Assessment of Estuarine Water Quality at Fort Matanzas National Monument: 2022 Data Summary

In July 2022, the Southeast Coast Network assessed water-quality in the vicinity of Fort Matanzas National Monument as part of the National Park Service Vital Signs Monitoring Program. Monitoring was conducted following methods developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the National Coastal Assessment Program (EPA 2014). Laboratory analysis measured chlorophyll a and total and dissolved concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous. Field measurements included water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. Water clarity, which requires a Secchi depth measurement, was calculated when possible. All measured parameters were rated as good, fair, or poor based on thresholds set by the EPA (2012). • Water clarity was rated good at four sites (13%), fair at fifteen sites (50%) and poor at eleven sites (37%). • Chlorophyll a concentrations were rated good at thirteen sites (43%) and fair at seventeen sites (57%). • Dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations were good at 28 sites (93%) and fair at two sites (7%). • Dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations were good at one site (3%) and fair at twenty-six sites (87%) and poor at three sites (10%). • Dissolved oxygen concentrations (bottom) were rated good at fifteen sites (50%) and fair at fifteen sites (50%). • A water-quality condition summary index was calculated for each site sampled at Fort Matanzas National Monument based on the categorical assessments of chlorophyll a, DIN and DIP concentrations, dissolved oxygen, and water clarity. This summary index indicated good water-quality conditions at three sites (10%), fair water quality conditions at twenty-four sites (80%) and poor water-quality conditions at three sites (10%). • See supplemental materials to compare the distribution of good, fair, and poor ratings for each parameter across the period of record. • Based on the EPA summary water-quality index rating, overall water-quality conditions near Fort Matanzas National Monument during 2022 sampling were fair. • The EPA summary water-quality index rating is consistent with findings 2012–2017.

Assessment of Estuarine Water Quality at Fort Matanzas National Monument: 2022 Data Summary

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