Florida Bay Project Profiles: Water Quality Study by TNC BayWatch Volunteers

Question: How do phosphorus, nitrogen, and phytoplankton concentrations vary in the nearshore waters of the Florida Keys?

Project: An excess of the plant nutrients, phosphorus and/or nitrogen, in the water column may negatively affect water quality by fueling the growth of microscopic plants living in the water column called microalgae or phytoplankton. Blooms, or sudden population explosions of these microalgae, concern ecosystem managers because they reduce water clarity and may affect the food web in nearshore waters.

Florida Bay Watch Volunteers, trained in water quality sampling techniques by The Nature Conservancy, have been collecting water samples and environmental data from nearshore waters in the Florida Keys once a week starting in 1994. Sampling sites, located on the bayside or the oceanside of the keys, fall into two categories: developed shorelines such as residential canals and boat basins, and natural unobstructed shorelines. Water samples underwent nutrient and chlorophyll-a analyses in the SERP lab at Florida International University.

Findings to Date: Analysis of the data from 1994-1997 showed considerable variation at a station from week to week and among nearby stations. Overall, chlorophyll-a values tended to decrease during the three year period indicating that the amount of phytoplankton (microalgae) in the water column decreased. Nitrogen concentrations were higher on the bayside than on the oceanside. Phytoplankton populations tended to be higher at developed shorelines than at natural ones. Concentrations of nitrogen were higher during the wet summer season than during the dry winter season probably due to the higher outflow of water from land to sea which occurs with heavy rainfall.

Status: The Nature Conservancy’s Bay Watch project is ongoing. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, another year of data will soon be available.

Restoration Impacts: Continual monitoring of nearshore waters provides current information about water quality conditions for ecosystem managers to use in restoring the Everglades and Florida Bay.

Funding Sources: Environmental Protection Agency Region IV, Everglades National Park, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, South Florida Water Management District, Orvis Co., John Smale, Johnny Morris Foundation, Yamaha Billfish Tournament, Perkins Charitable Foundation, Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have provided in-kind support.

Related Profiles:

• FBPP - 88 • FBPP - 89

• FBPP - 91 • FBPP - 93

February 04, 2012 This page last modified: July 16, 2001
February 04, 2012 This page last modified: July 16, 2001	Water Quality Water Quality Study by TNC BayWatch Volunteers Florida Bay Project Profile - 92 *Question:* How do phosphorus, nitrogen, and phytoplankton concentrations vary in the nearshore waters of the Florida Keys? *Project:* An excess of the plant nutrients, phosphorus and/or nitrogen, in the water column may negatively affect water quality by fueling the growth of microscopic plants living in the water column called microalgae or phytoplankton. Blooms, or sudden population explosions of these microalgae, concern ecosystem managers because they reduce water clarity and may affect the food web in nearshore waters. Florida Bay Watch Volunteers, trained in water quality sampling techniques by The Nature Conservancy, have been collecting water samples and environmental data from nearshore waters in the Florida Keys once a week starting in 1994. Sampling sites, located on the bayside or the oceanside of the keys, fall into two categories: developed shorelines such as residential canals and boat basins, and natural unobstructed shorelines. Water samples underwent nutrient and chlorophyll-a analyses in the SERP lab at Florida International University. *Findings to Date:* Analysis of the data from 1994-1997 showed considerable variation at a station from week to week and among nearby stations. Overall, chlorophyll-a values tended to decrease during the three year period indicating that the amount of phytoplankton (microalgae) in the water column decreased. Nitrogen concentrations were higher on the bayside than on the oceanside. Phytoplankton populations tended to be higher at developed shorelines than at natural ones. Concentrations of nitrogen were higher during the wet summer season than during the dry winter season probably due to the higher outflow of water from land to sea which occurs with heavy rainfall. *Status: The Nature Conservancy’s Bay Watch project is ongoing. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, another year of data will soon be available. Restoration Impacts:* Continual monitoring of nearshore waters provides current information about water quality conditions for ecosystem managers to use in restoring the Everglades and Florida Bay. *Funding Sources:* Environmental Protection Agency Region IV, Everglades National Park, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, South Florida Water Management District, Orvis Co., John Smale, Johnny Morris Foundation, Yamaha Billfish Tournament, Perkins Charitable Foundation, Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have provided in-kind support. *Related Profiles:* • FBPP - 88 • FBPP - 89 • FBPP - 91 • FBPP - 93 fbpp 63
	The Florida Bay Education Project is an archived site. For more information go to NOAA's South Florida Ecosystem Education Project at www.aoml.noaa.gov/sfp/outreach.shtml.