# 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. Brice ñ 

# o, 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 Ba y, 49 stations on the Southwest Florida Shelf (Shelf), and 28 stations in the Cape Romano-Pine Island Sound area. Each of the stations in Florida Bay were monitored on a monthly ba sis 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 sa mpled 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 dele ted 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; ecosyst ems change with climate and management strategy, therefore, analytical results may change as more data is collected. It is also important to understand that trend analysis alone will not necessarily provide cause and effect relationships. One of the purposes of any monito ring program should be to use the data gained by routine sampling to extend our understanding of the system by developing new hypotheses as to the underlying driving processes. Much inferen ce into the behavior of South Florida estuaries can be made from the observed magnitude and distribution of water quality parameters. This type of multivariate approach should prove useful to scientists and managers faced with the task

# 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 h ealth of South Florida ecosystems because precipitation, temperature, evaporation and wind-dr iven 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 ecosy stems, especially affecting those stations influenced by the Loxahatchee. Dryness plus re duced 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 great er 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 y r-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, atmos pheric 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 (NO 3 - 

# ) was higher than normal especially for the summer months. Ammonium (NH 4 + 

# ) was higher than the grand median for the first half of th e 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 c onstruction 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 bei ng indicative of temporal trend towards lower concentration. Central Florida Bay : Salinity was higher in the early mont hs 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 unrem arkable; DO showed deviations from long term median possibly as a func tion of CHLA fluctuations. NO 3 - 

# was normal except for large increases in Nov.-Dec. NH 4 + 

# was significantly below average for the year. TP was slightly lower during the wet season than other years. CH LA was high early in the year but declined to normal levels for the remainder. TOC and TON we re 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 Ev erglades Shark Slough is very influential to water quality of this region. Large salinity va riations are the norm, being driven by both climactic events and water management practi ces. Although 2007 was relatively typical rainfall year, salinity patterns were generally not differe nt 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 Ever glades 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 a nd pH were unremarkable with values generally fluctuating around the median. DO was generally higher than normal as was turbidity. Some peaks in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were observed. TON was lo wer 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were all higher than the norm during the wet season. TON was lower than the grand median. CH LA 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 fluctu ating around the median. Large peaks in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 typica lly 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 we re unremarkable but both turbidity and pH showed large fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with large increases in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , TON, and TP as we have obs erved in other years. CHLA remained lower than the long term median. Inshore Zone : Because the Inshore Zone is a conti nuation of the offshore gradient, trends were very similar to those observed for th e 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 NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 char acterized by a large peak in Oct.- Nov. of NO 3 - 

# , TON, TP, CHLA and turbidity. We are uns ure 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 bl oom organisms to this part of Biscayne Bay by wind forcing, but there is no circul ation 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 NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 th at the most inshore area clearly shows the

# 8 input of freshwater from Shar k River being transported south and east around the Cape. Water overlying the northern shoal stations probably or iginates somewhere in or north of the Ten Thousand Islands. Our level of resolution is ve ry low due to the limited numbers of sampling events and by the relatively large spatial gap betw een 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were similar to other years. CHLA remained lower than the long term median. Shelf Zone : Because the Shelf Zone is a continuati on of the offshore gradient, trends were very similar to those observed for the Shark Z one. 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 be ing 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 signi ficantly higher concentrations of CHLA, TP, and DIN than the rest of the Ten Thousand Islands st ations. 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 a nd 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 aver age due to low freshwater inputs. NO 3 - 

# and NH 4 + 

# 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 re flecting 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and turbidity were highly variable and did not s eem 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 unrem arkable as compared to long term median. pH was higher than normal and also highly variable . DO was slightly higher than usual while NO 3 - 

# and CHLA were down. Turbidity, pH, and NH 4 + 

# 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 NO 3 - 

# . Temperature, DO, and TON we re unremarkable as compared to long term median. Turbidity, NO 3 - 

# , TP, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially during the wet season. NH 4 + 

# 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, NO 3 - 

# , TOC, and CHLA were generally lo wer than usual, especially during the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH 4 + 

# . TP was higher in the first 8 months and then declined to below the average. NH 4 + 

# 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, NO 3 - 

# , 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. NH 4 + 

# was highly variable and did not seem to be driven by freshwater inputs. TOC and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially duri ng the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH 4 +



# . Cocohatchee River : Like the Caloosahatchee, the Coc ohatchee 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 usua lly observed. We did not observe the usual 20-25 psu drop during the wet season or the concomitant increase in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# 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, labor atory 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 tha nk Vickie McGee at Rookery Bay NERR, the captain and crew of the R/V Bellows of the Fl orida 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 S outheast Environmental Research Center at Florida International University.

