2013 Water Quality Report

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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Posted: December 23, 2013


Category: Natural Resources, Water



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