, NO3

-

, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially during 

the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH4

+

. TP was 

higher in the first 8 months and then declined to below the average. NH4

+

 was highly variable 

and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. 

Pine Island Sound

Salinity was relatively invariant during 2007 and did not show the usual decline during the 

wet season (Fig. 4.5.13). Temperature, NO3

-

, TON, and TP were unremarkable as compared to 

long term median. DO was elevated for the first 2 months then declined to usual levels. pH was 

generally lower than normal but peaked in May for no obvious reason. Turbidity was higher 

during the summer but quickly dropped to very low levels in Sept.-Dec. NH4

+

 was highly 

variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. TOC and CHLA were generally 

lower than usual, especially during the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded 

with peaks in TP and NH4

+

. 
83 

Cocohatchee River

Like the Caloosahatchee, the Cocohatchee River was under low flow conditions due to the 

drought. Salinity dipped only slightly during the wet season in contrast to the large declines 

usually observed (Fig. 4.5.14). We did not observe the usual 20-25 psu drop during the wet 

season nor the concomitant increase in NO3

-

, NH4

+

 and TOC. Most all water quality variables 

were lower than the long term median with the exception of pH and DO which were higher. 

Data, Graphs, and Figures

All data for the period of record are available at: 

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

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

http://serc.fiu.edu/wqmnetwork/SFWMD-CD/ContourMaps.htm
84 

Marco Island (MARC)

NO3

-

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

0.008

0.009

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.8. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
85 

Rookery Bay (RB)

NO3

-

0.000

0.005

0.010

0.015

0.020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.3

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.9. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
86 

Naples Bay (NPL)

NO3

-

0.000

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008

0.010

0.012

0.014

0.016

0.018

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.10. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
87 

San Carlos Bay (SCB)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.11. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
88 

Estero Bay (EST)

NO3

-

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

0.008

0.009

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.12. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
89 

Pine Island Sound (PIS)

NO3

-

0.000

0.001

0.002

0.003

0.004

0.005

0.006

0.007

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.13. Comparison of long-term median with 2006 data. 
90 

Cocohatchee River (COCO)

NO3

-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

NH4

+

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TP

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Temp.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

oC

Median

2007

CHLA

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppb

Median

2007

DO

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Salinity

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

Turbidity

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

NTU

Median

2007

pH

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8.0

8.1

8.2

8.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month Median

2007

TON

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

TOC

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

ppm

Median

2007

Figure 4.5.14. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data. 
91 

5. CHANGES/UPDATES TO PREVIOUS REPORTS

The quarterly reports for Oct.-Dec., 2006 (188-190); Jan.-Mar., 2007 (191-193); Apr.-Jun., 

2007 (194-196); Jul.-Sep., 2007 (197-199); and Oct.-Dec., 2007 (200-202) were revised to 

include the ADaPT electronic deliverables and expanded QA reports. 

6. REFERENCES

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

CACCIA, V. G. AND J. N. BOYER. 2005. Spatial patterning of water quality in Biscayne Bay, 

Florida as a function of land use and water management. Marine Pollution Bulletin 50: 1416-

1429. 

CACCIA, V. G. AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. A nutrient loading budget for Biscayne Bay, Florida. 

Marine Pollution Bulletin 54: 994–1008. 

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. Relationship between alkaline phosphatase activity 

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

RUDNICK, D., Z. CHEN, D. CHILDERS, T. FONTAINE, AND J. N. BOYER. 1999. Phosphorus and 

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

398-416. 

RUDNICK, D., C. MADDEN, S. KELLEY, R. BENNETT, AND K. CUNNIFF. 2006. Report on Algae 

Blooms in Eastern Florida Bay and Southern Biscayne Bay. SFWMD Tech. Report. 

SOBCZAK, R. 2008. South Florida Watershed Journal. http://sfwj.blogspot.com/ 

SOLORZANO, L., AND J. H. SHARP. 1980. Determination of total dissolved phosphorus and 

particulate phosphorus in natural waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 754-758. 
92 

7. PUBLICATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT

FOURQUREAN, J. W., R. D. JONES, AND J. C. ZIEMAN. 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. 

BOYER, J. N., J. W. FOURQUREAN, AND R. D. JONES. 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. 

BOYER, J. N., AND R. D. JONES. 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.) Phosphorus biogeochemistry in sub-tropical 

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

BOYER, J. N., J. W. FOURQUREAN, AND R. D. JONES. 1999. Seasonal and long-term trends in 

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

RUDNICK, D., Z. CHEN, D. CHILDERS, T. FONTAINE, AND J. N. BOYER. 1999. Phosphorus and 

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

398-416. 

PENNOCK, J. R., J. N. BOYER, J. A. HERERRA-SILVIERA, R. L. IVERSON, T. E. WHITLEDGE, B.

MORTAZAVI, AND F. A. COMIN. 1999. Nutrient behavior and pelagic processes, p. 109-162. In

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

Estuaries. Wiley, New York. 

BOYER, J. N., P. STERLING, AND R. D. JONES. 2000. Maximizing information from estuarine and 

coastal water quality monitoring networks by diverse visualization approaches. Estuarine, 

Coastal and Shelf Science 50: 39-48. 

BOYER, J. N. AND R. D. JONES. 2000. Trends in water quality of Florida Bay (1989-1999). State 

of Florida Bay. NPS - Everglades National Park Report. 

BOYER, J. N., AND R. D. JONES. 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. 
93 

HU, C., F. E. MULLER-KARGER, Z.-P. LEE, K. L. CARDER, B. ROBERTS, J. J. WALSH, R. H.

WEISBERG, R. HE, E. JOHNS, T. LEE, N. KURING, J. PATCH, J. IVEY, P. G. COBLE, C. HEIL, G.

A. VARGO, R. G. ZEPP, K. STEIDINGER, G. MCRAE, J. BOYER, R. JONES, G. KIRKPATRICK, E.

MUELLER, R. PIERCE, J. CULTER, B. KELLER, J. HUNT. 2002. The 2002 “black water” event 

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

FOURQUREAN, J. W., J. N. BOYER, AND M. J. DURAKO. 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. 

JAFFÉ, R, J. N. BOYER, X. LU, N. MAIE, C. YANG, N. SCULLY, AND S. MOCK. 2004. Source 

characterization of dissolved organic matter in a subtropical mangrove-dominated estuary by 

fluorescence analysis. Marine Chemistry 84: 195-210.

SCULLEY, N. M., N. MAIE, S. K. DAILEY, J. N. BOYER, AND R. JAFFÉ. 2004. Photochemical and 

microbial transformation of plant derived dissolved organic matter in the Florida Everglades. 

Limnology and Oceanography 49: 1667-1678. 

KELBLE, C. R., P. B. ORTNER, G. L. HITCHCOCK, AND J. N. BOYER. 2005. A re-examination of the 

light environment of Florida Bay. Estuaries 28: 560-571. 

CACCIA, V. G. AND J. N. BOYER. 2005. Spatial patterning of water quality in Biscayne Bay, 

Florida as a function of land use and water management. Marine Pollution Bulletin 50: 1416-

1429. 

CHILDERS, D. L., J. N. BOYER, S. E. DAVIS, C. J. MADDEN, D. T. RUDNICK, AND F. H. SKLAR. 