# 11 

# TABLE OF CONTENTS
P AGE 

# 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 3 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND ............................................................................................... 13 3. METHODS ......................................................................................................................... 15 3.1. L ABORATORY 

# A NALYSIS 

# QUALITY CONTROL ............................................................... 16 3.1.1. A CCURACY AND 

# P RECISION 

# ................................................................................................. 16 3.1.2. C ALIBRATION 

# D ATA 

# ............................................................................................................ 16 3.1.3. P ROBLEMS 

# ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.1.4. S OLUTION TO 

# P ROBLEMS 

# ..................................................................................................... 16 3.1.5. E FFECTS OF THE 

# R ESULT 

# A NALYSIS 

# D ATE 

# -T IME 

# ................................................................. 16 3.1.6. A LL 

# QC P ROBLEMS AND 

# L ISTING OF 

# A FFECTED 

# S AMPLES 

# .................................................. 16 3.2. FIELD M ONITORING 

# P ROBLEMS 

# ......................................................................................... 16 3.2.1. W EATHER 

# R ELATED 

# ISSUES .............................................................................................. 17 3.2.2. E QUIPMENT 

# F AILURES 

# ......................................................................................................... 17 3.2.3. S CHEDULING 

# P ROBLEMS 

# ...................................................................................................... 17 3.2.4. O THER



# ............................................................................................................................... .. 17 3.3. S TATISTICAL 

# A NALYSIS 

# ....................................................................................................... 17 3.3.1. D ISCUSSION 

# ......................................................................................................................... 17 3.3.1.1.1.O BJECTIVE 

# C LASSIFICATION 

# A NALYSIS 

# .......................................................................... 17 3.3.1.2.B OX AND 

# W HISKER 

# P LOTS 

# ................................................................................................. 18 3.3.1.3.CONTOUR MAPS ............................................................................................................ 18 3.3.2. S OFTWARE 

# USED ................................................................................................................ 19 3.3.3. G RAPHICAL 

# T REND 

# A NALYSIS 

# ............................................................................................. 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-te rm monitoring projects is to be able to detect trends in the measured parameters over time. These programs are usually initiated as a response to public perception (and possibly some sc ientific data) that “the river-bay-prairieforest-etc. is dying”. In the case of Florida Bay, the major impetus was the combination of a seagrass die-off, increased phytoplankton abundan ce, sponge mortality, and a perceived decline in fisheries beginning in 1987. In response to these phenomena, a network of water quality monitoring stations was established in 1989 to exp licate both spatial patterns and temporal trends in water quality in an effort to elucidate mechanisms behind the recent ecological change. This report summarizes the existing data from our South Florida 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 monitori ng program in September 1992. Biscayne Bay monthly monitoring began September 1993 for sta tions 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 networ k were moved to provide coverage of North Biscayne Bay. The Ten Thousand Islands site s 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 co llected from 10 cm below the surface using sample rinsed 120 ml HDPE bottles and kept at ambi ent 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 we re 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 to tal organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), and turbidity (NTU). TOC was measured by direct injection onto hot platinum catalyst in a Shimadzu TOC-5000 after first acidifying to pH<2 and purging with CO 2 

# -free air. TN was measured using an ANTEK 7000N Nitrogen Analyzer using O 2 

# as carrier gas instead of argon to promote complete recovery of the nitrogen in the water samples (Frankovich and Jones 1998). TP was determined using a dry ashing, acid hydrolysis technique (Solorzano a nd Sharp 1980). The APA assay measures the activity of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme us ed by bacteria to mineralize phosphate from organic compounds (Hashimoto et al. 1985). This assay is performed by adding a known concentration of an organic phosphate co mpound (o-methylfluorescein phosphate) to an unfiltered water sample. Alkaline phosphatase in the water sample cleaves the phosphate, leaving o-methylfluorescein, a highly fluorescent compound. The fluorescence of initial and 2 hr incubations were measured using a Gilford Fl uoro IV spectrofluorometer (excitation = 430 nm, emission = 507 nm) and 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 reac tive phosphorus (SRP), nitrate + nitrite (NO X - 

# ), nitrite (NO 2 - 

# ), ammonium (NH 4 + 

# ), and silicate (SiO 2 

# ) 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 comp ared to a standard curve of pure CHLA (Sigma). Some parameters were not measured directl y, but were calculated by difference. Nitrate (NO 3 - 

# ) was calculated as NO X - 

# - NO 2 - 

# . Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was calculated as NO X - 

# + NH 4 + 

# . Total organic nitrogen (TON) was defined as TN - DIN. Concen trations for all of these water quality variables are reported in units of milligrams per liter (mg l -1 

# ) or the equivalent parts per million (ppm), except where noted. All nutrient concentrations are based on the atomic weight of primary nutrient species (ppm-N, ppm-P, and ppm-C), not the molecular weight. All N:P ratios discussed are calculated on a molar basis.



