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Sedimentation, Sea-Level Rise, and Circulation in Florida Bay

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Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: Sedimentation, Sea-Level Rise, and Circulation in Florida Bay
Abstract:
The goal of this project was to document decade- to century- scale processes associated with sediment transport in Florida Bay. The results will quantify the influence of bottom topography on waterquality in the Bay so that sea level and bathymetric change can be integrated with numerical modeling efforts conducted by cooperating agencies.
Supplemental_Information: This project was completed in 2002
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Robert Halley (retired) Ellen Prager (no longer with USGS), 2002, Sedimentation, Sea-Level Rise, and Circulation in Florida Bay.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -81.167
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.33
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.33
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 24.83

  3. What does it look like?

    <http://sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/halley/locationsalt.html> (GIF)
    Florida Bay Salinity Data Location Map

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: Nov-1994
    Ending_Date: Dec-2002
    Currentness_Reference: surface and bottom conditions

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: project

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference: Florida Bay

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Salinity data was collected by R. Halley, K. Ludwig, Kim Yates, Jason Greenwood, Yucong Tuo, Rita Byrd, Hilary Stockton, Heather Mounts, K. Geraghty, B. Remick, R. Peterson, M. Moyle, L. Roulier, D. Wiese, B, Zalew, and Nancy DeWitt. Additional data was provided by the National Park Service, Everglades National Park, and the South Florida Water Managememnt District.

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    David Rudnick
    Everglades Division, South Florida Water Management District
    3301 Gun Club Road
    West Palm Beach, Fl 33407
    USA

    561 682-6561 (voice)
    drudnic@sfwmd.gov

Why was the data set created?

Recent algal blooms and seagrass mortality have raised concerns about the water quality of Florida Bay, particularly its nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorous), hypersalinity, and turbidity. Water quality is closely tied to sediment transport processes because resuspension of sediments increases turbidity, releases stored nutrients, and facilitates sediment export to the reef tract.

The objective of this research is to provide a better understanding of how and when sediments within Florida Bay are resuspended and deposited, to define the spatial distribution of the potential for resuspension, to delineate patterns of potential bathymetric change, and to predict the impacts of storms or seagrass die-off on bathymetry and circulation within the bay. By combining these results with the findings of other research being conducted in Florida Bay, we hope to quantify sediment export from the bay, better define the nutrient input during resuspension events, and assist in modeling circulation and water quality. Results will enable long-term sediment deposition and erosion in various regions of the bay to be integrated with data on the anticipated sea-level rise to predict future water depths and volumes. Results from this project, together with established sediment production rates, will provide the basis for a sediment budget for Florida Bay.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 2002 (process 1 of 1)
    Six interrelated activities were undertaken for this project: 1) core analyses; 2) local sediment elevation surveys; 3) mudbank profiling and surveys; 4) integration of sedimentary analyses with circulation patterns and sea-level history; 5) salinity surveys to document effects of mudbanks on circulation; and 6) measurement of short-term productivity and carbonate precipitation.

    This project integrated results from several other projects in the USGS Place Based Studies and other programs. In particular, the bathymetry, turbidity, sediment transport, lead-210 dating, and ecosystem history projects in the bay both used results from this project and provided information to the project. Additional complimentary information was provided by the Marine and Coastal Program project "Sedimentation and water quality in Florida Bay" that provided funding for determining past salinity from geochemical analyses of fossil mollusks as part of a cooperative with the South Florida Water Management District.

    Five of the six activities were designed to provide measures of sedimentation or erosion on mudbanks, the sixth activity documents the influence of mudbanks on water salinity. 1) Coring: Cores taken for this and other projects were x-rayed and some provided measurable sections of sediment above known (dated) horizons. These provided an average sedimentation rate based on the age of the horizon. 2) Pb-210 dating: A few cores were suitable for lead-210 dating from which an average sedimentation rate was calculated. The lead-210 method has the advantage of providing a continuous record of sedimentation rates during the last century with a resolution of a few years. However, there are only a few sites in the Bay that are suitable for analyses. 3) Sedimentation site monitoring: Fifteen local sediment survey stations were established in the bay. These were driven to bedrock and provided platforms for seasonal sediment elevation measurements accurate to a few millimeters. Five are in the eastern bay, five in the central bay, and five in the western bay. 4) Bank profiles: Each group of five survey stations is arranged in a transact across a mudbank. Repeated precision profiling across each mudbank will provide a multi-year record of sediment erosion or accretion on the bank and allow the data from individual survey stations, cores, and marker horizon sites to be placed in context of bank-wide patterns. Sedimentation rates provide basic data for determining long-term accumulation/erosion patterns and subsequent volume changes in the bay as a result of sea- level rise. 5) Salinity surveys: Salinity maps, produced semi monthly, illustrate the influence of mudbanks on circulation. The contours of salinity, constructed from bay-wide surveys, show conformity with the banks and often coincide with the banks. Turbid and algal bloom regions, monitored by other agencies, are also confined by shallow banks. 6) Productivity and calcification measurements: The measurements of the short-term productivity and carbonate precipitation provided the data necessary for a comparison of current sedimentation rates with long-term sediment accumulation measured by lead-210 dating and elevation surveys from the project. Three measures of water quality (salinity, turbidity and chlorophyll) indicate that the mudbanks are a dominant control on circulation. Understanding mudbank dynamics is critical to predicting future water quality of the Bay.