2006. Relating precipitation and water management to nutrient concentrations in the 

oligotrophic “upside-down” estuaries of the Florida Everglades. Limnology and 

Oceanography 51: 602-616. 

BOYER, J. N., S. K. DAILEY, P. J. GIBSON, M. T. ROGERS, D. MIR-GONZALEZ. 2006. The role of 

DOM bioavailability in promoting cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay: Competition 

between bacteria and phytoplankton. Hydrobiologia 269: 71-85. 

MAIE, N., J. N. BOYER, C. YANG, AND R. JAFFÉ. 2006. Spatial, geomorphological, and seasonal 

variability of CDOM in estuaries of the Florida Coastal Everglades. Hydrobiologia 269: 135-

150. 

BOYER, J. N. 2006. Shifting N and P limitation along a north-south gradient of mangrove 

estuaries in South Florida. Hydrobiologia 269: 167-177. 
94 

BOYER, J. N., AND B. KELLER. 2007. Nutrient Dynamics, p.55-76. In Hunt, J. H., and W. Nuttle 

(eds), Florida Bay Science Program: A Synthesis of Research on Florida Bay. Fish and 

Wildlife Research Institute Technical Report TR-11. 

CACCIA, V. G. AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. A nutrient loading budget for Biscayne Bay, Florida. 

Marine Pollution Bulletin 54: 994–1008. 

WILLIAMS, C. J., J. N. BOYER, AND F. J. JOCHEM. 2008. Indirect hurricane effects on resource 

availability and microbial communities in a subtropical wetland - estuary transition zone. 

Estuaries and Coasts 31: 204-214. 

COLLADO-VIDES, L., V. GONZALEZ-CACCIA, J. N. BOYER, AND J. W. FOURQUREAN. 2007. 

Tropical seagrass-associated macroalgae distributions and trends relative to water quality. 

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 73: 680-694. 

GIBSON, P., J. N. BOYER, AND N. P. SMITH. 2007. Nutrient mass flux between Florida Bay and the 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Estuaries and Coasts 31: 21-32. 

BOYER, J. N. 2007. What we know about water quality of the Florida Keys National Marine 

Sanctuary, pp.149-154. In Keller, B.D., and F.C. Wilmot, eds. 2008. Connectivity: science, 

people and policy in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Colloquium proceedings, 

19-21 August 2004, Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series NMSP-08-02, Department of 

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Sanctuary 

Program, Silver Spring, MD. 263 pp. 

BOYER, J. N., R. JAFFÉ, S. K. DAILEY, N. MAIE. (in review). Biological availability of organic 

nitrogen along Everglades/mangrove/estuary ecotone in South Florida, USA. Hydrobiologia. 

JOCHEM, F. J., M. T. ROGERS, AND J. N. BOYER. (in review). Bacterial abundance, growth rates, 

and grazing losses in Florida Bay as a function of nutrient status. Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 

STANAWAY, K., J. N. BOYER, J. W. LOUDA AND P. MONGKRONS. (in review). Effects of 

flocculent microbial mats and seagrass roots and rhizomes on sediment nutrient fluxes in a 

shallow estuary. Estuaries and Coasts.

BOYER, J. N., C. R. KELBLE, P. B. ORTNER, AND D. T. RUDNICK. (in review). Phytoplankton 

Bloom Status: An Indicator of Water Quality Condition in the Southern Estuaries of Florida, 

USA. Ecological Indicators. 
95 

BRICEÑO, H. O., J. N. BOYER, AND A. F. CALLEJON. (in review). Cumulative rate of variation 

(CRV): a graphical tool for exploration of time-series data. Estuaries and Coasts. 
96 

8. PRESENTATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT

BOYER, J. N., J. W. FOURQUREAN, AND R. D. JONES. 1995. Spatial analysis of long term water 

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

BOYER, J. N. AND R. D. JONES. 1996. The Florida Bay water quality monitoring program: 

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

BOYER, J. N., J. W. FOURQUREAN, AND R. D. JONES. 1997. Temporal trends in water chemistry of 

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

Meeting, Santa Fe, NM. 

JONES, R. D., AND J. N. BOYER. 1998. An overview of water quality in Florida Bay and 

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

FL. 

BOYER, J. N., AND R. D. JONES. 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. 

FOURQUREAN, J. W., M. J. DURAKO, J. C. ZIEMAN, AND J. N. BOYER. 1998. Seagrass beds respond 

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

ASLO/ESA, St. Louis, MO. 

BOYER, J. N., AND R. D. JONES. 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. 

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. 

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. 

CHILDERS, D. L., J. BOYER, J. FOURQUREAN, R. JAFFE, ET AL. 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. 

LU, X., J. N. BOYER, AND R. JAFFE. 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida 

estuaries by UV-Visible and fluorescence analysis. South Florida ACS Meeting, Orlando. 
97 

FOURQUREAN, J., AND J. N. BOYER. 2000. Seagrass species react independently to water quality 

in South Florida. ASLO, Orlando.

BOYER, J. N., D. CHILDERS, R. JAFFE, R. JONES, AND L. J. SCINTO. 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. 

LU, X., J. N. BOYER, AND R. JAFFE. 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida 

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

BOYER, J. N., AND R. D. JONES. 2001. Trends in water quality of Florida Bay. 2001 Florida Bay 

Science Conference, Key Largo, FL. 

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. 

BOYER, J. N., AND S. K. DAILEY. 2002. Microbial dynamics in Florida Bay and the Florida 

Coastal Everglades LTER. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society - Oct. 2002. 

DAILEY, S. K., AND J. N. BOYER. 2002. Evidence of mid-river productivity maxima in the Shark 

River, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society - Oct. 

2002. 

AZUA, A., J. N. BOYER, AND P. R. GARDINALI. 2002. Trace Determination of Caffeine in Coastal 

Waters from the Florida Keys. SETAC - Nov. 2002. 

BOYER, J. N. AND S. K. DAILEY. 2003. Microbial Dynamics in Florida Bay: A New Paradigm for 

the Microbial Loop in Oligotrophic Marine Waters. Joint Conference on the Science and 

Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003.

DAILEY, S. K. AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Uncoupling autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial 

response to increased DOM in Florida Bay. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration 

of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

FOURQUREAN, J. W., J. N. BOYER, B. J. PETERSON, M. J. DURAKO, L. N. HEFTY. 2003. The 

response of seagrass distribution to changing water quality: predictive models from 

monitoring data. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades 

and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

GIBSON, P. J., S. K. DAILEY, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Bloom in a Bottle: Experimental Derivation 

of the Mechanism for the Onset and Persistence of Phytoplankton Blooms in Florida Bay. 
98 

Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay 

Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

KELBLE, C. R., G. L. HITCHCOCK, P. B. ORTNER, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. A recent study of the 

light environment in Florida Bay. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the 

Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

KUHNLEIN, E., S. K. DAILEY, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Florida Bay Phytoplankton Community 

Structure and Algal Energetics using PAM Fluorometry. Joint Conference on the Science 

and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

MIR-GONZALEZ, D., J. MEEDER, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Macrophyte Benthic Communities and 

Groundwater Nutrient Dynamics in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Joint Conference on the Science 

and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

ROGERS, M., S. K. DAILEY, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Bacterial Enumeration in Florida Bay Using 

Epifluorescent Microscopy and Flow Cytometry. Joint Conference on the Science and 

Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

SCULLY, N. M., N. MAIE, S. K. DAILEY, J. N. BOYER, R. D. JONES, AND R. JAFFÉ. 2003. 

