Beginning in 2013 the Sea Grant Agent at the Escambia County Extension worked with stakeholders and local agencies to help improve water quality by monitoring nutrients and bacteria counts in the lower portion of Pensacola Bay. Surveys indicated that fish kills and health advisories were a major concern for local residents and in addition to educating the public on the cause of these problems monitoring was needed. Both state and county agencies currently monitor for bacteria and dissolved oxygen in several locations around the bay area. However tight budgets have restricted the frequency in which they can. To assist with this problem the Sea Grant Agent trains local residents through the University of Florida / IFAS LAKEWATCH Program and high school marine science classes on how to correctly sample and analyze water quality. This project, which we are calling “Bringing Back the Bayous”, is in its first year. The project is currently focusing on the three major bayous and lower Perdido Bay. Data collected by professionals and citizens is collected at the Extension office and posted on their website each week.
Escambia County Health Department samples for Enterococcus bacteria using the following scale:
“Good” = 0-35 colonies of bacteria / 100ml of sample), “Moderate” = 36-104 colonies, “Poor” = > 104 colonies. An advisory will be issued if “Poor” or if the monthly mean is higher than 35 colonies / 100ml.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection monitors water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and Enteroccocus bacteria. Dissolved oxygen values should be above 4.0 ppm.
The University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH program uses citizen volunteers to sample a body of water at 3 locations every other month. Samples include turbidity, chlorophyll, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Samples are analyzed at the LAKEWATCH lab in Gainesville and results are reported once a year. Data submitted is used to classify water as OGLIOTROPHIC (nutrient poor) MESOTROPHIC (normal range) EUTROPHIC (nutrient high) or HYPEREUTROPHIC (significantly high in nutrients). LAKEWATCH samples are collected from a boat.
The Marine Science Academy at Washington High School is conducting water quality monitoring at Bayou Texar. Students sample each week and analyze these in their lab on campus. The students monitor temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. They present their results to the public each year at the high school. MSA samples are collected from shore in 2-3 ft of water.
This is the annual report for 2013.
Bayou Texar
Bayou Texar is currently being monitored by the Escambia County Health Department, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH, and the Marine Science Academy at Washington High School. Here is a summary of their data for 2013.
ECHD
Number of samples = 37
“Good” = 28; “Moderate = 4; “Poor” = 5 There were 9 health advisories issued (24%)
FDEP
Number of samples = 21
Water Temperature – (mean = 74.2°F ± 11.5) (high = 92F; low = 53F)
Salinity – (mean = 13.2 ppt ± 5.7) (high = 26.3; low = 4.3)
Dissolved Oxygen – (mean = 6.9 mg/L ± 2.0) (high = 12.8; low = 4.3) number of hypoxic samples = 0
Enterococcus – (mean = 46) (high = 600; low = 1) number of samples over 104 = 2
LAKEWATCH
The current data submitted by UF/LAKEWATCH spans from June 2007 to September 2012. Samples have been collected since but have not been analyzed. Number of samples = 55
Station 1 – north end of the Bayou Texar
Phosphorus – (mean = 20 µg/L) – middle to high (50% of samples in FL are below this) – mesotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 820 µg/L) – high range (75% of FL is below) – eutrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 9 µg/L) – high (75% of FL samples are below) – eutrophic
Clarity – (mean = 3.1 ft.) – low (75% of FL samples are more clear) – HYPEREUTROPHIC
Station 2 – midpoint of Bayou Texar
Phosphorus – (mean = 22 µg/L) – middle to high range – mesotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 699 µg/L) – high – eutrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 11 µg/L) – high – eutrophic
