Regional water quality synthesis for southeast coastal parks

Parman, Jordan; Petrzelka, Jennifer; Williams, Mark

This report presents the results of water quality analyses for national parks along the southeast Atlantic coast. Data from federal, state, and local agencies were used to compare conditions inside parks to conditions beyond park boundaries. Using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assessment criteria, water quality, sediment contamination, and fish tissue contamination were rated “good,” “fair,” or “poor.” Generally, water, sediment, and fish tissue quality were higher inside the parks compared to surrounding areas. Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CAHA) and Cape Lookout National Seashore (CALO) are relatively pristine and water quality at Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) is good. Fort Pulaski National Monument (FOPU), Cumberland Island National Seashore (CUIS), and Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (TIMU) have low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved inorganic phosphorus, and metal contamination in sediment and fish tissues. High concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus occurred throughout the region, inside and outside parks, and a high percentage of sites ranked “poor” in Georgia and Florida estuaries. Point and nonpoint sources of water pollution resulted in elevated chlorophyll a near CALO and TIMU raising concerns about eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations occurred in CUIS and FOPU. There was little sediment contamination and the majority of sediment contaminants ranked “good” throughout the region. Elevated concentrations of arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls were found in fish tissues inside and outside most parks. There was little evidence of mercury contamination at any of the sites. Probabilistic surveys conducted by the EPA and the National Park Service provide a regional overview of water quality. The sampling design allows broad conclusions about the region, but does not measure seasonal variation. This project combined probabilistic surveys with fixed site data, but caution is warranted when comparing results as the objectives of the sampling designs are different. More uniform sampling protocols for all parameters would improve the ability to compare water quality across organizations. None of the shellfish beds (oysters, clams, and mussels) in CAHA and CALO (North Carolina) or in FOPU or CUIS (Georgia) have been closed in recent times. Shellfish beds near TIMU (Florida) have been closed and shellfish beds in and around CANA (Florida) have been classified as “approved,” “conditionally approved,” and “prohibited.” North Carolina had relatively few days when beaches were closed due to elevated levels of enterobacteria and none of the closures occurred at beaches within park boundaries. Georgia had the highest frequency of beach closures, but none of the closures occurred at beaches within park boundaries. The frequency of beach closures in Florida fell between North Carolina and Georgia, but there were no beach closures within park boundaries. There were few significant trends in water quality at the index sites, which was consistent with EPA findings. There was a significantly greater percentage of the coastal area was rated poor for sediment contaminants from 1994-1997 compared to 2000-2002 suggesting that sediment conditions have improved. The most pressing water quality concerns are related to the increasing human population along the southeast coast and development of urban and exurban areas. The broader understanding of water quality issues developed in this project can help park managers identify potential management actions, priority areas for focusing efforts to protect water quality, and areas that require partnerships with other federal, state, and local agencies to address regional problems.

Regional water quality synthesis for southeast coastal parks

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