U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Circular 1207

Water Quality in Southern Florida

Summary

Intro to S Florida NAWQA Study Unit

Major Findings

Study Unit Design

Glossary

References

Appendix

PDF version

For a complete view of Southern Florida data and for additional information about specific benchmarks used, visit our Web site at http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/summaryreports (Note: the site has moved to http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html). Also visit the NAWQA Data Warehouse for access to NAWQA data sets at http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/wdbctx/nawqa/nawqa.home.

This appendix is a summary of chemical concentrations and biological indicators assessed in Southern Florida. Selected results for this Study Unit are graphically compared to results from as many as 36 NAWQA Study Units investigated from 1991 to 1998 and to national water-quality benchmarks for human health, aquatic life, or fish-eating wildlife. The chemical and biological indicators shown were selected on the basis of frequent detection, detection at concentrations above a national benchmark, or regulatory or scientific importance. The graphs illustrate how conditions associated with each land use sampled in Southern Florida compare to results from across the Nation, and how conditions compare among the several land uses. Graphs for chemicals show only detected concentrations and, thus, care must be taken to evaluate detection frequencies in addition to concentrations when comparing study-unit and national results. For example, norflurazon concentrations in Southern Florida ground water in agricultural areas were similar to the national distribution, but the detection frequency was much higher (72 percent compared to 2 percent).

Pesticides in water—Herbicides

Other herbicides detected Alachlor (Lasso, Bronco, Lariat, Bullet) ** Benfluralin (Balan, Benefin, Bonalan) * ** Bentazon (Basagran, Bentazone) ** Butylate (Sutan +, Genate Plus, Butilate) ** Cyanazine (Bladex, Fortrol) DCPA (Dacthal, chlorthal-dimethyl) * ** Dicamba (Banvel, Dianat, Scotts Proturf) 2,6-Diethylaniline (Metabolite of Alachlor) * ** EPTC (Eptam, Farmarox, Alirox) * ** Fenuron (Fenulon, Fenidim) * ** Linuron (Lorox, Linex, Sarclex, Linurex, Afalon) * Metribuzin (Lexone, Sencor) Napropamide (Devrinol) * ** Prometon (Pramitol, Princep) ** Pronamide (Kerb, Propyzamid) ** Propanil (Stam, Stampede, Wham) * ** Terbacil (Sinbar) ** Triclopyr (Garlon, Grandstand, Redeem, Remedy) * ** Herbicides not detected Acetochlor (Harness Plus, Surpass) * ** Acifluorfen (Blazer, Tackle 2S) ** Bromoxynil (Buctril, Brominal) * Chloramben (Amiben, Amilon-WP, Vegiben) ** Clopyralid (Stinger, Lontrel, Transline) * ** 2,4-DB (Butyrac, Butoxone, Embutox Plus, Embutone) * ** Dacthal mono-acid (Dacthal metabolite) * ** Dichlorprop (2,4-DP, Seritox 50, Lentemul) * ** Dinoseb (Dinosebe) Ethalfluralin (Sonalan, Curbit) * ** Fluometuron (Flo-Met, Cotoran) ** MCPA (Rhomene, Rhonox, Chiptox) MCPB (Thistrol) * ** Molinate (Ordram) * ** Neburon (Neburea, Neburyl, Noruben) * ** Oryzalin (Surflan, Dirimal) * ** Pebulate (Tillam, PEBC) * ** Pendimethalin (Pre-M, Prowl, Stomp) * ** Picloram (Grazon, Tordon) Propachlor (Ramrod, Satecid) ** Propham (Tuberite) ** 2,4,5-T ** 2,4,5-TP (Silvex, Fenoprop) ** Thiobencarb (Bolero, Saturn, Benthiocarb) * ** Triallate (Far-Go, Avadex BW, Tri-allate) * Trifluralin (Treflan, Gowan, Tri-4, Trific)

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Pesticides in water—Insecticides

Other insecticides detected Carbofuran (Furadan, Curaterr, Yaltox) Chlorpyrifos (Brodan, Dursban, Lorsban) Dieldrin (Panoram D-31, Octalox, Compound 497) Ethoprop (Mocap, Ethoprophos) * ** Malathion (Malathion) Methomyl (Lanox, Lannate, Acinate) ** Methyl parathion (Penncap-M, Folidol-M) ** Propoxur (Baygon, Blattanex, Unden, Proprotox) * ** Insecticides not detected Aldicarb (Temik, Ambush, Pounce) Aldicarb sulfone (Standak, aldoxycarb) Aldicarb sulfoxide (Aldicarb metabolite) Azinphos-methyl (Guthion, Gusathion M) * Diazinon (Basudin, Diazatol, Neocidol, Knox Out) Disulfoton (Disyston, Di-Syston) ** Fonofos (Dyfonate, Capfos, Cudgel, Tycap) ** alpha-HCH (alpha-BHC, alpha-lindane) ** gamma-HCH (Lindane, gamma-BHC) 3-Hydroxycarbofuran (Carbofuran metabolite) * ** Methiocarb (Slug-Geta, Grandslam, Mesurol) * ** Oxamyl (Vydate L, Pratt) ** Parathion (Roethyl-P, Alkron, Panthion, Phoskil) * cis-Permethrin (Ambush, Astro, Pounce) * ** Phorate (Thimet, Granutox, Geomet, Rampart) * ** Propargite (Comite, Omite, Ornamite) * ** Terbufos (Contraven, Counter, Pilarfox) **

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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ground water These graphs represent data from 16 Study Units, sampled from 1994–98 [larger image] 1 Many of the samples in this study were diluted prior to laboratory analysis and therefore the actual detection frequency may be larger than the value listed.