# 3.1. LABORATORY ANALYSIS QUALITY CONTROL All laboratory QC data and results are include d 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 in cluded 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 qua lity characteristics (i.e. physical, chemical, and biological variables) using a statistical approac h. 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-sc ores prior to analysis to reduce artifacts of differences in magnitude among variables and to c onvert 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 stati on 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 purpos e 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 ar e 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 t op and bottom of the box are the 25 th 

# and 75 th 

# percentiles (quartiles), and the ends of the whiskers are the 5 th 

# and 95 th 

# percentiles. The notch in the box is the 95% confidence interval of the median. When notch es between boxes do not overlap, the medians are considered significantly different. Outliers (<5 th 

# and >95 th 

# 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 th e 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 sa me 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 & Sr ivastava, 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 (autoco rrelation). Therefore, unlike the inverse distance procedure, kriging will not produce valleys in th e 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 h ealth of South Florida ecosystems because precipitation, temperature, evaporation and wind-dr iven 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 Fl orida 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 y r-1 

# making it equal to the median value y ear since 1991. Nevertheless, July and August were above their respective medians by about 11 cm.

# 21 Figure 4.1.2. Precipitation of Central and Sout h Florida (modified from Sobczak 2008)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

19 9

1 1 99

2 1 993 1994 19 9

5 1996 19 9

7 19 9

8 1 999 2000 20 0

1 20 0

2 2 00

3 20 0

4 2 00

5 2006 20 0

7 20 0

8cm mo-1



# Figure 4.1.3. Monthly rainfall in South Florida (Roya l 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, atmos pheric 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 similaritie s 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 'zone s of similar influence'. The Eastern Bay zone acts most like a 'conventional' estuary in that it has a quasi-longitudinal salinity gradient caused by the mixing of freshwater runoff with seaw ater. In contrast, the Central Bay is a hydrographically isolated area with low and infre quent terrestrial freshwater input, a long water residence time, and high evaporative potential. Th e Western Bay zone is the most influenced by the Gulf of Mexico tides and is also isolated from direct overland freshwater sources.

# 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 dram atically. The salinity decline in Eastern and Central Florida Bay was dramatic early on and ha s since stabilized into a regular seasonal cycle (Fig. 4.1.4-4.1.6). The box-and-whisker plots presen ted 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 Ea stern 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 Cent ral 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 Ba y, CHLA has declined by 0.9 μg l -1 

# or 63%. Most of this decline occurred over a few months in the spring/summe r 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 consensu s 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 Hurrican e 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 deco mposition 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 w ith salinity, most of these declines occurred early in the record. Unlike most other estuarie s, increased terrestrial runoff may have been partially responsible for the decrease in TP concen trations 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 measur ed 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 load ing 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 assembla ge (DIN) is made up of ammonium (NH 4 + 

# ), nitrate (NO 3 - 

# ), and nitrate (NO 2 - 

# ). 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 NO 3 - 

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



# . Turbidity in the Central and Western Bays ha ve 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. Tu rbidity across the bay has since stabilized and possibly declined but certainly not to previous levels. In general, the Eastern Bay has the clearest water, which is due to a combination of factors such as high seagrass cover, more protected basins, low tidal energy, and shallow se diment coverage. We are unsure as to the cause, but the loss of seagrass coverage may have destabilized the bottom so that it is more easily disturbed by wind events.26Eastern Florida Bay Zone0102030405060 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.200.400.600.801.00 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.09 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.1.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Eastern Florida Bay by survey.27Central Florida Bay Zone010203040506070 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.200.400.600.801.001.20 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.05.010.015.020.025.030.035.0 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.1.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Central Florida Bay by survey.28Western Florida Bay Zone0102030405060 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.050.100.150.200.250.30 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.05.010.015.020.025.0 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 2004-06 2004-11 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 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 monthl y 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), how ever it showed higher salinity in the bay during the first few months than usual, perhap s 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 wa ter residence time has on Eastern Bay and the importance of rainfall. Temperature, DO, and turbidity were unremarkable. NO 3 - 

# was higher than normal especially for the summer months (Fig 4.1.7). NH 4 + 

# was higher than the grand median for the first half of th e 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 (Rudni ck et al. 2006). CHLA showed an inverse pattern to DIN, being highest in the wet s eason. 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. NO 3 - 

# was normal except for large increases in Nov.-Dec. (Fig 4.1.8). NH 4 + 

# was significantly below average fo r the year. TP was slightly lower during the wet season than other years. CH LA was high early in the year but declined to normal levels for the remainder. TOC and TON we re 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 32 Central Florida Bay (FBC)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 33 Western Florida Bay (FBW)

NO 3 -



### 0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010

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

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

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 Thous and 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 similaritie s 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 cl uster 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) in cluded 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

48

49 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

36 37 38 39 63 70

40 41 51 52 65 66 67 68

69 71

72 73

50 74

75

53 54 55 56

57 58 59

60 61 62 64 Faka Union Canal

Everglades City Blackwater River

Gulf Islands Inner Waterway

Mangrove

Rivers

Coot Bay Whitewater Bay



# Mangrove Rivers, Whitewater Bay, Gulf Islands, Coot Bay, Blackwater River, Inner Waterway Figure 4.2.1. Zones of similar water quality in Whitewater Bay-Ten Thousand Islands complex

