Characterizing light attenuation within Northwest Florida Estuaries: Implications for RESTORE Act water quality monitoring

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:114

Article

Conmy, Robyn N.¹  Schaeffer, Blake A.²  Schubauer-Berigan, Joseph¹  Aukamp, Jessica³  Duffy, Allyn³  Lehrter, John C.³  Greene, Richard M.³ 

[1] US EPA, Off Res & Dev, NRMRL Land Remediat & Pollut Control Div, 26 W MLK Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45268 USA

[2] US EPA, Off Res & Dev, NERL Exposure Methods & Measurement Div, 109 TW Alexander Dr, Res Triangle Pk, NC 27711 USA

[3] US EPA, Off Res & Dev, NHEERL Gulf Ecol Div, 1 Sabine, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 USA

关键词: Deepwater Horizon oil spill;    RESTORE Act;    Northwest Florida Estuaries;    Water quality & clarity;    Light attenuation;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.030

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

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 (a(t-w)PAR) at 412 nm (5-11%), whereas colored dissolved organic matter was the largest (61-79%). Estuarine a(t-w)PAR was significantly related to light attenuation (K(d)PAR), 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. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

【 授权许可】

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