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PERIPHYTON AND SEDIMENT BIOASSESSMENT IN NORTH FLORIDA BAY
Citation:
Lewis, M A., D. E. Weber, L R. Goodman, R S. Stanley, W G. Craven Jr., J M. Patrick, R L. Quarles, T H. Roush, AND J M. Macauley. PERIPHYTON AND SEDIMENT BIOASSESSMENT IN NORTH FLORIDA BAY. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 65(3):503-522, (2000).
Description:
Periphyton colonization and sediment bioassessment were used in a survey to compare the relative environmental condition of sampling sites located in Florida Bay and four peripheral slough areas during the summer of 1995. Periphyton biomass, pigment content, tissue quality and community composition were determined. In addition, benthic community composition and the toxicities of whole sediments and associated pore waters were determined for two species of rooted macrophytes, an epibenthic invertebrate and bioluminescent bacteria. Several locational differences were observed for the response parameters. Periphyton biomass was significantly greater in the Taylor River and the least in Shell Creek (P < 0.05), Most sediments were not acutely toxic to mysid shrimp nor phytotoxic. However, sediments from the Taylor River were more phytostimulatory than others (P < 0.05). Contaminant bioresidues were similar at most sites, however, mercury, chromium and nickel concentrations were greater for periphyton colonized in the Taylor River and Trout Creek areas. Structural characteristics of the periphytic algal community usually were statistically similar but a consistent trend of lower density and diversity was evident for Shell Creek. The benthic community was the least diverse and dense in the Canal C-111. The results of this study provide an initial indication of differences in the role of several slough areas as possible sources of bioavailable contaminants to Florida Bay which warrants additional investigation.