Other VOCs detected tert-Amylmethylether ( tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME)) * Benzene Bromochloromethane (Methylene chlorobromide) Bromodichloromethane (Dichlorobromomethane) 2-Butanone (Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)) * Carbon disulfide * 1-Chloro-2-methylbenzene ( o-Chlorotoluene) Chlorobenzene (Monochlorobenzene) Chlorodibromomethane (Dibromochloromethane) Chloromethane (Methyl chloride) Dibromomethane (Methylene dibromide) * 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (m-Dichlorobenzene) 1,4-Dichlorobenzene ( p-Dichlorobenzene) Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC 12, Freon 12) 1,1-Dichloroethane (Ethylidene dichloride) * 1,1-Dichloroethene (Vinylidene chloride) trans-1,2-Dichloroethene ((E)-1,2-Dichlorothene) cis-1,2-Dichloroethene ((Z)-1,2-Dichloroethene) Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride) 1,2-Dichloropropane (Propylene dichloride) Diethyl ether (Ethyl ether) * 1,2-Dimethylbenzene ( o-Xylene) 1,3 & 1,4-Dimethylbenzene (m-& p -Xylene) 1-4-Epoxy butane (Tetrahydrofuran, Diethylene oxide) * Ethylbenzene (Phenylethane) p-Isopropyltoluene ( p-Cymene) * 4-Methyl-2-pentanone (Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)) * Methylbenzene (Toluene) Naphthalene 2-Propanone (Acetone) * Tetrachloroethene (Perchloroethene) Tribromomethane (Bromoform) 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (Freon 113) * Trichloroethene (TCE) Trichloromethane (Chloroform) 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (Pseudocumene) * VOCs not detected Bromobenzene (Phenyl bromide) * Bromoethene (Vinyl bromide) * Bromomethane ( Methyl bromide) n-Butylbenzene (1-Phenylbutane) * sec-Butylbenzene * tert-Butylbenzene * 3-Chloro-1-propene (3-Chloropropene) * 1-Chloro-4-methylbenzene ( p-Chlorotoluene) Chloroethane (Ethyl chloride) * 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP, Nemagon) 1,2-Dibromoethane (Ethylene dibromide, EDB) trans-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene ((Z)-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene) * 1,2-Dichlorobenzene ( o-Dichlorobenzene) 1,2-Dichloroethane (Ethylene dichloride) 2,2-Dichloropropane * 1,3-Dichloropropane (Trimethylene dichloride) * trans-1,3-Dichloropropene ((E)-1,3-Dichloropropene) cis-1,3-Dichloropropene ((Z)-1,3-Dichloropropene) 1,1-Dichloropropene * Diisopropyl ether (Diisopropylether (DIPE)) * Ethenylbenzene (Styrene) Ethyl methacrylate * Ethyl tert-butyl ether (Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE)) * 1-Ethyl-2-methylbenzene (2-Ethyltoluene) * Hexachlorobutadiene 1,1,1,2,2,2-Hexachloroethane (Hexachloroethane) 2-Hexanone (Methyl butyl ketone (MBK)) * Iodomethane (Methyl iodide) * Isopropylbenzene (Cumene) * Methyl acrylonitrile * Methyl-2-methacrylate (Methyl methacrylate) * Methyl-2-propenoate (Methyl acrylate) * 2-Propenenitrile (Acrylonitrile) n-Propylbenzene (Isocumene) * 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane * 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane Tetrachloromethane (Carbon tetrachloride) 1,2,3,4-Tetramethylbenzene (Prehnitene) * 1,2,3,5-Tetramethylbenzene (Isodurene) * 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene * 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methylchloroform) 1,1,2-Trichloroethane (Vinyl trichloride) Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC 11, Freon 11) 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (Allyl trichloride) 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene (Hemimellitene) * 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene (Mesitylene) *

Nutrients in water
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Dissolved solids in water

