The ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico resources from Perdido Key to Port St. Joe, Florida: Part II near-shelf coastal resources |
| |
Authors: | Lisa M Smith James E Harvey Linda C Harwell J Kevin Summers |
| |
Institution: | (1) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, USA |
| |
Abstract: | In 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Division initiated a pilot study to assess the condition
of nearshore coastal resources. Near-shelf areas associated with coastal beaches are susceptible to land based activities,
but are not consistently monitored. Additionally, few or no marine water quality criteria exist for evaluating these waters.
The goal of this pilot study was to assess the ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico near-shelf resources using a probability-based
survey design. Data are used to generate a baseline assessment of condition in coastal nearshore areas and provide a comparative
tool for evaluating future trends in condition. Water quality, sediment quality and benthic diversity data can provide a baseline
assessment for managers to evaluate the potential for future problems such as nutrient over-enrichment, sediment contamination
and degraded biological condition. We present results from a probability-based survey demonstration assessing near-shelf resources
along the Florida panhandle. |
| |
Keywords: | Benthic communities Gulf of Mexico Monitoring Near-shelf resources Sediment quality Water quality |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|