Photochemical and Microbial Transformation of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Florida 

Everglades. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and 

Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. 

GIBSON, P. J., S. K. DAILEY, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Does DOM have a role in promoting 

cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay, USA? Estuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 

2003. 

MIR-GONZALEZ, D., J. N. BOYER, AND J. MEEDER. The Effect of Groundwater Nutrient Inputs on 

Benthic Macrophyte Community Structure in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Estuarine Research 

Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. 

ROGERS, M. T., J. N. BOYER, AND S. K. DAILEY. 2003. Bacterial biomass and production in 

Florida Bay, USA. Estuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. 

BENNETT, R. J., P. H. DOERING, D. T. RUDNICK, AND J. N. BOYER. 2003. Nutrient – 

phytoplankton relationships: a comparison of South Florida’s estuaries. Estuarine Research 

Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. 
99 

BOYER, J. N. 2004. The value of a regional water quality monitoring network in restoration 

planning in South Florida. EMAP Symposium, May 6, 2004 – Newport, RI. 

BOYER, J. N., R. JAFFE, S. K. DAILEY, N. MAIE. 2004. Biological availability of dissolved organic 

nitrogen entering Florida Bay from the Everglades and fringing mangroves. ASLO Meeting, 

Savannah, GA - June 17, 2004. 

BOYER, J. N. 2004. Long term water quality monitoring in South Florida. Coral Reef Joint Task 

Force Special Session, Miami Beach, FL. – Sept. 2004. 

BOYER, J. N. 2004. Water Quality Issues in the FKNMS. Keys Connectivity Meeting, Key West, 

FL - Aug. 2004. 

BOYER, J. N. 2005. South Florida Estuarine Water Quality Monitoring Network Presentation, Big 

Cypress Basin Board Meeting, Naples – Feb. 18, 2005. 

BOYER, J. N. 2005. Effect of landuse and water management on water quality of Biscayne Bay, 

USA, ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting – Feb. 20-25, 2005 (V. Caccia-Gonzalez, presenter). 

BOYER, J. N., S. K. DAILEY, P. J. GIBSON, M. T. ROGERS, D. MIR-GONZALEZ. 2006. 

Bioavailability of dissolved organic nitrogen in Florida Bay. Florida Bay and Adjacent 

Marine Systems Science Conference – Duck Key, FL, 2006. 

BOYER, J. N., AND H. O. BRICEÑO. 2006. What is driving long-term declines in organic matter 

export from the Everglades mangrove forests? ASLO, Victoria, BC – June 4-9, 2006. 

BRICEÑO, H. O., AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. Long-term Declines in TOC, TON and TP Export from 

the Everglades Mangrove Forests. CESU meeting, Miami, FL. Feb. 23, 2007. 

BOYER, J. N., AND H. O. BRICEÑO. 2007. Compound Interest: The value of long-term coastal 

water quality monitoring in South Florida. Annual Science Meeting of the South Florida 

Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Miami, FL – Feb. 23, 2007 

BOYER, J. N. AND H. O. BRICEÑO. 2007. Status of water quality in the SW region. Big Cypress 

Basin Board, Naples, FL – Feb. 28, 2007. 

BOYER, J. N. , M. IKENAGA, A. DEAN, C. PISANI, AND K. M. SABO. 2007. Relationship between 

water management and cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay, USA. Association of Marine 

Laboratories of the Caribbean. USVI – June 6, 2007. 

BRICEÑO, H. O. AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. Nutrient dynamics along a salinity gradient in the 

mangrove forest, Florida Coastal Everglades. Association of Marine Laboratories of the 

Caribbean. 
100 

BRICEÑO, H. O. AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. Spatial and Temporal Trends of Water Quality in the 

South Florida Coastal Region. Chapman Conference on Long Time-Series Observations in 

Coastal Ecosystems: Comparative Analyses of Phytoplankton Dynamics on Regional to 

Global Scales. Rovinj, Croatia. Oct. 8-12, 2007. 

BOYER, J. N. 2007. Update on the Florida Bay Bloom. FKNMS Sanctuary Advisory Committee. 

Marathon, FL – Aug. 21, 2007. 

BOYER, J. N. AND H. O. BRICEÑO. 2007. A Tale of Two Estuaries: Hydrology and Nutrient 

Loading in Biscayne and Florida Bays, USA. Estuarine Research Conference. 

BRICEÑO, H. O. AND J. N. BOYER. 2007. Long-term nutrient dynamics in Florida Bay waters, 

USA. Estuarine Research Conference. 

KELBLE, C. R., J. N. BOYER, D. RUDNICK, AND P. B. ORTNER. 2008. Water quality monitoring in 

the southern estuaries. GEERS – Orlando, FL. 
101 

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 variables by zone. 
102 

Table 9.1. List of fixed station location and sampling period of record. Stations in red were 

eliminated from the current contract effective Oct 1, 2007. 

Station Name Site Area Latitude Longitude Record Surveys 

Card Sound Bridge 1 FB 25 16.413 -80 22.475 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Middle Key 2 FB 25 17.102 -80 23.702 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Manatee Bay 3 FB 25 15.062 -80 24.910 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Barnes Sound 4 FB 25 13.304 -80 23.299 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Blackwater Sound 5 FB 25 10.443 -80 25.385 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Little Blackwater Sound 6 FB 25 12.401 -80 26.424 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Highway Creek 7 FB 25 15.216 -80 26.649 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Long Sound 8 FB 25 13.642 -80 27.700 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Duck Key 9 FB 25 10.624 -80 29.494 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Joe Bay 10 FB 25 13.468 -80 32.195 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Little Madeira Bay 11 FB 25 10.510 -80 37.615 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Terrapin Bay 12 FB 25 08.422 -80 42.967 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Whipray Basin 13 FB 25 05.485 -80 45.287 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Garfield Bight 14 FB 25 09.029 -80 48.553 Apr 91 - Dec 07 2-202 

Rankin Lake 15 FB 25 07.283 -80 48.173 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Murray Key 16 FB 25 07.096 -80 56.379 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Johnson Key Basin 17 FB 25 02.548 -80 54.889 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Rabbit Key Basin 18 FB 25 00.145 -80 54.006 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Twin Key Basin 19 FB 24 58.660 -80 45.211 Apr 91 - Dec 07 2-202 

Peterson Keys 20 FB 24 55.770 -80 45.028 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Porpoise Lake 21 FB 25 00.396 -80 40.876 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

Captain Key 22 FB 25 02.405 -80 36.843 Apr 91 - Dec 07 2-202 

Park Key 23 FB 25 07.078 -80 35.983 Apr 91 - Dec 07 2-202 

Butternut Key 24 FB 25 06.105 -80 31.884 Mar 91 - Dec 07 1-202 

East Cape 25 FB 25 05.022 -81 04.835 July 92 - Dec 07 17-202 

Oxfoot Bank 26 FB 24 58.844 -81 00.098 July 92 - Dec 07 17-202 

Sprigger Bank 27 FB 24 55.116 -80 56.092 July 92 - Dec 07 17-202 

Old Dan Bank 28 FB 24 52.032 -80 48.429 July 92 - Dec 07 17-202 

First Bay 29 WWB 25 33.272 -81 11.020 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Third Bay 30 WWB 25 34.810 -81 07.256 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Big Lostmans Bay 31 WWB 25 34.055 -81 04.288 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-199 