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Trace elements in ground water	Other trace elements detected Lead Selenium Zinc Trace elements not detected Cadmium
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CHEMICALS IN FISH TISSUE AND BED SEDIMENT Concentrations and detection frequencies, Southern Florida, 1996–98— Detection sensitivity varies among chemicals and, thus, frequencies are not directly comparable among chemicals. Study-unit frequencies of detection are based on small sample sizes; the applicable sample size is specified in each graph Detected concentration in Study Unit 66 38 Frequencies of detection, in percent. Detection frequencies were not censored at any common reporting limit. The left-hand column is the study-unit frequency and the right-hand column is the national frequency -- Not measured or sample size less than two 12 Study-unit sample size National ranges of concentrations detected, by land use, in 36 NAWQA Study Units, 1991–98— Ranges include only samples in which a chemical was detected [larger image] National benchmarks for fish tissue and bed sediment National benchmarks include standards and guidelines related to criteria for protection of the health of fish-eating wildlife and aquatic organisms. Sources include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other Federal and state agencies, and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Protection of fish-eating wildlife (applies to fish tissue) Protection of aquatic life (applies to bed sediment) * No benchmark for protection of fish-eating wildlife ** No benchmark for protection of aquatic life

Organochlorines in fish tissue (whole body) and bed sediment

Other organochlorines detected Dieldrin+aldrin (sum of dieldrin and aldrin) ** Endosulfan I (alpha-Endosulfan, Thiodan) * ** Mirex (Dechlorane) ** Organochlorines not detected Chloroneb (Chloronebe, Demosan) * ** DCPA (Dacthal, chlorthal-dimethyl) * ** Endrin (Endrine) gamma-HCH (Lindane, gamma-BHC, Gammexane) * total-HCH (sum of alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and delta-HCH) ** Heptachlor epoxide (Heptachlor metabolite) * Heptachlor+heptachlor epoxide (sum of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide) ** Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) ** Isodrin (Isodrine, Compound 711) * ** p,p'-Methoxychlor (Marlate, methoxychlore) * ** o,p'-Methoxychlor * ** Pentachloroanisole (PCA) * ** cis-Permethrin (Ambush, Astro, Pounce) * ** trans-Permethrin (Ambush, Astro, Pounce) * ** Toxaphene (Camphechlor, Hercules 3956) * **

[larger image] [larger image] 2 The national detection frequencies for total PCB in sediment are biased low because about 30 percent of samples nationally had elevated detection levels compared to this Study Unit. See http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/summaryreports for additional information (Note: the site has moved to http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html).

Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in bed sediment

Other SVOCs detected Acenaphthene Acenaphthylene Acridine ** Anthracene Benz[ a]anthracene Benzo[ a]pyrene Benzo[ b]fluoranthene ** Benzo[ ghi]perylene ** Benzo[ k]fluoranthene ** Butylbenzylphthalate ** Chrysene p-Cresol ** Di- n-butylphthalate ** Di- n-octylphthalate ** Dibenz[ a,h]anthracene Diethylphthalate ** 1,6-Dimethylnaphthalene ** Dimethylphthalate ** 9 H-Fluorene (Fluorene) Indeno[1,2,3- cd]pyrene ** 1-Methyl-9 H-fluorene ** 2-Methylanthracene ** 4,5-Methylenephenanthrene ** 1-Methylphenanthrene ** 1-Methylpyrene ** Naphthalene Phenanthrene Phenanthridine ** Pyrene 2,3,6-Trimethylnaphthalene ** SVOCs not detected C8-Alkylphenol ** Azobenzene ** Benzo[ c]cinnoline ** 2,2-Biquinoline ** 4-Bromophenyl-phenylether ** 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol ** bis(2-Chloroethoxy)methane ** 2-Chloronaphthalene ** 2-Chlorophenol ** 4-Chlorophenyl-phenylether ** 1,2-Dichlorobenzene ( o-Dichlorobenzene) ** 1,3-Dichlorobenzene (m-Dichlorobenzene) ** 1,4-Dichlorobenzene ( p-Dichlorobenzene) ** 1,2-Dimethylnaphthalene ** 3,5-Dimethylphenol ** 2,4-Dinitrotoluene ** 2-Ethylnaphthalene ** Isophorone ** Isoquinoline ** Nitrobenzene ** N-Nitrosodi- n-propylamine ** N-Nitrosodiphenylamine ** Pentachloronitrobenzene ** Quinoline ** 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene **

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Trace elements in fish tissue (livers) and bed sediment
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BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS Higher national scores suggest habitat disturbance, water-quality degradation, or naturally harsh conditions. The status of algae, invertebrates (insects, worms, and clams), and fish provide a record of water-quality and stream conditions that water-chemistry indicators may not reveal. Algal status focuses on the changes in the percentage of certain algae in response to increasing siltation, and it often correlates with higher nutrient concentrations in some regions. Invertebrate status averages 11 metrics that summarize changes in richness, tolerance, trophic conditions, and dominance associated with water-quality degradation. Fish status sums the scores of four fish metrics (percent tolerant, omnivorous, nonnative individuals, and percent individuals with external anomalies) that increase in association with water-quality degradation Biological Indicator value, Southern Florida, by land use, 1996–98 Biological status assessed at a site National ranges of biological indicators, in 36 NAWQA Study Units, 1994–98 Streams in undeveloped areas Streams in agricultural areas Streams in urban areas Streams in mixed-land-use areas 75th percentile 25th percentile

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