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Characterizing light attenuation within Northwest Florida Estuaries: Implications for RESTORE Act water quality monitoring
Citation:
Conmy, R., B. Schaeffer, J. Schubauer-Berigan, J. Aukamp, A. Duffy, J. Lehrter, AND R. Greene. Characterizing light attenuation within Northwest Florida Estuaries: Implications for RESTORE Act water quality monitoring. Charles Sheppard, Francois Galgani, Pat Hutchings, and Victor Quintino (ed.), MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 114(2):995-1006, (2017).
Impact/Purpose:
This paper arose from efforts under SSWR and SHC to utilize water quality data as baseline measures for RESTORE Act monitoring in Florida estuaries. This paper aims to (1) describe dynamics of optical constituents that impact water clarity in four NW Florida estuaries, and (2) make a case for the total absorption coefficient as a valuable management parameter that can be quantitatively linked to the concentration of attenuating materials within these systems. This information is of interest to Regional and Program Office decision makers, States, and local affected communities.
Description:
Water Quality (WQ) condition is based on ecosystem stressor indicators (e.g. water clarity) which are biogeochemically important and critical when considering the Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration efforts under the 2012 RESTORE Act. Nearly all of the proposed RESTORE projects list restoring WC as a goal, but 90% neglect water clarity. Here, dynamics of optical constituents impacting clarity are presented from a 2009-2011 study within Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew and St. Joseph estuaries (targeted RESTORE sites) in Northwest Florida. Phytoplankton were the smallest contribution to total absorption (at-wPAR) at 412 nm (5-11%), whereas colored dissolved organic matter was the largest (61-79%). Estuarine at-wPAR was significantly related to light attenuation (KdPAR), where individual contributors to clarity and the influence of climatic events were discerned. Provided are conversion equations demonstrating interoperability of clarity indicators between traditional State-measured WQ measures (e.g. secchi disc), optical constituents, and even satellite remote sensing for obtaining baseline assessments.
