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Thesis
Spatial and Temporal Variability in Water Quality in Three Urbanized Bayous of the Pensacola Bay System, Escambia County, Florida, USA
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2019
Abstract
Anthropogenic influence from urbanization affects the health of estuaries all over the world. Three urbanized bayous in the Pensacola Bay System (Bayou Texar, Bayou Chico, and Bayou Grande) are estuarine systems affected by their surrounding watersheds. Land use in Bayou Texar's watershed is mainly residential properties. Bayou Chico's lower watershed is mainly industrial, while the upper watershed is residential. In Bayou Grande, one shoreline is home to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, and the other shoreline is residential. This study examined spatial and temporal variability of water quality in these systems. Comparison of bimonthly samples with historical data provided a perspective of how water quality has changed and responded to urbanization in these systems. High nutrients and chlorophyll were observed in Bayou Chico and Bayou Texar. Seasonal variation in nutrients was smaller than expected. Mixing curves of nutrients showed non-conservative mixing reflecting spatially distributed sources and sinks. DIN to DIP ratios showed that phosphorus was the limiting nutrient in Bayous Chico and Texar, whereas in Bayou Grande there was a seasonal change in nutrient limitation from nitrogen to phosphorus. Warm temperatures, and high light availability, make these urban bayous susceptible to eutrophication.
Details
- Title
- Spatial and Temporal Variability in Water Quality in Three Urbanized Bayous of the Pensacola Bay System, Escambia County, Florida, USA
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 67
- Copyright
- © 2023 Tiffany Santiago
- Identifiers
- 99380090720806600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida