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Florida seagrass habitat evaluation: A comparative survey for chemical quality
Citation:
LEWIS, M. A., D. D. DANTIN, C. A. CHANCY, AND K. ABEL. Florida seagrass habitat evaluation: A comparative survey for chemical quality. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 146(1):206-218, (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
This paper summarizes the results of the survey and compares them to those previously reported for other grass beds and geographical areas.
Description:
Contaminant concentrations were determined for media associated with 13 Florida seagrass beds. Concentrations of 10 trace metals were more commonly detected in surface water, sediment and two seagrass species than PAHs, pesticides and PCBs. Concentrations of copper and arsenic in surface water exceeded Florida aquatic life criteria more frequently than other trace elements. Total organic carbon, mercury, chromium, zinc, total chlordane, total PAHs, total PCBs, DDD and DDE were significantly greater in seagrass-rooted sediments than adjacent non-vegetated sediments. Total DDT, DDD, DDE, total chlordane, arsenic, copper and nickel exceeded proposed sediment quality guidelines at six of 13 grass beds. Pesticides, PAHs, and PCBs were below detection in seagrass tissues. Mercury, cadmium, nickel, lead and silver were detected in 50% or more of the tissues for Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). Spatial, interspecific and tissue differences were usually an order of magnitude or less.