Water Quality in the Near Coastal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Affected by Hurricane Katrina: Before and After the Storm |
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Authors: | Lisa M Smith John M Macauley Linda C Harwell Cynthia A Chancy |
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Institution: | (1) Gulf Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA |
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Abstract: | Water quality was assessed following Hurricane Katrina in the affected waters of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Post-landfall
water quality was compared to pre-hurricane conditions using indicators assessed by EPA’s National Coastal Assessment program
and additional indicators of contaminants in water and pathogens. Water quality data collected after Hurricane Katrina suggest
that the coastal waters affected by the storm exhibited higher salinity and concentrations of chlorophyll a, dissolved inorganic phosphorus, and total suspended solids following the storm compared to the previous 5-year averages.
Higher bottom dissolved oxygen concentrations and light attenuation were also observed. Contaminant concentrations measured
in the water column were very low or undetectable, as were the presence of pathogens. Overall water quality did not significantly
differ from water quality assessed in the five years preceding the storm. Statistical analyses indicate that use of a probabilistic
survey design is appropriate for making pre-storm and post storm comparisons for water quality condition on an areal basis.
The information in this article has been funded wholly (or in part) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been
subjected to review by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory and approved for publication. Approval
does not signify that the contents reflect the views of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. This is contribution number 1280 from the Gulf Ecology Division. |
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Keywords: | Alabama Assessment Coastal waters Estuaries Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Mississippi Probabilistic survey Water quality |
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