    Productivity measurements in Florida Bay, including calcification and net photosynthesis, were performed using geochemical techniques that have proven successful for measuring production in carbonate reef and seagrass bed ecosystems (Smith 1973, Barnes 1983, Barnes and Devereux 1984, Frankignoulle and Disteche 1984, Gattuso et al. 1993). These measurements were used to provide insight into the discrepancy between long-term sediment accumulation rates (Stockman et. al,. 1967) and short-term production measurements (Bosence, 1989). Total alkalinity, pH, calcium concentrations, salinity, irradiance, temperature, wind and current speed, and air-sea CO2 and O2 fluxes were measured along transects across carbonate mud banks in Florida Bay. Transects were located parallel to unidirectional current flow across a given bank. Sample stations along each transect were positioned at the upstream, middle, and downstream ends of each transect. Geochemical and physical parameters were measured at each station along a transect at different times (and irradiances) during the day.

    Total alkalinity and pH were used to calculate calcification and net photosynthesis using the alkalinity anomaly technique of Smith and Key (1975) such that calcification (C) = half the change in total alkalinity, and net photosynthesis (P) = total carbon-calcification. Total carbon was calculated using carbonate system equations from Millero (1979). Calcium measurements provided an independent measure of calcification for comparison. Air-sea CO2 fluxes were measured directly at each station inside of a floating bell (Sugiura et al. 1963, Frankignoulle and Disteche 1984, Frankignoulle 1988, Gattuso et al. 1993, Kayanne et al. 1995) using the procedure and calculations of Frankignoulle (1988). Air-sea O2 fluxes were determined by measuring atmospheric and water O2 and calculating fluxes as described in Wanninkhof (1992). Differences in oxygen and carbon metabolism between upstream and downstream stations will be corrected for O2 and CO2 exchange with the atmosphere as described in (Gattuso et al., 1993).

    Productivity and metabolic rates per unit area were calculated using the difference in concentration between upstream and downstream stations, the volume of water transported along a transect, and the transect area such that the change in concentration of a parameter (dC/m2/s) = C/m3 x m3/hr)/m2 (Barnes and Devereux, 1984). Productivity data from multiple transects in Florida Bay were used to estimate daily production rates for Florida Bay. Comparison of these data with previous productivity estimates and sediment accumulation rates will indicate whether discrepancies between production and accumulation rates are due to measurement and calculation techniques or to some real change in the productivity of the Bay.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    David Rudnick
    Everglades Division, South Florida Water Management District
    3301 Gun Club Road
    West Palm Beach, Fl 33407
    USA

    561 682-6561 (voice)
    drudnic@sfwmd.gov

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

    Boscence, D., 1989, Biogenic carbonate production in Florida Bay: Bulletin of Marine Science v. 44, n. 1, p 419-433, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/7/2011

    The full article is available free from the website below.

    Frankignoulle, M., 1988, Field Measurements of air-sea CO2 exchange: Limnology and Oceanography v. 33, n.3, p. 313-322, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Washington, D.C..

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available free from the website below.

    Millero, F. J., 1979, The thermodynamics of the carbonate system in seawater: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta v. 43, n. 10, p. 1651-1661, Geochemical Society (Elsevier Science Ltd.), Oxon, United Kingdom.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Stockman, K. W. Ginsburg, R. N.; Shinn, E. , 1967, The production of lime mud by algae in South Florida: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology v. 37, n. 2., p. 633-648, S E P M Society for Sedimentary Geology, Tulsa, OK.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Sugiura, Y. Ibert, E. R.; Hood, D. W., 1963, Mass transfer of carbon dioxide across sea surfaces: Journal of Marine Research v. 21, n. 1, p. 11-24, Sears Foundation for Marine Research, New Haven, CT.