Marked differences in physical, chemical, a nd 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 in fluence but also is affected by Caloosahatchee River outputs. CHLA concentrations were rela tively 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 increas ed 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 ar ea around the Blackwater River. The Mangrove Rivers were a significant source of TOC to the Shel f. 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 mangr ove forest is widest in the south (15 km) but grades to only 4 km wide in the northern TTI; th is 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 th e 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 di ssolved 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 fr om 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 S hoals. Finally there is the Blackwater River cluster with highest TP concentrations. There is considerable agriculture (tomatoes, etc.) in the Blackwater River watershed, which may contribut e significant amounts of P to the system via drainage ditches. Further analysis of this relationship is planned.37Whitewater Bay Zone05101520253035 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 2005-02 2005-11 2006-04 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.100.200.300.400.50 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 2005-02 2005-11 2006-04 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.020.040.060.080.10 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 2005-02 2005-11 2006-04 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.05.010.015.020.025.030.0 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 2005-02 2005-11 2006-04 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-12SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.2.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.38Mangrove Rivers Zone051015202530354045 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.100.200.300.400.50 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.020.040.060.080.100.12 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.02.04.06.08.010.012.014.016.018.0 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.2.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.39Gulf Islands Zone051015202530354045 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.050.100.150.200.25 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.050.100.150.20 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.05.010.015.020.025.0 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 2005-07 2005-12 2006-05 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.2.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.40Inner Waterway Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-02 2006-07 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35 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 2006-02 2006-07 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.25 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 2006-02 2006-07 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.0 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 2006-02 2006-07 2006-12 2007-05 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.2.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in WWB-TTI by survey.41Blackwater River Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-08 2007-01 2007-06 2007-110.000.050.100.150.200.250.30 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-08 2007-01 2007-06 2007-110.000.050.100.150.200.25 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-08 2007-01 2007-06 2007-110.05.010.015.020.0 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-08 2007-01 2007-06 2007-11SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 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 Ever glades 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). Alt hough 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 re sult of precipitation deficits (below grand median) for January, February, March, May, June and September

Whitewater Bay Salinity was elevated relative to long term me dian (Fig. 4.2.7). Temperature, DO, and pH were unremarkable with values genera lly fluctuating around the median. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP concentrations were elevated while TON was re duced. 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 va ried seasonally and was more volatile than the median.

Mangrove Rivers Salinity fluctuated widely due to freshwat er 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 NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were observed. TON was lo wer 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 Sl ough but was higher than usual (Fig. 4.2.9). Temperature, DO, and pH were unremarkable with values generally fluctuating around the median. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were all higher than the norm during the wet season. TON was lower than the grand median. CH LA 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 medi an 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 NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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)

NO 3 -



### 0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.025

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

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 45 Mangrove Rivers (MR)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 46 Inner Waterway (IWW)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 47 Blackwater River (BLK)

NO 3 -



### 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

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

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

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 c ontract 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 similaritie s 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 farthe r from the coast called Inshore (IS). Thirteen stations situated mostly in the bay proper we re called the main Bay (MAIN) group. The next cluster contained 3 stations situated in areas of great tidal exchange (ocean channel, not shown). Two stations in Card Sound grouped together SCARD. Finally, the Turkey Point station comprised its own cluster (not shown).

# 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 th e salinity gradient, highest concentrations of CHLA, DIN, and TP were observed near the coas t. 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 relativel y 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 concentr ations were highest in AS > IS > MAIN,

# 50 denoting a freshwater source (not shown). CH LA 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 2007.51Alongshore Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.200.400.600.801.001.201.40
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 2005-02 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.010.020.030.040.050.06
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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.00.51.01.52.02.53.0 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 2005-02 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-12SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.3.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.52Inshore Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.200.400.600.801.00 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.010.020.030.040.050.06 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.0 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-12SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.3.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.53Main Bay Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.100.200.300.400.50
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 2005-02 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.000.010.020.030.040.05 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 2005-02 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-120.01.02.03.04.05.0 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 2005-02 2005-10 2006-03 2006-09 2007-02 2007-07 2007-12SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.3.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.54South Card Sound Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-03 2005-11 2006-04 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.050.100.150.200.25
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 2005-03 2005-11 2006-04 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.000.010.020.030.04
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 2005-03 2005-11 2006-04 2006-10 2007-03 2007-080.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0 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 2005-03 2005-11 2006-04 2006-10 2007-03 2007-08SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.3.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in Biscayne Bay by survey.55North Bay Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.000.100.200.300.40 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.000.010.020.030.040.050.06 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-12 2007-05 2007-100.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.010.0 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-12 2007-05 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 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 typica lly 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 Marc h 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). Temperatur e 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 NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 th e 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 la rge fluctuations, primarily in the dry season. The Oct. drop in salinity coincided with large increases in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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 Ba y were damped by its large volume and short residence time due to oceanic mixing. Salinity, te mperature, 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 characteri zed by a large peak in Oct.-Nov. of NO 3 - 

