Assessment of estuarine water quality at Fort Matanzas National Monument: 2022 data summary

Starkey, Eric

doi:10.36967/2308377

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). The purpose of this document is to report the most recently collected data from the monument as part of an ongoing long-term water-quality monitoring program. This report was designed to provide water-quality monitoring data to managers as a concise summary in the context of applicable federal standards developed by the EPA. Previous synoptic assessments of water-quality conditions at Fort Matanzas National Monument were conducted in July 2012, and August 2017 as part of I&M monitoring efforts. Based on the EPA summary water-quality index rating, overall water-quality conditions near Fort Matanzas National Monument during 2022 sampling were fair. The summary water-quality index rating for overall water-quality conditions is consistent with findings 2012–2017.

Assessment of estuarine water quality at Fort Matanzas National Monument: 2022 data summary

Series

See also

Collections