    Wanninkhof, R., 1992, Relationship between wind speed and gas exchange over the ocean: Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans v. 97, n. C5, p. 7373-7382, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Halley, Robert Smith, Dewitt; Hansen, Mark, 1995, Surface Salinity of Florida Bay: USGS Open-File Reports 95-634, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: accessed as of 6/13/2011
    Halley, Robert Smith, Dewitt; Hansen, Mark, 1998, Florida Bay Surface Salinities: USGS Open-File Reports 98-142, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: accesssed as of 6/13/2011
    Barnes, D. J., 1983, Profiling coral reef productivity and calcification using pH and oxygen electrodes: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology v. 66, n. 2, p. 149-161, Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Barnes, D. J. Devereux, M. J., 1984, Productivity and calcification on a coral reef: a survey using pH and oxygen electrode techniques: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology v. 79, n. 3, p. 213-231, Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Frankignoulle, M. Disteche, A., 1984, CO2 chemistry in the water column above a Posidonia seagrass bed and related air-sea exchanges: Oceanologica Acta v. 7, n. 2, p. 209-219, Institute Franceis de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, Paris, France.

    Gattuso, J. P. Pichon, M.; Delesalle, B.; , 1993, Community metabolism and air-sea CO2 fluxes in a coral reef ecosystem (Moorea, French Polynesia): Marine Ecology Progress Series v. 96, p. 259-267, Inter-Research, Oldendorf, Germany.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: accessed as of 6/13/2011
    Kayanne, H. Suzuki, A.; Saito, H., 1995, Diurnal changes in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in coral reef water: Science v. 269, n. 5221, p. 214-216, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The full article is available via journal subscription or single article purchase. The abstract may be viewed on the website below.

    Smith, S. V., 1973, Carbon dioxide dynamics: a record of organic carbon production, respiration, and calcification in the Eniwetok reef flat community: Limnology and Oceanography v. 18, n. , p. 106-120, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Washington, DC.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: accessed as of 6/13/2011
    Prager, E. J. Halley, R. B., 1999, The influence of seagrass on shell layers and Florida Bay mudbanks: Journal of Coastal Research v. 15, n. 4, 1151-1162, Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF), Fort Lauderdale, FL.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    accessed as of 6/13/2011

    The first page of the article is available online on the website below. The full article is available via journal subscription, single article purchase, or a participating institution.

    Smith, S. V. Key, G. S., 1975, Carbon dioxide and metabolism in marine environments: Limnology and Oceanography v. 20, n. 3, p. 493-495, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Washington, D.C..

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: accessed as of 6/13/2011

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Local information was recorded in the Bay using a Department of the Interior-issued military style GPS unit - Rockwell Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver PLGR+96 with a precision of +/- 10m.

    Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    not applicable

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints: none

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 4)

    Heather S. Henkel
    U.S. Geological Survey
    600 Fourth St. South
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    USA

    727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
    727 803-2030 (FAX)
    hhenkel@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Florida Bay Salinity Data

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The data have no implied or explicit guarantees

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 4)

    Heather S. Henkel
    U.S. Geological Survey
    600 Fourth St. South
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    USA

    727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
    727 803-2030 (FAX)
    hhenkel@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Florida Bay bottom types map

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The data have no implied or explicit guarantees

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 3 of 4)

    Heather S. Henkel
    U.S. Geological Survey
    600 Fourth St. South
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    USA

    727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
    727 803-2030 (FAX)
    hhenkel@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Florida Bay Surface maps

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The data have no warranties explicit or implied

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 4 of 4)

    Heather S. Henkel
    U.S. Geological Survey
    600 Fourth St. South
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    USA

    727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
    727 803-2030 (FAX)
    hhenkel@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Florida Bay Air:Sea Carbon Dioxide Exchange maps

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    No warrantees are implied or explicit for the data

  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 13-Jun-2011
Metadata author:
Heather Henkel
U.S. Geological Survey
600 Fourth Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
USA

727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
727 803-2030 (FAX)
sofia-metadata@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

This page is <http://sofia.usgs.gov/metadata/sflwww/RHsedsal.faq.html>

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster
Generated by mp version 2.8.18 on Mon Jun 13 16:44:18 2011