Modeling surface and subsurface hydrologic interactions in a south Florida watershed near the Biscayne Bay

2004 ◽  
pp. 1607-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Chi Jerry Lin ◽  
Hwai-Ping (Pearce) Cheng ◽  
Earl V. Edris ◽  
Gour-Tsyh (George) Yeh
Keyword(s):  
South Florida ◽  
Biscayne Bay

scholarly journals Saws and the city: smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata encounters, recovery potential, and research priorities in urbanized coastal waters off Miami, Florida, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 543-553
Author(s):  
LH McDonnell ◽  
TL Jackson ◽  
GH Burgess ◽  
L Phenix ◽  
AJ Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Priorities ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dade County ◽  
Biscayne Bay ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Recovery Potential ◽  
Coastal Urbanization ◽  
Pristis Pectinata

As coastal urbanization increases globally, the subsequent effects on marine animals, especially endangered species, inhabiting nearshore waters have become a research priority. The smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata, once abundant in US waters, now only persists in a few parts of its former range, including South Florida. Many areas utilized by smalltooth sawfish are estuarine systems or other shallow coastal habitats, making this species particularly vulnerable to threats associated with coastal development. To date, P. pectinata has been understudied in the waters in and around Biscayne Bay, Florida, a coastal waterway subjected to the urbanization of adjacent Miami-Dade County. Here, we summarize data from reported smalltooth sawfish encounters dating as far back as 1895 (N = 90) and detail opportune recordings (incidental catches, acoustic detections, and baited remote underwater videos) of sub-adults and adults (N = 14 individuals) in Biscayne Bay and the adjacent reef tract. These data demonstrate historical and increased contemporary use of the study area by this imperiled species, suggesting potential local and regional recovery. Most documented sawfish occurrences were near the urban center, indicating a need to understand the effects of coastal urbanization on sawfish and on the species' recovery potential. We suggest priorities for future research on P. pectinata in the study area that will assist in addressing regional management goals and contribute to understanding the ecology of smalltooth sawfish under environmental change.

N2 fixation in the rhizosphere of Thalassia testudinum

1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 998-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas G. Capone ◽  
Barrie F. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Thalassia Testudinum ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Biscayne Bay ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Lag Period

N2 fixation (C2H2 reduction) associated with the roots, rhizomes, and sediments (rhizosphere cores) of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum was measured at sites in South Florida (Soldier Key, Biscayne Bay) and the Bahamas (Bimini Harbor). Rates of C2H2 reduction were higher in anaerobic than in aerobic assays and were linear for several hours after an initial lag period of 1–2 h. Nitrogenase activity was proportional to the weight of rhizomes plus roots but showed no correlation with the total weight of the rhizosphere cores. C2H2 reduction occurred to depths of at least 30 cm but the majority (>85%) of the activity was in the 0- to 20-cm fraction; also the ratio of activities for the 0- to 10- and 10- to 20-cm depths was about 2:1. Most investigations were carried out using anaerobic assays of the 0- to 10-cm fractions and rates calculated for the period of 3–6 h after adding C2H2. These rates were not stimulated by organic compounds (glucose, lactate, succinate) but were approximately halved by a decrease in temperature of 10 °C. In a seasonal study at Soldier Key the rates of N2 fixation varied about 20-fold with maximal rates in late summer and minimal rates in winter (January). On a diurnal basis, C2H2 reduction increased in the morning but was depressed in midafternoon, probably due to O2 buildup in the rhizosphere. Daily rates of N2 fixation, during the summer months of 1975–1978, varied between 5 and 24 mg N m−2 and the estimated annual rates of N2 fixation were 10–50 kg N ha−1, taking into account seasonal variations and activities to a depth of 20 cm.

scholarly journals Seagrass fatalities in North Biscayne Bay, South Florida due to increases in nutrients and macroalgae in its environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Carbonell ◽  
Leya Joykutty ◽  
Blake Velde
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Task Force ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Biscayne Bay ◽  
Economic Decline ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Subtropical Estuary

Biscayne Bay is a subtropical estuary located in South Florida. It is a rich environment containing a multitude of organisms such as seagrass, sponges, and fish. The Biscayne Bay ecosystem is currently undergoing a drastic environmental decline due to seagrass fatalities throughout the area, specifically in North Biscayne Bay. This literature review pinpointed the causes and effects of these seagrass fatalities from analyzed research that has been completed on this subject. The research papers found for this review came from five databases: Google Scholar, the Biscayne Bay Task Force Database (HPI), Gale in Context, Gale Academic OneFile and JSTOR. A total of 245 papers were looked over and 18 articles were left to use for this review. From those papers, it was concluded that the most probable cause of the seagrass fatalities was the pollution runoff from metropolitan areas that stimulated nutrient overloads. These nutrient overloads are factors that cause algal blooms, which in turn cause these seagrass fatalities due to lack of sunlight and resources for photosynthesis. The lack of seagrass regulating the fragile Biscayne Bay environment is also causing an influx of fish deaths, which is bringing about a local economic decline in commercialized fishing. Without the properties of seagrass in Biscayne Bay, it can cause a more drastic environmental meltdown that may not be fixable.

Engineering Solutions to the Problem of Hypersalinity in Florida Power & Light’s Turkey Point Cooling Canals

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Echevarria
Keyword(s):  
Saltwater Intrusion ◽  
System Development ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Biscayne Bay ◽  
Canal System ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
Hypersaline Water ◽  
Hypersaline Condition

The aim of this project is to investigate engineering methods to reduce salinity in the cooling canals at the Florida Power & Light (FP&L) Turkey Point Power Plant. In order to stop discharging hot water from the plant into the adjacent Biscayne Bay, a cooling canal system was made operational in 1972 that occupies an area 3.2 km wide by 8.0 km long extending south of the plant. The 5,900 acre canal system has been measured at twice the salinity of the adjacent Biscayne Bay at as high as 68 ppt [Appendix i]. Florida Power & Light added a canal along the western perimeter of the cooling canal system to intercept seepage. The interceptor ditch enables FP&L to pump seepage back into the canal system during the dry season thus reducing the groundwater flow of hypersaline water to the west. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are monitoring a saltwater plume migrating west of FP&L property (FDEP/SFWMD Miami-Dade Saltwater Intrusion Presentation pg 3). Tidal influences have a profound effect on saltwater intrusion, so it is difficult to quantify the influence of the canals on this plume. To ensure that FP&L has no culpability in the contamination of ground water, the cooling canals should either operate at a lower level of salinity or be isolated to restrict flow to underground sources of water. Isolation, however, is not an appealing option as the methods which have been conceptualized are highly invasive. Environmental concerns are abundant as the ecosystem within the cooling canals supports at least 17 protected species of birds and animals of South Florida. Over 25% of the world’s population of the American crocodile resides in the Turkey Point cooling canals. Very few organisms require a hypersaline condition to thrive; therefore, lowering the salt concentration of the canal system is not expected to have adverse effects upon the ecosystem. Careful attention must be paid to ensure wildlife survival during treatment and/or disposal system development and operation.

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