Cabbage Island 32 WWB 25 31.764 -81 02.603 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Broad River Bay 33 WWB 25 29.984 -81 02.939 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Middle Broad River 34 WWB 25 29.163 -81 06.669 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Broad River Mouth 35 WWB 25 28.501 -81 09.176 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Harney River Mouth 36 WWB 25 24.701 -81 08.487 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Harney Rivers Junction 37 WWB 25 25.901 -81 04.943 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Tarpon Bay 38 WWB 25 25.037 -80 59.906 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Gunboat Island 39 WWB 25 22.735 -81 01.844 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Ponce de Leon Bay 40 WWB 25 20.983 -81 07.474 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Oyster Bay 41 WWB 25 19.869 -81 04.360 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

North Marker 36 42 WWB 25 19.560 -81 00.873 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

West Marker 34 43 WWB 25 17.168 -81 01.419 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Watson River Chickee 44 WWB 25 19.912 -80 59.022 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

North River Mouth 45 WWB 25 18.054 -80 57.620 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-199 
103 

Station Name Site Area Latitude Longitude Record Surveys 

Midway Keys 46 WWB 25 17.102 -80 58.548 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-199 

Roberts River Mouth 47 WWB 25 16.779 -80 55.846 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

West Marker 18 48 WWB 25 14.448 -80 57.476 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Southeast Marker 12 49 WWB 25 13.704 -80 55.980 Sept 92 - Dec 07 19-202 

Coot Bay 50 WWB 25 11.452 -80 54.848 Sept 92 - Sept 07 19-199 

Chokoloskee 51 TTI 25 48.450 -81 20.970 Sept 94 - Sept 07 43-199 

Rabbit Key Pass 52 TTI 25 46.200 -81 23.000 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Lopez Bay 53 TTI 25 47.050 -81 19.930 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Lopez River 54 TTI 25 47.130 -81 18.550 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Sunday Bay 55 TTI 25 47.760 -81 16.800 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Huston Bay 56 TTI 25 45.180 -81 15.330 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Upper Chatham River 57 TTI 25 43.050 -81 13.830 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Watson Place 58 TTI 25 42.470 -81 15.130 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Gun Rock Point 59 TTI 25 41.500 -81 17.920 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Huston River 60 TTI 25 43.880 -81 17.080 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-199 

Chevalier Bay 61 TTI 25 42.750 -81 12.420 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Alligator Bay 62 TTI 25 40.210 -81 10.120 Sept 94 - Sept 07 43-199 

Lostmans Five Bay 63 TTI 25 38.000 -81 08.700 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Barron River 64 TTI 25 51.196 -81 23.602 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Indian Key Pass 65 TTI 25 49.631 -81 26.465 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Indian Key 66 TTI 25 48.290 -81 27.750 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

West Pass 67 TTI 25 49.820 -81 30.170 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Panther Key 68 TTI 25 50.960 -81 32.530 Sept 94 - Sept 07 43-199 

Faka Union Pass 69 TTI 25 52.450 -81 30.960 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Faka Union Bay 70 TTI 25 54.000 -81 30.960 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

White Horse Key 71 TTI 25 52.007 -81 34.489 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Dismal Key 72 TTI 25 53.668 -81 33.532 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Long Rock 73 TTI 25 52.920 -81 36.380 Sept 94 - Sept 07 43-199 

Shell Key 74 TTI 25 54.670 -81 36.920 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Blackwater River 75 TTI 25 55.788 -81 36.019 Sept 94 - Dec 07 43-202 

Convoy Point 101 BB 25 28.700 -80 19.250 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Black Point 102 BB 25 32.750 -80 17.680 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Near Black Ledge 103 BB 25 34.400 -80 17.200 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-199 

BNP Marker C 104 BB 25 36.100 -80 13.250 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-202 

Biscayne Channel 105 BB 25 39.252 -80 11.202 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-63 

White Marker 106 BB 25 38.052 -80 07.800 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-63 

Fowey Rocks 107 BB 25 35.400 -80 06.000 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-63 

Marker G-1B 108 BB 25 34.150 -80 11.550 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

North Midbay 109 BB 25 33.850 -80 14.100 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-199 

Fender Point 110 BB 25 30.300 -80 17.250 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Featherbed Bank 111 BB 25 30.950 -80 14.400 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Sands Cut 112 BB 25 29.300 -80 11.300 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Elliott Key 113 BB 25 26.500 -80 13.400 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-199 

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 - Sept 07 31-199 

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 
104 

Station Name Site Area Latitude Longitude Record Surveys 

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 07 31-202 

West Arsenicker 122 BB 25 25.210 -80 18.650 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

Pelican Bank 123 BB 25 26.700 -80 17.000 Sept 93 - Dec 07 31-202 

South Midbay 124 BB 25 28.350 -80 14.000 Sept 93 - Sept 07 31-199 

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 - Sept 07 64-199 

Shoal Point 127 BB 25 37.800 -80 15.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

Matheson Beach 128 BB 25 41.300 -80 14.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

Marker G-71 129 BB 25 44.200 -80 11.100 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

South Dodge Island 130 BB 25 45.800 -80 10.300 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

North Venetian Basin 131 BB 25 48.000 -80 10.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

North I-195 Basin 132 BB 25 49.000 -80 10.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-199 

North Normandy Isle 133 BB 25 52.000 -80 09.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

Oleta River Park 134 BB 25 54.300 -80 08.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

South Card Sound 135 BB 25 19.000 -80 19.000 June 96 - Dec 07 64-202 

Off Lower Harbor Keys 351 SHELF 24 41.500 -81 47.500 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 352 SHELF 24 46.550 -81 46.980 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 353 SHELF 24 51.500 -81 46.600 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 354 SHELF 24 56.480 -81 46.120 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 355 SHELF 25 01.480 -81 45.750 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 356 SHELF 25 06.460 -81 45.230 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 357 SHELF 25 11.470 -81 44.720 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 358 SHELF 25 16.480 -81 44.290 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 359 SHELF 25 21.500 -81 43.800 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 360 SHELF 25 26.470 -81 43.260 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 361 SHELF 25 31.480 -81 42.900 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 362 SHELF 25 36.520 -81 42.400 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Off Cape Romano 363 SHELF 25 41.520 -81 41.900 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 364 SHELF 25 41.500 -81 32.000 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 365 SHELF 25 36.510 -81 32.360 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 366 SHELF 25 31.560 -81 32.930 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 367 SHELF 25 26.550 -81 33.300 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 368 SHELF 25 21.510 -81 33.800 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 369 SHELF 25 16.530 -81 34.320 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 370 SHELF 25 11.510 -81 34.750 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 371 SHELF 25 06.500 -81 35.210 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 372 SHELF 25 01.500 -81 35.720 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 373 SHELF 24 56.530 -81 36.180 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 374 SHELF 24 51.530 -81 36.650 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Off Johnson Key 375 SHELF 24 46.540 -81 37.070 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Harbor Key Bank 376 SHELF 24 50.600 -81 26.300 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 377 SHELF 24 56.100 -81 25.900 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 378 SHELF 25 01.000 -81 24.950 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 379 SHELF 25 06.000 -81 24.530 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 380 SHELF 25 11.000 -81 24.000 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 381 SHELF 25 16.000 -81 23.700 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 382 SHELF 25 21.000 -81 23.200 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 383 SHELF 25 25.950 -81 22.670 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 
105 