# , TON, TP, CHLA and turbidity. (Fig. 4.3.10) We are unsur e 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 circul ation 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 a nd urbanized area of Biscayne Bay. As such nutrients tend to be higher in this region (Fi g. 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 increas e in the fall while pH dropped in early spring. Large variations in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , 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)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 59 Inshore (IS)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 60 Main Bay (MAIN)

NO 3 -



### 0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010

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

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 61 South Card Sound(SCARD)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 62 North Bay (NBAY)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

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 l onger 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 similaritie s in water quality (Fig. 4.4.1). The first cluster was composed of only 2 stations, which were clos est to the shore off Cape Sable; they were called the SHARK group after the Shark River, the main source of freshwater to the region. The second cluster was made up of the 7 more north erly stations nearest the coast and called SHOAL. The remaining stations were called the SHELF group.

-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). Ther e 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 circulati on 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 unders tanding 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 quality65Shark Zone051015202530354045 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 2005-10 2006-06 2006-10 2007-040.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14
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 2005-10 2006-06 2006-10 2007-040.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.090.10 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 2005-10 2006-06 2006-10 2007-040.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.010.0 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 2005-10 2006-06 2006-10 2007-04SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.4.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in SW Florida Shelf by survey.66Shelf Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-10 2007-04 2007-090.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.09 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-10 2007-04 2007-090.000.010.020.030.040.05 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-10 2007-04 2007-090.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.010.0 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 2006-01 2006-06 2006-10 2007-04 2007-09SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.4.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in SW Florida Shelf by survey.67Shoal Zone0510152025303540 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 2005-10 2006-05 2006-07 2007-01 2007-070.000.010.020.030.040.050.06 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 2005-10 2006-05 2006-07 2007-01 2007-070.000.010.020.030.04 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 2005-10 2006-05 2006-07 2007-01 2007-070.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.0 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 2005-10 2006-05 2006-07 2007-01 2007-07SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 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 anal yze 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and TP were similar to other y ears. 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 lowe r 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)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 70 Shelf (SHELF)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 71 Shoal (SHOAL)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

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 st ations (Fig. 4.5.1). These groupings are the Cocohatchee River at Wiggins Pass (COCO), Es tero Bay (EST), Cape Romano-Marco Island (MARC), Naples Bay (NPL), Pine Island Sound (P IS), 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 excessi ve when compared to the overall Ten Thousand Islands. SCB is most directly affected by the re leases also had highest concentrations of TP, DIN, and TOC. Estero Bay also exhibited lowe r salinities than the other areas as a result of

# 73 freshwater input from the Estero and Imperial Ri vers 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 con centrations 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.74Marco Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.25
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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.14 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.2. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.75Rookery Bay Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.250.30 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.020.040.060.080.10 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.030.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.3. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.76Naples Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.25 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.15 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.4. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.77San Carlos Bay Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.100.200.300.400.500.600.70 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.25 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.030.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.5. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.78Estero Bay Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.200.25
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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.140.160.18
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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.6. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.79Pine Island Sound Zone0510152025303540 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.20
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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.000.050.100.150.20 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-100.05.010.015.020.025.030.0 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 2006-07 2006-10 2007-01 2007-04 2007-07 2007-10SalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll aFigure 4.5.7. Box-and-whisker plots of water quality in RB-PIS by survey.80Cocohatchee River at Wiggins PassSalinityDissolved Inorganic NTotal PChlorophyll a0510152025303540 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 2004-12 2005-07 2006-01 2006-07 2007-01 2007-07 2007-110.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35 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 2004-12 2005-07 2006-01 2006-07 2007-01 2007-07 2007-110.000.020.040.060.080.100.12 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 2004-12 2005-07 2006-01 2006-07 2007-01 2007-07 2007-110.05.010.015.020.0 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 2004-12 2005-07 2006-01 2006-07 2007-01 2007-07 2007-11Figure 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 pathwa ys (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 lo w 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 av erage due to low fres hwater inputs. NO 3 - 

# and NH 4 + 

# were highly variable and did not seem to be dr iven 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 unremar kable 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. NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# , and turbidity were highly variable and did not s eem 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 variab le. DO was slightly higher than usual while

# 82 NO 3 - 

# and CHLA were down. Turbidity, pH, and NH 4 + 

# 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 La ke 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 obs erve the usual 10-15 psu drop during the wet season nor the concomitant increase in NO 3 - 

# . Temperature, DO, and TON were unremarkable as compared to long term median. Turbidity, NO 3 - 

# , TP, TOC, and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially during the wet season. NH 4 + 

# 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, NO 3 - 

# , TOC, and CHLA were generally lo wer than usual, especially during the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH 4 + 

# . TP was higher in the first 8 months and then declined to below the average. NH 4 + 

# 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, NO 3 - 

# , 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. NH 4 + 

# was highly variable and did not seem to be driven by fres hwater inputs. TOC and CHLA were generally lower than usual, especially during the wet season. Peaks in CHLA sometimes corresponded with peaks in TP and NH 4 +



