Coastal & Marine Geology Program > St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center > Biscayne Bay Benthic Organisms Project

Chemical Pollutants and Toxic Effects on Benthic Organisms, Biscayne Bay, Florida

Biscayne Bay Forams Home Photo Gallery: Common Forams of Biscayne Bay Issues: Everglades Restoration Coral-Reef Health Project Overview: Phase I: Pilot Study Phase II: Bay-Wide Assessment Methods: Introduction Benthic Foram Analysis Heavy-Metal Analysis Grain-Size Analysis References Project Contact: Barbara Lidz

Introduction   Sediment sampling: Landsat satellite image of Biscayne Bay, showing the boundary of Biscayne National Park (red line) and the sediment sampling locations of this study (Phase I: yellow triangles, Phase II: red squares). [larger version 104KB jpeg] Geologically, the porous limestone of Florida connects the Everglades with Florida and Biscayne Bays, the Florida Keys, and the largest offshore tract of coral reefs in the continental U.S. These areas are also biologically connected because many marine organisms spend different stages of their life cycles in the various ecosystems, most of which are in decline. Against a backdrop of biogeologic connectivity, deteriorating coastal environments, rising sea level and increasing pollution, the problem lies in not knowing how the Everglades restoration will affect the stressed co-joined systems. The Florida Everglades, designated a National Park in 1947, comprise the largest area of wetlands and mangrove swamps in North America. In the late 1940s following back-to-back hurricanes, a massive flood-control project was instigated to construct levees and canals throughout Central and South Florida. By draining 500,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee (Fig. 1, below) and diverting freshwater flow for cattle farming, urban development, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal water supplies, the infrastructure irreversibly damaged the wetlands and associated ecosystems. The canals severely altered regional hydrology and salinity (a measure of dissolved salts) along with habitats and natural fire resistance (Douglas, 1947). Introduction of agrichemicals and pesticides affected wildlife. Since the 1950s, the wetlands have been mined for limestone for use in cement, concrete, and asphalt. Miners have excavated thousands of acres, leaving barren rock pits in place of fertile swamps, and plan to expand operations to include thousands more. Figure 1: Index map of Florida. Coral reefs are indicated by orange on regional map at bottom.   The original Everglades watershed was 80 km wide, covered an area of 14,480 km², and extended for 400 km as a single hydrologic unit that flowed from the vicinity of Orlando to Florida Bay. Though only centimeters deep, the watershed was capable of filtering and removing most nutrients from the water. Today, reduced to less than half its size, the watershed filters far less and removes far fewer nutrients than in the past. Restoration of the Everglades is a National priority of branches of both State and Federal governments. continue to Everglades Restoration

printable 4-page report: Chemical Pollutants and Toxic Effects on Benthic Organisms, Biscayne Bay: A Pilot Study Preceding Florida Everglades Restoration USGS Open File Report 02-308 Related Research Projects: Ecosystem History of Biscayne Bay and the Southeast Coast USGS South Florida Ecosystem Program Remote Sensing of Water Turbidity and Sedimentation in Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay USGS South Florida Ecosystem Program Florida Keys Research Projects USGS South Florida Ecosystem Program Coral Mortality & African Dust USGS Coastal & Marine Geology Program Related Links: Center for Coastal & Regional Marine Studies USGS Biscayne National Park U.S. National Park Service Florida Caribbean Science Center USGS

Coastal & Marine Geology Program > St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center > Biscayne Bay Benthic Organisms Project

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Updated March 10, 2010 @ 11:49 AM (THF)