Station Name Site Area Latitude Longitude Record Surveys 

 384 SHELF 25 30.930 -81 22.200 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 385 SHELF 25 36.010 -81 21.790 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 386 SHELF 25 33.330 -81 20.430 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 387 SHELF 25 30.530 -81 19.010 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 388 SHELF 25 25.500 -81 17.820 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 389 SHELF 25 20.500 -81 16.620 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 390 SHELF 25 15.600 -81 15.610 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 391 SHELF 25 10.500 -81 14.320 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 392 SHELF 25 05.500 -81 14.900 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 393 SHELF 25 00.500 -81 15.200 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 394 SHELF 24 55.500 -81 15.600 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Off Bluefish Bank 395 SHELF 24 52.700 -81 11.500 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Off Bullard Bank 396 SHELF 24 50.000 -81 07.700 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 397 SHELF 24 55.000 -81 07.100 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

 398 SHELF 25 00.000 -81 06.600 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Off East Cape 399 SHELF 25 05.000 -81 05.960 May 95 - Sept 07 1-49 

Coon Key Pass, G3 451 ROOK 25 54.626 -81 38.309 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Coon Key Light 452 ROOK 25 52.918 -81 37.954 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Fred Key, G5 453 ROOK 25 53.978 -81 41.027 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Caxambas Pass, R4 454 ROOK 25 54.360 -81 43.733 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Capri Pass, R2A 455 ROOK 25 59.285 -81 43.740 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Rt. 951 Bridge, R26 456 ROOK 25 57.737 -81 42.524 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Big Marco River, R24 457 ROOK 25 57.122 -81 41.243 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Goodland Bridge, G15 458 ROOK 25 56.080 -81 39.204 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Johnson Bay 459 ROOK 25 59.291 -81 43.748 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Hall Bay 460 ROOK 26 00.941 -81 44.566 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Rookery Bay 461 ROOK 26 01.755 -81 44.888 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

First National 462 ROOK 26 02.441 -81 45.955 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Kewaydin Channel, G55 463 ROOK 26 03.611 -81 46.713 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Dollar Bay, G73 464 ROOK 26 06.000 -81 47.213 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Outer Gordon Pass, G1 465 ROOK 26 05.480 -81 48.686 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

New Pass 466 ROOK 26 22.692 -81 51.508 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Wiggins Pass Bridge 467 ROOK 26 17.441 -81 49.105 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Big Carlos Pass Bridge 468 ROOK 26 24.146 -81 52.850 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Coon Key, R2A 469 ROOK 26 25.422 -81 52.400 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Central Estero Bay, R2 470 ROOK 26 24.459 -81 51.885 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Point Ybel, R8 471 ROOK 26 27.492 -82 00.444 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

San Carlos Bay, R4 472 ROOK 26 28.013 -82 02.723 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Kitchel Key, G13 473 ROOK 26 30.070 -82 00.789 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Shell Point 474 ROOK 26 31.368 -82 00.417 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Reckems Point 475 ROOK 26 32.108 -82 03.548 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Sanibel 476 ROOK 26 30.472 -82 09.113 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Pine Island Sound 477 ROOK 26 33.702 -82 09.934 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Cayo Costa 478 ROOK 26 38.150 -82 12.517 Jan 99 - Dec 07 97-202 

Fakahatchee Bay 479 ROOK 26 01.542 -81 43.992 Jan 99 - Dec 07 131-202 
106 

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

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Alkaline Phosphatase FBC 1.14 0.01 6.90 755 

Activity (μM hr-1) FBE 0.35 0.01 6.11 3369 

 FBW 0.16 0.01 4.93 1095 

Chlorophyll a FBC 1.55 0.11 35.61 782 

(μg l-1) FBE 0.51 0.00 11.35 3495 

 FBW 1.34 0.10 22.08 1146 

Surface FBC 6.4 2.4 12.3 785 

Dissolved Oxygen FBE 6.6 0.4 15.2 3499 

(mg l-1) FBW 6.3 3.0 11.5 1159 

Bottom FBC 6.3 0.4 12.2 754 

Dissolved Oxygen FBE 6.6 1.4 15.0 3384 

(mg l-1) FBW 6.3 3.0 11.1 1086 

Ammonium FBC 0.035 0.000 1.681 774 

(ppm) FBE 0.036 0.000 1.149 3487 

 FBW 0.008 0.000 0.342 1140 

Nitrite FBC 0.002 0.000 0.111 779 

(ppm) FBE 0.002 0.000 0.041 3489 

 FBW 0.001 0.000 0.025 1140 

Nitrate FBC 0.003 0.000 0.080 777 

(ppm) FBE 0.008 0.000 0.154 3479 

 FBW 0.002 0.000 0.101 1135 

pH FBC 8.255 7.394 8.850 224 

 FBE 8.135 7.535 9.115 1008 

 FBW 8.168 7.780 8.775 336 

Surface Salinity FBC 34.00 8.70 63.00 794 

 FBE 29.30 0.10 54.30 3535 

 FBW 35.10 16.50 52.00 1173 

Bottom Salinity FBC 33.60 11.90 63.00 750 

 FBE 29.20 0.10 54.30 3347 

 FBW 34.98 16.60 51.00 1086 

Silicate FBC 0.835 0.000 5.731 180 

(ppm) FBE 0.275 0.000 4.604 810 

 FBW 0.476 0.000 5.089 270 

Soluble Reactive FBC 0.001 0.000 0.026 777 

Phosphorus (ppm) FBE 0.001 0.000 0.020 3469 

 FBW 0.001 0.000 0.058 1133 

Surface Temperature FBC 26.6 13.0 36.7 790 

(

o

C) FBE 26.6 14.2 34.5 3516 

 FBW 26.5 14.1 36.0 1167 

Bottom Temperature FBC 26.5 13.2 35.3 758 

(

o

C) FBE 26.5 14.2 34.6 3394 

 FBW 26.3 13.9 34.7 1092 

Total Nitrogen FBC 0.906 0.117 4.408 779 

(ppm) FBE 0.568 0.060 3.142 3488 

 FBW 0.341 0.067 1.691 1141 
107 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Total Organic FBC 12.176 3.585 42.872 774 

Carbon (ppm) FBE 8.188 0.000 58.043 3477 

 FBW 4.653 1.199 27.370 1134 

Total Organic FBC 0.756 0.106 4.355 772 

Nitrogen (ppm) FBE 0.501 0.000 3.098 3475 

 FBW 0.322 0.046 1.680 1134 

Total Phosphorus FBC 0.016 0.002 0.131 778 

(ppm) FBE 0.007 0.001 0.099 3489 

 FBW 0.014 0.000 0.232 1142 

Turbidity FBC 5.45 0.12 134.85 763 

(NTU) FBE 2.20 0.00 172.95 3417 

 FBW 4.66 0.07 178.55 1097 
108 

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

by zone. 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Alkaline BLK 0.04 0.02 0.28 285 

