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SEDIMENT AND PERIPHYTON ASSESSMENT AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION IN THE FLORIDA BAY-EVERGLADES TRANSITIONAL ZONE
Citation:
Lewis, M A., L R. Goodman, J M. Macauley, D. A. Weber, AND R S. Stanley. SEDIMENT AND PERIPHYTON ASSESSMENT AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION IN THE FLORIDA BAY-EVERGLADES TRANSITIONAL ZONE. Presented at SETAC 22nd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, November 11 - 15, 2001.
Impact/Purpose:
Conference Abstract
Description:
Florida Bay and its watershed are currently the focus of numerous investigations designed to assess the extent and cause of deterioration in environmental quality observed during recent years. Periphyton and sediment bioassessment were used in a multiyear study to compare the relative bioavailability of contaminants in Florida Bay and four adjacent slough areas. Effects of water quality on periphyton biomass, pigment content, tissue quality and community composition were assessed. In addition, sediment chemical quality, toxicities of whole
sediments and pore waters to macrophytes, benthic macroinvertebrates and bacteria and community composition of the benthos were determined. Distinct spatial and temporal differences were observed for the various parameters. Periphyton biomass was significantly greater in the Taylor River area and the least at Shell Creek. The sediments were generally not toxic to the animal and plant test species but those from the Taylor River area were significantlly more phytostimulatory. Bioresidues based on concentrations of metals,
pesticides, PAHs and PCBs were similar at most sites; however, some analytes such as chromium and mercury were several times greater in biota collected from the Taylor River and Trout Creek areas. The periphyton community was more diverse at Trout Creek and the least, near Shell Creek. The benthos was more diverse at the Shell Creek Area. Overall, the use of periphyton and sediment assessment provided useful insight on the role of several slough areas as sources of bioavailable contaminants to Florida Bay.