Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center Water Quality Canal Sampling Gated access to harbor
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center Canal Water Sampling Program South Gulf Cove Initiated 2009 Five Stations sampled in canals Quarterly samples by Benchmark technicians Benchmark EnviroAnalytical Inc. analysis Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Fecal Coliform bacteria Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Salinity Station Depth, Secchi Depth Air/Water Temp., Wind Spd./Dir., Cloud Cover
Processes Affecting Water Quality Tides - Not important in this location due to limited access Wind - Can cause some local currents Circulation - No flushing of canals Salinity - Mainly dependent on rainfall, evaporation Temperature - Shallow canals, little vertical change Sunlight - Plant growth Rain and Runoff - Potential source of pollution from land Turbidity - Vertical mixing, runoff Boating Activity
Station Locations Sampling Dates Feb May 2009 Aug Nov Feb May 2010 Nov Nov.2011 Feb May 2012 Aug.2012 Nov. 2012
Data Interpretation Methods: Dissolved Oxygen: Fish & Wildlife Standards. Bacteria: Public Health Standards. Secchi: FDEP Typical Water Quality Values. Chl & Nutrients: FL Trophic State Index.
Parameters Sampled <0.69 Good Fair >1.2 Poor <30 Good Fair >70 Poor
Parameters Sampled cont. <199 Good >200 Poor 2/2012 Sta. 1,3 = 2000 >5.0 Good Fair < 2 Poor
Parameters Sampled cont.
Nitrogen1.0 – 1.9 mg/l<.69 – 1.2 mg/l Phosphorus0.022 – mg/l< 0.03 – 0.06 Fecal Coliform10 – 120 #/100ml< 200 Dissolved Oxygen2.6 – 10.4 mg/l> 2 mg/l pH7.2 – 8.57 Neutral Salinity0.7 – 14.3 pptBrackish Transparency20 – 50 %Semi Summary of Parameter Ranges Observed Desired
Draft Criteria by Reference Period Approach