Phosphatase GI 0.05 3.23 1764 

Activity (μM hr-1) IWW 0.10 0.00 8.31 1570 

 MR 0.22 0.00 3.70 2111 

 WWB 1.26 0.00 5.96 1334 

Chlorophyll a BLK 3.23 0.25 17.02 294 

(μg l-1) GI 2.85 0.12 23.78 1810 

 IWW 3.55 0.19 45.11 1614 

 MR 2.76 0.15 28.76 2163 

 WWB 2.92 0.11 29.78 1359 

Surface BLK 5.3 0.3 10.3 294 

Dissolved Oxygen GI 5.8 1.4 12.1 1808 

(mg l-1) IWW 6.0 1.8 11.8 1614 

 MR 5.2 0.4 13.9 2152 

 WWB 6.9 2.2 24.4 1352 

Bottom BLK 5.1 0.1 9.8 294 

Dissolved Oxygen GI 5.7 0.2 11.8 1808 

(mg l-1) IWW 5.9 1.1 11.9 1614 

 MR 5.1 0.4 12.3 2151 

 WWB 6.9 0.4 24.4 1352 

Ammonium BLK 0.021 0.001 0.195 294 

(ppm) GI 0.011 0.000 0.183 1810 

 IWW 0.017 0.000 0.314 1614 

 MR 0.018 0.000 0.402 2163 

 WWB 0.014 0.000 0.408 1360 

Nitrite BLK 0.003 0.000 0.017 294 

(ppm) GI 0.002 0.000 0.033 1810 

 IWW 0.002 0.000 0.036 1614 

 MR 0.002 0.000 0.024 2163 

 WWB 0.002 0.000 0.086 1360 

Nitrate BLK 0.009 0.000 0.080 294 

(ppm) GI 0.008 0.000 0.135 1810 

 IWW 0.010 0.000 0.133 1614 

 MR 0.015 0.000 0.142 2163 

 WWB 0.006 0.000 0.268 1360 

pH BLK 7.793 7.170 8.530 112 

 GI 7.880 6.920 8.765 670 

 IWW 7.820 7.240 8.825 616 

 MR 7.705 6.970 8.595 717 

 WWB 8.180 7.510 8.810 440 

Surface Salinity BLK 32.0 1.4 39.9 294 

 GI 28.9 1.3 40.7 1810 

 IWW 15.7 0.1 42.8 1614 

 MR 6.2 0.0 40.5 2160 

 WWB 11.5 0.3 35.4 1360 
109 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Bottom Salinity BLK 32.4 1.4 39.9 294 

 GI 29.5 1.0 40.7 1808 

 IWW 17.6 0.2 53.6 1614 

 MR 7.3 0.0 40.5 2148 

 WWB 11.8 0.3 34.9 1352 

Silicate BLK 1.733 0.000 4.493 84 

(ppm) GI 1.491 0.000 4.705 505 

 IWW 1.744 0.000 4.688 461 

 MR 2.081 0.000 6.400 568 

 WWB 1.422 0.002 4.880 352 

Soluble Reactive BLK 0.017 0.002 0.066 294 

Phosphorus (ppm) GI 0.006 0.000 0.044 1805 

 IWW 0.003 0.000 0.033 1614 

 MR 0.002 0.000 0.034 2160 

 WWB 0.002 0.000 0.026 1357 

Surface 

Temperature BLK 27.0 15.9 38.4 294 

(

o

C) GI 26.7 13.7 37.2 1808 

 IWW 27.0 15.1 37.5 1614 

 MR 26.7 13.6 34.4 2152 

 WWB 26.7 12.3 34.4 1352 

Bottom Temperature BLK 26.9 15.9 35.9 294 

(

o

C) GI 26.6 14.1 37.2 1808 

 IWW 27.0 15.2 33.3 1614 

 MR 26.5 13.6 33.3 2151 

 WWB 26.6 11.8 33.5 1352 

Total Nitrogen BLK 0.395 0.066 1.380 293 

(ppm) GI 0.384 0.059 1.955 1808 

 IWW 0.519 0.048 2.031 1614 

 MR 0.596 0.038 3.046 2163 

 WWB 0.714 0.057 2.588 1360 

Total Organic BLK 6.316 2.897 21.385 293 

Carbon (ppm) GI 6.465 1.482 27.170 1801 

 IWW 10.929 2.112 23.348 1608 

 MR 12.743 0.458 64.008 2162 

 WWB 14.586 0.300 39.373 1358 

Total Organic BLK 0.344 0.044 1.313 293 

Nitrogen (ppm) GI 0.353 0.055 1.896 1808 

 IWW 0.476 0.021 2.011 1614 

 MR 0.555 0.021 2.989 2163 

 WWB 0.675 0.000 2.535 1360 

Total Phosphorus BLK 0.053 0.014 0.237 287 

(ppm) GI 0.033 0.001 0.204 1802 

 IWW 0.029 0.002 0.207 1612 

 MR 0.021 0.001 0.125 2161 

 WWB 0.018 0.003 0.094 1360 

 

 
110 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Turbidity BLK 7.30 0.49 40.50 293 

(NTU) GI 5.05 0.09 68.00 1809 

 IWW 4.41 0.06 66.60 1614 

 MR 2.80 0.09 58.65 2163 

 WWB 3.48 0.21 107.81 1360 
111 

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

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Alkaline AS 0.327 0.091 3.209 312 

Phosphatase IS 0.193 0.013 3.378 713 

Activity (μM hr-1) MAIN 0.111 0.008 2.720 1781 

 NBAY 0.117 0.008 1.475 613 

 SCARD 0.142 0.022 2.949 345 

Chlorophyll a AS 0.30 0.03 2.46 314 

(μg l-1) IS 0.28 0.02 6.37 719 

 MAIN 0.24 0.00 5.89 1792 

 NBAY 1.06 0.12 9.18 620 

 SCARD 0.32 0.06 7.21 347 

Surface AS 6.9 3.1 11.6 316 

Dissolved Oxygen IS 6.6 3.5 11.5 728 

(mg l-1) MAIN 6.3 2.8 10.2 1813 

 NBAY 6.2 3.0 10.2 630 

 SCARD 6.4 4.0 9.1 351 

Bottom AS 7.1 3.0 12.9 316 

Dissolved Oxygen IS 6.7 2.6 11.8 728 

(mg l-1) MAIN 6.4 2.8 10.6 1813 

 NBAY 6.2 3.2 10.4 630 

 SCARD 6.5 3.3 9.5 351 

Ammonium AS 0.018 0.001 0.228 318 

(ppm) IS 0.013 0.000 0.148 729 

 MAIN 0.009 0.000 0.120 1815 

 NBAY 0.014 0.000 0.220 630 

 SCARD 0.011 0.000 0.121 351 

Nitrite AS 0.004 0.000 0.048 318 

(ppm) IS 0.002 0.000 0.043 729 

 MAIN 0.001 0.000 0.019 1815 

 NBAY 0.002 0.000 0.068 630 

 SCARD 0.002 0.000 0.019 351 

Nitrate AS 0.046 0.000 1.173 318 

(ppm) IS 0.012 0.000 0.732 728 

 MAIN 0.004 0.000 0.633 1815 

 NBAY 0.016 0.000 0.174 630 

 SCARD 0.006 0.000 0.129 351 

pH AS 8.157 7.180 8.800 112 

 IS 8.120 7.280 8.820 280 

 MAIN 8.115 7.095 8.900 614 

 NBAY 8.050 7.225 8.815 280 

 SCARD 8.090 7.125 8.825 112 

Surface Salinity AS 27.1 6.2 44.1 318 

 IS 31.4 11.5 43.8 729 

 MAIN 35.3 21.2 41.4 1814 

 NBAY 32.1 16.2 38.9 630 

 SCARD 33.1 21.0 40.8 351 

 
112 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Bottom Salinity AS 28.0 7.2 44.1 318 