# .

# 83 Cocohatchee River Like the Caloosahatchee, the Cocohatchee Ri ver was under low flow conditions due to the drought. Salinity dipped only sligh tly during the wet season in contrast to the large declines usually observed (Fig. 4.5.14). We did not obs erve the usual 20-25 psu drop during the wet season nor the concomitant increase in NO 3 - 

# , NH 4 + 

# 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)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 85 Rookery Bay (RB)

NO 3 -



### 0.000 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.020

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

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 86 Naples Bay (NPL)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10

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

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 87 San Carlos Bay (SCB)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



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

# 88 Estero Bay (EST)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



# Figure 4.5.12. Comparison of long-term median with 2007 data.

# 89 Pine Island Sound (PIS)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



# Figure 4.5.13. Comparison of long-term median with 2006 data.

# 90 Cocohatchee River (COCO)

NO 3 -



### 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 Monthppm

Median 2007 

### NH 4 +

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

Median 2007



### Temp.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

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

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 Monthppb

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 Monthppm

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 MonthNTU

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 Monthppm

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 Monthppm

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 Oc t.-Dec., 2007 (200-202) were revised to include the ADaPT electronic deliverables and expanded QA reports.



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# , J. C ULTER 

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# , J. H UNT 

# . 2002. The 2002 “black water” event off SW Florida as detected by satellites. EOS 83: 281, 285. F OURQUREAN 

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

# , AND 

# M. J. D URAKO 

# . 2003. The influence of water quality on seagrass distribution and abundance in Florid a Bay: predictive models from long-term monitoring programs. Ecological Applications 13: 474-489. J AFFÉ 

# , R, J. N. B OYER 

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# . 2004. Source characterization of dissolved organic matter in a subtropical mangrove-dominated estuary by fluorescence analysis. Marine Chemistry 84: 195-210. S CULLEY 

# , N. M., N. M AIE 

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# R. J AFFÉ 

# . 2004. Photochemical and microbial transformation of plant derived dissolv ed organic matter in the Florida Everglades. Limnology and Oceanography 49: 1667-1678. K ELBLE 

# , C. R., P. B. O RTNER 

# , G. L. H ITCHCOCK 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2005. A re-examination of the light environment of Florida Bay. Estuaries 28: 560-571. C ACCIA 

# , V. G. AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 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. C HILDERS 

# , D. L., J. N. B OYER 

# , S. E. D AVIS 

# , C. J. M ADDEN 

# , D. T. R UDNICK 

# , AND 

# F. H. S KLAR



# . 2006. Relating precipitation and water manageme nt to nutrient concentrations in the oligotrophic “upside-down” estuaries of the Florida Everglades. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 602-616. B OYER 

# , J. N., S. K. D AILEY 

# , P. J. G IBSON 

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# , D. M IR 

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# . 2006. The role of DOM bioavailability in promoting cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay: Competition between bacteria and phytoplankton. Hydrobiologia 269: 71-85. M AIE 

# , N., J. N. B OYER 

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# , AND 

# R. J AFFÉ 

# . 2006. Spatial, geomorphological, and seasonal variability of CDOM in estuaries of the Florida Coastal Everglades. Hydrobiologia 269: 135- 150. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2006. Shifting N and P limitation al ong a north-south gradient of mangrove estuaries in South Florida. Hydrobiologia 269: 167-177.

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# B. K ELLER 

# . 2007. Nutrient Dynamics, p.55-76. In Hunt, J. H., and W. Nuttle (eds), Florida Bay Science Program: A Synthe sis of Research on Florida Bay. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Technical Report TR-11. C ACCIA 

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# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2007. A nutrient loading budget for Biscayne Bay, Florida. Marine Pollution Bulletin 54: 994–1008. W ILLIAMS 

# , C. J., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# F. J. J OCHEM 

# . 2008. Indirect hurricane effects on resource availability and microbial communities in a s ubtropical wetland - estuary transition zone. Estuaries and Coasts 31: 204-214. C OLLADO 

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# . 2007. Tropical seagrass-associated macroalgae distributions and trends relative to water quality. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 73: 680-694. G IBSON 

# , P., J. N. B OYER 

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# N. P. S MITH 

# . 2007. Nutrient mass flux betw een Florida Bay and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Estuaries and Coasts 31: 21-32. B OYER 

# , 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 Nationa l Marine Sanctuary. Colloquium proceedings, 19-21 August 2004, Marine Sanctuaries Conser vation Series NMSP-08-02, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Sanctuary Program, Silver Spring, MD. 263 pp. B OYER 

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# , F. J., M. T. R OGERS 

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# . (in review). Bacterial abundance, growth rates, and grazing losses in Florida Bay as a function of nutrient status. Aquatic Microbial Ecology

