Samples were collected from all stations except Bayou’s Chico and Grande. Water temperatures are beginning to decrease (we have a couple logged in the 60’s). Salinities remain a little higher than normal for most locations. Less than 50% of the stations we monitor measured dissolved oxygen this week but for those that did – no problems. Bacteria counts are very low.
High levels of Karenia brevis (red tide) were reported this week in Bay and Gulf counties (Panama City and Port St. Joe). Both dead fish and respiratory irritations were reported from Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe area. Moderate levels were reported for Manatee, Sarasota, and Pinellas counties. Dead fish and respiratory irritations were reported from St. Casey Key Beach in Sarasota County. Low values were recorded from Charlotte and Lee counties.
The FWC fish kill database is up and running now. The new look is good, still learning to navigate but could not find any reports of dead fish in our two county area.
UWF will survey for lionfish inshore this weekend.
There has been concern about cases of Vibrio infection. We have posted an article about this bacteria which you can find at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2015/07/10/what-you-need-to-know-about-vibrio-bacteria-in-gulf-waters/
Health Advisories – 4 reported for October
Fish Kills – none for October
Red Tide – none for October
Inshore Lionfish – none for October
Here are the numbers…
Oct 16, 2015
FDEP Data
Body of Water Temp (F) Salinity (ppt) DO (mg/L) ENT ECHD
Floridatown 71 18.9 8.4 2
Blackwater River 67 3.2 6.9 31 (coliform)
Bayou Texar 69 20.9 7.3 4 GOOD
Bayou Chico no data
Bayou Grande no data
Lower Perdido Bay 72 25.8 nd 12
Upper Perdido Bay 73 18.4 nd 6 (coliform)
Wayside Gulf Breeze 72 28.7 nd 0
HIGH SCHOOL DATA – FOR SEPTEMBER
Washington High sampled Texar on Sep 1 and 15.
Water temperatures declined over those two weeks
Salinities were between 10 – 20 ppt
Dissolved oxygen read 3.8 mg/L at station #1 (12th avenue bridge) on Sep 1 but increased
Station #1 had high nitrogen levels all month (1400 – 1800 µg/L)
Stations #3, #4 (near Bayview Park) were 0 µg/L
There was a significant increase in phosphorus at #3 (Oyster Barn boat ramp) on Sep 1
There was a significant increase in chlorophyll a at #2 (Hyde Park road)
There was a significant decrease in water clarity in the bayou during September
West Florida sampled Upper Perdido Bay between Jan-Apr 2015 – no report so far this semester
Saw a significant decrease in total nitrogen in the spring
Saw a significant decrease in total phosphorus in the spring
Chlorophyll a was much higher in Jan than anytime during the spring
Escambia High – no report at this time
ENT – Enterococcus bacteria; an individual sample should not be more than 104 colonies / 100ml
Fecal Coliform – an individual sample should not be more than 800 colonies / 100ml of sample
DO – dissolved oxygen should be 3.0 mg/L or higher
ECHD – Escambia County Health Department (Enterococcus bacteria)
Good 0 – 35 colonies / 100ml
Moderate 36 – 104 colonies / 100ml
Poor +104 colonies / 100ml
FDEP – Florida Department of Environmental Protection
For more information on local water visit:
http://escambia.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/beaches/index.html
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