 IS 32.0 11.5 43.9 729 

 MAIN 35.5 24.2 41.5 1813 

 NBAY 33.4 24.7 39.0 630 

 SCARD 33.5 20.9 40.9 351 

Silicate AS 0.181 0.000 1.972 84 

(ppm) IS 0.074 0.000 1.268 210 

 MAIN 0.025 0.000 0.720 462 

 NBAY 0.194 0.001 1.287 210 

 SCARD 0.031 0.000 1.552 84 

Soluble Reactive AS 0.001 0.000 0.010 317 

Phosphorus (ppm) IS 0.001 0.000 0.009 725 

 MAIN 0.001 0.000 0.009 1808 

 NBAY 0.001 0.000 0.021 626 

 SCARD 0.001 0.000 0.008 349 

Surface Temperature AS 26.7 10.2 33.0 318 

(

o

C) IS 26.3 14.2 33.3 729 

 MAIN 26.3 13.5 32.8 1814 

 NBAY 26.0 14.3 32.5 630 

 SCARD 26.3 15.9 33.0 351 

Bottom Temperature AS 26.7 10.3 33.2 318 

(

o

C) IS 26.3 14.2 33.4 729 

 MAIN 26.3 13.5 32.7 1814 

 NBAY 25.8 14.5 32.9 630 

 SCARD 26.6 15.8 33.8 351 

Total Nitrogen AS 0.445 0.101 1.560 318 

(ppm) IS 0.313 0.031 1.026 726 

 MAIN 0.215 0.000 1.313 1815 

 NBAY 0.248 0.047 1.011 626 

 SCARD 0.301 0.055 1.325 350 

Total Organic AS 4.477 1.379 9.330 318 

Carbon (ppm) IS 3.590 1.463 9.415 728 

 MAIN 2.542 0.326 11.982 1815 

 NBAY 3.261 1.128 10.690 629 

 SCARD 3.801 1.684 11.050 350 

Total Organic AS 0.325 0.000 1.010 318 

Nitrogen (ppm) IS 0.261 0.014 0.877 726 

 MAIN 0.192 0.000 1.288 1815 

 NBAY 0.201 0.032 0.983 626 

 SCARD 0.273 0.030 1.229 350 

Total Phosphorus AS 0.006 0.000 0.052 318 

(ppm) IS 0.005 0.001 0.059 727 

 MAIN 0.005 0.000 0.049 1815 

 NBAY 0.009 0.002 0.058 629 

 SCARD 0.006 0.002 0.030 351 

Turbidity AS 0.50 0.05 11.53 318 

(NTU) IS 0.47 0.00 5.09 728 

 MAIN 0.75 0.00 19.00 1813 

 NBAY 1.18 0.01 22.35 630 

 SCARD 0.55 0.00 5.17 351 
113 

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

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Alkaline SHARK 0.055 0.016 2.485 85 

Phosphatase SHELF 0.043 0.004 12.017 1677 

Activity (μM hr-1) SHOAL 0.047 0.006 7.627 296 

Chlorophyll a SHARK 1.608 0.254 8.910 92 

(μg l-1) SHELF 0.913 0.000 13.791 1825 

 SHOAL 0.922 0.120 8.448 320 

Surface SHARK 6.1 2.4 8.6 91 

Dissolved Oxygen SHELF 6.0 1.0 12.6 1803 

(mg l-1) SHOAL 6.0 0.9 12.8 318 

Bottom SHARK 5.4 2.8 8.6 62 

Dissolved Oxygen SHELF 5.8 1.7 29.9 1235 

(mg l-1) SHOAL 5.8 2.6 9.7 219 

Ammonium SHARK 0.006 0.001 0.049 92 

(ppm) SHELF 0.004 0.000 0.129 1825 

 SHOAL 0.004 0.000 0.064 320 

Nitrite SHARK 0.001 0.000 0.006 92 

(ppm) SHELF 0.000 0.000 0.008 1825 

 SHOAL 0.000 0.000 0.005 320 

Nitrate SHARK 0.002 0.000 0.072 92 

(ppm) SHELF 0.001 0.000 0.078 1825 

 SHOAL 0.001 0.000 0.022 320 

pH SHARK 7.918 7.565 8.265 30 

 SHELF 7.895 7.395 8.780 584 

 SHOAL 7.905 7.595 8.885 103 

Surface Salinity SHARK 34.6 24.4 40.7 91 

 SHELF 35.4 27.0 40.1 1809 

 SHOAL 35.5 27.9 38.8 318 

Bottom Salinity SHARK 34.6 26.0 40.7 62 

 SHELF 35.7 24.4 40.1 1241 

 SHOAL 35.7 31.0 39.2 219 

Silicate SHARK 0.424 0.000 1.756 85 

(ppm) SHELF 0.063 0.000 2.238 1738 

 SHOAL 0.041 0.000 1.698 305 

Soluble Reactive SHARK 0.001 0.000 0.006 92 

Phosphorus (ppm) SHELF 0.001 0.000 0.014 1825 

 SHOAL 0.001 0.000 0.008 320 

Surface SHARK 26.4 14.8 32.1 91 

Temperature SHELF 26.7 14.7 32.7 1809 

(

o

C) SHOAL 26.8 15.2 32.3 318 

Bottom SHARK 26.3 14.8 31.4 62 

Temperature SHELF 26.5 14.7 31.9 1241 

(

o

C) SHOAL 26.2 15.2 32.0 219 

Total Nitrogen SHARK 0.262 0.068 0.967 91 

(ppm) SHELF 0.200 0.027 1.028 1817 

 SHOAL 0.207 0.023 1.043 320 
114 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Total Organic SHARK 3.553 1.722 5.812 91 

Carbon (ppm) SHELF 2.482 1.009 16.708 1822 

 SHOAL 2.441 1.055 5.864 320 

Total Organic SHARK 0.247 0.059 0.957 91 

Nitrogen (ppm) SHELF 0.191 0.023 1.021 1817 

 SHOAL 0.198 0.020 1.040 320 

Total Phosphorus SHARK 0.015 0.004 0.079 92 

(ppm) SHELF 0.012 0.000 0.190 1825 

 SHOAL 0.012 0.003 0.038 320 

Turbidity SHARK 5.99 0.62 66.25 88 

(NTU) SHELF 2.02 0.00 45.05 1745 

 SHOAL 2.64 0.19 20.70 305 
115 

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

zone. 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Alkaline COCO 0.05 0.02 0.30 77 