. S TANAWAY 

# , K., J. N. B OYER 

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# P. M ONGKRONS 

# . (in review). Effects of flocculent microbial mats and seagrass roots and rhizomes on sediment nutrient fluxes in a shallow estuary. Estuaries and Coasts

. B OYER 

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# 8. PRESENTATIONS DERIVED FROM THIS PROJECT

B OYER 

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

# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1995. Spatial analysis of long term water quality data from Florida Bay. Estuarine Research Federation - Corpus Christi, TX. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1996. The Florida Bay water quality monitoring program: assessing status and trends. 1996 Florida Bay Science Conference - Key Largo, FL. B OYER 

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

# , AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1997. Temporal trends in water chemistry of Florida Bay (1989-1995): Influence of water mana gement activities. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Santa Fe, NM. J ONES 

# , R. D., AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 1998. An overview of water quality in Florida Bay and surrounding waters: current status and trends. 1998 Florida Bay Science Conference, Miami, FL. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1998. Influence of coastal geomorphology and watershed characteristics on the water quality of mangrove estuaries in the Ten Thousand Islands - Whitewater Bay complex, Florida. 1998 Florida Bay Science Conference, Miami, FL. F OURQUREAN 

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

# , J. C. Z IEMAN 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 1998. Seagrass beds respond to the magnitude and location of nutrient sources in the South Florida hydroscape. ASLO/ESA, St. Louis, MO. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1998. A view from the bridge: th e influence of Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and the Southwest Shelf on the r eefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. ASLO/ESA, St. Louis, MO. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# 1999. Relative influence of Florid a Bay on the water quality of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 1999 Florida Bay Science Conference, Key Largo. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 1999. An ecotone of estuarie s? Influence of watershed characteristics on the mangrove estuaries in southwest Florida. ERF, New Orleans, LA. C HILDERS 

# , D. L., J. B OYER 

# , J. F OURQUREAN 

# , R. J AFFE 

# , ET AL 

# . 2000. Regional Controls of Population and Ecosystem Dynamics in an Oligotrophic Wetland-dominated Coastal Landscape - Introducing a New LTER in the Coas tal Everglades. International Association of Landscape Ecologists, Ft. Lauderdale. L U 

# , X., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# R. J AFFE 

# . 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida estuaries by UV-Visible and fluorescence anal ysis. South Florida ACS Meeting, Orlando.

# 97 F OURQUREAN 

# , J., AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2000. Seagrass species react independently to water quality in South Florida. ASLO, Orlando. B OYER 

# , J. N., D. C HILDERS 

# , R. J AFFE 

# , R. J ONES 

# , AND 

# L. J. S CINTO 

# . 2000. What We Already know About the Water Quality/Nutrient Status of the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER and Its Environs. LTER All Scientists Meeting, Snowbird, UT. L U 

# , X., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# R. J AFFE 

# . 2000. Source characterization of DOM in southwest Florida estuaries by UV-Visible and fluorescen ce analysis. ASLO, Albuquerque, NM. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# R. D. J ONES 

# . 2001. Trends in water quality of Florida Bay. 2001 Florida Bay Science Conference, Key Largo, FL. F OURQUREAN 

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

# , M. J. D URAKO 

# . The statistical relationship between benthic habitats and water quality in Florida Bay. 2001 Florida Bay Science Conference, Key Largo, FL. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# S. K. D AILEY 

# . 2002. Microbial dynamics in Fl orida Bay and the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER. Southeastern Estuarine Research Society - Oct. 2002. D AILEY 

# , S. K., AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2002. Evidence of mid-river productivity maxima in the Shark River, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER. South eastern Estuarine Research Society - Oct. 2002. A ZUA 

# , A., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# P. R. G ARDINALI 

# . 2002. Trace Determination of Caffeine in Coastal Waters from the Florida Keys. SETAC - Nov. 2002. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# S. K. D AILEY 

# . 2003. Microbial Dynamics in Flor ida 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. D AILEY 

# , S. K. AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Uncoupling autotrophic a nd heterotrophic microbial response to increased DOM in Florida Bay. Jo int Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. F OURQUREAN 

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

# , B. J. P ETERSON 

# , M. J. D URAKO 

# , L. N. H EFTY 

# . 2003. The response of seagrass distribution to cha nging water quality: predictive models from monitoring data. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. G IBSON 

# , P. J., S. K. D AILEY 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Bloom in a Bottle: Experimental Derivation of the Mechanism for the Onset and Persiste nce of Phytoplankton Blooms in Florida Bay.

