Assessment of estuarine water quality at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve: 2023 data summary

Starkey, Eric

doi:10.36967/2308820

In July 2023. the Southeast Coast Network assessed water-quality at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve 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 Preserve 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 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve were conducted in July 2008, August 2013, and July 2018 as part of I&M monitoring efforts. Based on the summary water-quality index rating, overall water-quality conditions at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve during 2023 sampling were fair. The summary water-quality index rating for overall water-quality conditions is consistent with findings in 2008 and 2013, and an improvement from a poor rating in 2018.

Assessment of estuarine water quality at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve: 2023 data summary

Series

Collections