Phosphatase EST 0.05 0.01 0.22 386 

Activity (μM hr-1) MARC 0.04 0.01 0.29 743 

 NPL 0.05 0.02 0.31 279 

 PIS 0.05 0.01 0.17 279 

 RB 0.05 0.01 0.44 428 

 SCB 0.05 0.01 0.19 465 

Chlorophyll a COCO 4.34 0.63 18.27 78 

(μg l-1) EST 3.95 0.41 24.68 395 

 MARC 4.37 0.38 20.85 757 

 NPL 2.99 0.33 18.22 285 

 PIS 3.34 0.49 28.63 285 

 RB 4.00 0.67 28.30 438 

 SCB 3.05 0.53 28.47 475 

Surface COCO 5.5 1.8 7.3 20 

Dissolved Oxygen EST 6.1 2.0 9.9 400 

(mg l-1) MARC 6.0 2.8 14.8 765 

 NPL 5.8 2.1 11.7 288 

 PIS 6.4 1.0 9.8 288 

 RB 5.8 1.3 12.9 431 

 SCB 6.4 3.0 10.8 480 

Bottom COCO 4.9 2.6 8.0 79 

Dissolved Oxygen EST 6.3 2.8 10.5 400 

(mg l-1) MARC 6.2 2.8 13.2 765 

 NPL 5.9 2.3 11.5 288 

 PIS 6.8 3.9 10.6 288 

 RB 6.0 2.7 10.0 443 

 SCB 6.6 3.1 11.1 480 

Ammonium COCO 0.046 0.001 0.217 77 

(ppm) EST 0.008 0.000 0.141 400 

 MARC 0.006 0.000 0.194 764 

 NPL 0.008 0.000 0.170 288 

 PIS 0.005 0.000 0.173 288 

 RB 0.008 0.000 0.239 442 

 SCB 0.010 0.000 0.184 477 

Nitrite COCO 0.002 0.000 0.017 78 

(ppm) EST 0.001 0.000 0.014 400 

 MARC 0.001 0.000 0.010 765 

 NPL 0.001 0.000 0.009 288 

 PIS 0.001 0.000 0.023 288 

 RB 0.001 0.000 0.009 443 

 SCB 0.001 0.000 0.047 480 

 

 
116 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Nitrate COCO 0.013 0.000 0.137 78 

(ppm) EST 0.003 0.000 0.126 400 

 MARC 0.002 0.000 0.052 765 

 NPL 0.003 0.000 0.103 288 

 PIS 0.003 0.000 0.087 288 

 RB 0.003 0.000 0.056 443 

 SCB 0.009 0.000 0.424 480 

pH COCO 7.745 5.200 8.390 53 

 EST 7.990 5.300 8.525 292 

 MARC 7.982 5.150 8.560 550 

 NPL 7.920 5.180 8.475 207 

 PIS 8.100 5.250 8.715 207 

 RB 7.870 5.180 8.565 335 

 SCB 8.025 5.260 8.550 345 

Surface Salinity COCO 33.1 3.5 38.3 20 

 EST 33.7 5.5 38.3 400 

 MARC 34.5 21.2 40.7 765 

 NPL 34.5 8.7 41.5 288 

 PIS 33.7 18.3 38.6 288 

 RB 34.3 14.2 40.5 430 

 SCB 30.3 1.3 37.9 480 

Bottom Salinity COCO 29.6 0.0 37.1 79 

 EST 33.5 2.8 38.5 400 

 MARC 34.5 15.5 40.6 765 

 NPL 34.3 6.8 41.4 288 

 PIS 33.1 17.0 38.5 288 

 RB 34.2 12.2 39.9 442 

 SCB 28.4 0.6 38.0 480 

Silicate COCO 0.825 0.166 2.940 31 

(ppm) EST 0.646 0.033 2.476 128 

 MARC 0.645 0.003 3.488 253 

 NPL 0.546 0.006 2.466 96 

 PIS 0.374 0.000 1.612 96 

 RB 0.717 0.014 2.436 147 

 SCB 0.821 0.045 4.175 160 

Soluble Reactive COCO 0.012 0.000 0.068 78 

Phosphorus (ppm) EST 0.006 0.000 0.060 400 

 MARC 0.004 0.000 0.035 765 

 NPL 0.005 0.000 0.034 288 

 PIS 0.005 0.000 0.153 288 

 RB 0.005 0.000 0.031 443 

 SCB 0.014 0.000 0.165 477 

Surface COCO 28.7 19.8 32.7 20 

Temperature EST 25.4 15.7 32.0 400 

(

o

C) MARC 25.8 12.7 32.5 765 

 NPL 25.8 15.4 32.0 288 

 PIS 24.9 14.3 33.0 288 

 RB 26.2 15.1 33.5 431 

 SCB 25.1 14.9 34.5 480 
117 

Variable Zone Median Min. Max. n 

Bottom COCO 26.1 17.7 32.8 79 

Temperature EST 25.6 15.7 32.2 400 

(

o

C) MARC 25.9 14.8 38.0 765 

 NPL 25.8 15.8 32.1 288 

 PIS 25.1 14.2 32.0 288 

 RB 26.3 15.1 33.6 443 

 SCB 25.3 15.0 33.1 480 

Total Nitrogen COCO 0.428 0.186 1.108 79 

(ppm) EST 0.273 0.092 0.982 400 

 MARC 0.255 0.055 0.951 765 

 NPL 0.255 0.066 0.736 288 

 PIS 0.276 0.019 1.250 288 

 RB 0.268 0.029 1.056 443 

 SCB 0.308 0.030 1.849 479 

Total Organic COCO 5.939 2.458 16.598 79 

Carbon (ppm) EST 4.303 2.087 17.602 399 

 MARC 3.987 1.443 15.172 765 

 NPL 3.714 1.748 13.520 288 

 PIS 4.240 1.808 13.733 288 

 RB 4.498 1.495 16.720 443 

 SCB 5.805 1.700 19.688 480 

Total Organic COCO 0.325 0.053 1.052 77 

Nitrogen (ppm) EST 0.250 0.033 0.769 400 

 MARC 0.241 0.048 0.908 764 

 NPL 0.228 0.028 0.713 288 

 PIS 0.246 0.017 1.229 288 

 RB 0.245 0.013 1.034 442 

 SCB 0.266 0.024 1.417 476 

Total Phosphorus COCO 0.049 0.018 0.118 79 

(ppm) EST 0.043 0.012 0.186 400 

 MARC 0.035 0.000 0.160 763 

 NPL 0.033 0.011 0.150 287 

 PIS 0.039 0.014 0.215 285 

 RB 0.038 0.002 0.102 441 

 SCB 0.050 0.012 0.213 475 

Turbidity COCO 4.46 0.35 18.08 79 

(NTU) EST 4.07 0.13 63.90 400 

 MARC 5.02 0.39 60.30 765 

 NPL 3.01 0.25 38.65 288 

 PIS 2.40 0.07 20.65 288 

 RB 5.01 0.61 35.25 443 

 SCB 2.53 0.06 55.35 480