# 98 Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. K ELBLE 

# , C. R., G. L. H ITCHCOCK 

# , P. B. O RTNER 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. A recent study of the light environment in Florida Bay. Joint Conf erence on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. K UHNLEIN 

# , E., S. K. D AILEY 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Florida Bay Phytoplankton Community Structure and Algal Energetics using PAM Fl uorometry. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. M IR 

# -G ONZALEZ 

# , D., J. M EEDER 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 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. R OGERS 

# , M., S. K. D AILEY 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Bacterial Enumeration in Florida Bay Using Epifluorescent Microscopy and Flow Cytome try. Joint Conference on the Science and Restoration of the Greater Everglades and Florida Bay Ecosystem - April. 2003. S CULLY 

# , N. M., N. M AIE 

# , S. K. D AILEY 

# , J. N. B OYER 

# , R. D. J ONES 

# , AND 

# R. J AFFÉ 

# . 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. G IBSON 

# , P. J., S. K. D AILEY 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Does DOM have a role in promoting cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay, USA? Es tuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. M IR 

# -G ONZALEZ 

# , D., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# J. M EEDER 

# . The Effect of Groundwat er Nutrient Inputs on Benthic Macrophyte Community Structure in Bi scayne Bay, Florida. Estuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. R OGERS 

# , M. T., J. N. B OYER 

# , AND 

# S. K. D AILEY 

# . 2003. Bacterial biomass and production in Florida Bay, USA. Estuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003. B ENNETT 

# , R. J., P. H. D OERING 

# , D. T. R UDNICK 

# , AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2003. Nutrient – phytoplankton relationships: a comparison of Sout h Florida’s estuaries. Estuarine Research Federation Meeting - Sept. 2003.

# 99 B OYER 

# , 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. B OYER 

# , J. N., R. J AFFE 

# , S. K. D AILEY 

# , N. M AIE 

# . 2004. Biological availability of dissolved organic nitrogen entering Florida Bay from the Evergl ades and fringing mangroves. ASLO Meeting, Savannah, GA - June 17, 2004. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2004. Long term water quality monitoring in South Florida. Coral Reef Joint Task Force Special Session, Miami Beach, FL. – Sept. 2004. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2004. Water Quality Issues in the FKNMS. Keys Connectivity Meeting, Key West, FL - Aug. 2004. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2005. South Florida Estuarine Water Quality Monitoring Network Presentation, Big Cypress Basin Board Meeting, Naples – Feb. 18, 2005. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2005. Effect of landuse and water manage ment on water quality of Biscayne Bay, USA, ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting – Feb. 20-25, 2005 (V. Caccia-Gonzalez, presenter). B OYER 

# , J. N., S. K. D AILEY 

# , P. J. G IBSON 

# , M. T. R OGERS 

# , D. M IR 

# -G ONZALEZ 

# . 2006. Bioavailability of dissolved organic nitroge n in Florida Bay. Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Systems Science Conference – Duck Key, FL, 2006. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# H. O. B RICEÑO 

# . 2006. What is driving long-term declines in organic matter export from the Everglades mangrove fore sts? ASLO, Victoria, BC – June 4-9, 2006. B RICEÑO 

# , H. O., AND 

# J. N. B OYER



# . 2007. Long-term Declines in TOC, TON and TP Export from the Everglades Mangrove Forests. CESU meeting, Miami, FL. Feb. 23, 2007. B OYER 

# , J. N., AND 

# H. O. B RICEÑO 

# . 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 B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# H. O. B RICEÑO 

# . 2007. Status of water quality in the SW region. Big Cypress Basin Board, Naples, FL – Feb. 28, 2007. B OYER 

# , J. N. , M. I KENAGA 

# , A. D EAN 

# , C. P ISANI 

# , AND 

# K. M. S ABO 

# . 2007. Relationship between water management and cyanobacterial blooms in Florida Bay, USA. Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean. USVI – June 6, 2007. B RICEÑO 

# , H. O. AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2007. Nutrient dynamics along a salinity gradient in the mangrove forest, Florida Coastal Everglades. Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean.

# 100 B RICEÑO 

# , H. O. AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2007. Spatial and Temporal Trends of Water Quality in the South Florida Coastal Region. Chapman Confer ence on Long Time-Series Observations in Coastal Ecosystems: Comparative Analyses of Phytoplankton Dynamics on Regional to Global Scales. Rovinj, Croatia. Oct. 8-12, 2007. B OYER 

# , J. N. 2007. Update on the Florida Bay Bloom. FKNMS Sanctuary Advisory Committee. Marathon, FL – Aug. 21, 2007. B OYER 

# , J. N. AND 

# H. O. B RICEÑO 

# . 2007. A Tale of Two Estuarie s: Hydrology and Nutrient Loading in Biscayne and Florida Bays, USA. Estuarine Research Conference. B RICEÑO 

# , H. O. AND 

# J. N. B OYER 

# . 2007. Long-term nutrient dynamics in Florida Bay waters, USA. Estuarine Research Conference. K ELBLE 

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

# , D. R UDNICK 

# , AND 

# P. B. O RTNER 

# . 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 ( μ M 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 ( μ g 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 ( μ M 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 ( μ g 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 ( μ M 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 ( μ g 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 ( μ M hr -1 

## ) SHOAL 0.047 0.006 7.627 296

Chlorophyll a SHARK 1.608 0.254 8.910 92 ( μ g 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-Pi ne 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 ( μ M 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 ( μ g 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