Clarity – (mean = 3.4 ft.) – low – eutrophic
Station 3 – south end of Bayou Texar
Phosphorus – (mean = 22 µg/L) – middle to high – mesotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 614 µg/L) – high – eutrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 10 µg/L) – high – eutrophic
Clarity – (mean = 3.4 ft.) – low – eutrophic
MSA – Washington High School
Number of samples in fall of 2013 = 6
Station 1 – 12th Avenue Bridge
Phosphorus – (mean = 26.7 µg/L) – eutrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 1150 µg/L ) – eutrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 10.8 µg/L) – eutrophic
Dissolved oxygen – (mean = 4.4 mg/L) – non-hypoxic
Station 2- Hyde Park Road
Phosphorus – (mean = 6.67 µg/L) – oligotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 1816.67 µg/L) – HYPEREUTROPHIC
Chlorophyll – (mean = 91.19 µg/L) – HYPEREUTROPHIC
DO – (mean = 7.53 mg/L) – non-hypoxic
Station 3 – Public Boat Ramp near Marina Oyster Barn
Phosphorus – (mean = 8.33 µg/L) – oligotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 633.33 µg/L) – eutrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 63.63 µg/L) – HYPEREUTROPHIC
DO – (mean = 8.13 mg/L) – non-hypoxic
Station 4 – Dog Beach
Phosphorus – (mean = 10.00 µg/L) – oligotrophic
Nitrogen – (mean = 500.00 µg/L) – mesotrophic
Chlorophyll – (mean = 61.01 µg/L) – HYPEREUTROPHIC
DO – (mean = 7.78 mg/L) – non-hypoxic
Bayou Chico
Bayou Chico is currently being monitored by the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Due to budget constraints neither agency samples year round; focusing efforts in the warmer months. Bayou Chico currently does not have a University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH volunteer nor a high school monitoring. Here is a summary of their data for 2013.
ECHD
Number of samples = 28
“Good” = 18; “Moderate = 3; “Poor” = 7 There were 9 health advisories issued (32%)
FDEP
Number of samples = 9
Water Temperature – (mean = 78.9°F ± 6.7) (high = 87F; low = 69F)
Salinity – (mean = 10.3 ppt ± 6.6) (high = 18.9; low = 1.0)
Dissolved Oxygen – (mean = 7.0 mg/L ± 2.9) (high = 13.8; low = 4.6) number of hypoxic samples = 0
Enterococcus – (mean = 87) (high = 310; low = 7) number of samples over 104 = 3
Bayou Grande
Bayou Grande is currently being monitored by the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Due to budget constraints neither agency samples year round; focusing efforts in the warmer months. Bayou Grande just recently acquired a University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH volunteer but not in time for 2013 annual report. There are currently no high schools monitoring. Here is a summary of their data for 2013.
ECHD
Number of samples = 29
“Good” = 20; “Moderate = 2; “Poor” = 7 There were 7 health advisories issued (24%)
FDEP
Number of samples = 10
Water Temperature – (mean = 81.9°F ± 6.3) (high = 90F; low = 70F)
Salinity – (mean = 13.6 ppt ± 3.9) (high = 21.1; low = 7.6)
Dissolved Oxygen – (mean = 6.3 mg/L ± 2.3) (high = 12.4; low = 4.1) number of hypoxic samples = 0
Enterococcus – (mean = 54) (high = 340; low = 2) number of samples over 104 = 2
Lower Perdido Bay
Lower Perdido is currently being monitored by the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Due to budget constraints neither agency samples year round; focusing efforts in the warmer months. Lower Perdido just recently acquired a University of Florida/IFAS LAKEWATCH volunteer but not in time for 2013 annual report. There are currently no high schools monitoring. Here is a summary of their data for 2013.
ECHD
Number of samples = 25
“Good” = 24; “Moderate = 0; “Poor” = 1 There was 1 health advisory issued (4%)
FDEP
Number of samples = 14
Water Temperature – (mean = 74.6°F ± 8.9) (high = 86F; low = 59F)
Salinity – (mean = 16.1 ppt ± 5.1) (high = 23.5; low = 6.9)
Dissolved Oxygen – (mean = 5.6 mg/L ± 1.2) (high = 8.3; low = 4.4) number of hypoxic samples = 0
Enterococcus – (mean = 13) (high = 76; low = 0) number of samples over 104 = 0
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