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U.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida

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U.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida U.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida By Melinda A. Wolfert-Lohmann, Christian D. Langevin, Sonya A. Jones, Chris D. Reich, Georgiana L. Wingard, Ilsa B. Kuffner, and Kevin J. Cunningham Open-File Report 2007-1288 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2008 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Wolfert-Lohmann, M.A., Langevin, C.D., Jones, S.A., and others, 2008, U.S. Geological Survey Science Support Strategy for Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1288, 48 p. iii Contents 1.0 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................1 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1 2.1 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................3 3.0 Description of Biscayne National Park and Surrounding Areas in Southeastern Florida ...........3 3.1 Ecosystem .....................................................................................................................................3 3.1.1 History ................................................................................................................................5 3.1.2 Function .............................................................................................................................5 3.2 Hydrology ....................................................................................................................................11 3.2.1 Surface Water ................................................................................................................11 3.2.2 Ground Water .................................................................................................................11 3.2.3 Water Quality ..................................................................................................................14 3.3 Socioeconomic Conditions .........................................................................................................18 4.0 U.S. Geological Survey Research Issues and Needs ...................................................................19 4.1 Ecosystem Stresses...................................................................................................................19 4.2 Water Deliveries .........................................................................................................................20 4.3 Contaminants ..............................................................................................................................21 4.4 Database and Geographic Information System Issues .......................................................22 5.0 Current or Recently Completed Studies in and around Biscayne National Park .................................................................................................................................22 6.0 Potential U.S. Geological Survey Research Projects in and around Biscayne National Park .................................................................................................................................35 6.1 Ecosystem Stresses ..................................................................................................................36 6.2 Water Deliveries ........................................................................................................................41 6.3 Contaminants ..............................................................................................................................43 6.4 Database and Geographic Information System Issues .......................................................45 7.0 References Cited .................................................................................................................................46 Figures 1. Map showing location of Biscayne National Park in southeastern Florida ...................................4 2. Map showing location of core sites in Biscayne Bay, Florida ..........................................................6 3. Graphs showing percent abundance of key molluscan salinity indicators in Middle Key core segments from the nearshore area of Card Sound ...................................................................7 4. Graphs showing percent abundance of key salinity indicator species in No Name Bank core segment from central Biscayne Bay and magnesium-calcium ratios derived from ostracod shells .......................................................................................................8 5. Schematic showing infrared changes in Biscayne Bay salinity in recent centuries based on indicators from cores between Card Bank and central Biscayne Bay .........................9 6. Cross section showing relations of geologic formations, aquifers, and semipermeable units of the surficial aquifer system across central Miami-Dade County ....................................13 7. Diagram showing relation between pore classes I and III and touching-vug and conduit-pore types, respectively, for the Fort Thompson Formation and Miami Limestone in the Lake Belt area of Miami-Dade County .................................................................15 8. Diagram showing relation between pore class II and matrix porosity ..........................................16 9. Diagram showing three-dimensional conceptual hydrogeologic model of the Biscayne aquifer for the Lake Belt area in north-central Miami-Dade County ....................17 iv Photographs 1. Red mangrove in Biscayne Bay............................................................................................................2 2. H-alicia shipwreck ..................................................................................................................................3 3. Biscayne Bay mangroves near Black Point .......................................................................................7 4. Seagrass in Biscayne Bay.....................................................................................................................9 5. Biscayne National Park patch reef ....................................................................................................10 6. Montstrea cavernosa infected with black band disease ..............................................................10 7. Sea fan (Gorgonia sp.) in Biscayne Bay ...........................................................................................12 8. Sponge (unidentified) in Biscayne Bay .............................................................................................12 9. Alina’s Reef drilling in Biscayne National Park ................................................................................16 10. Scientist/diver collecting pore-water samples at Alina’s Reef, Biscayne National Park.........18 11. Alina’s Reef in Biscayne Bay ..............................................................................................................20 12. Water sampling syringe and mini-piezometer used for collection of reef sediment pore waters ...........................................................................................................................................21 13. Monitoring wells located on Alina’s Reef .........................................................................................21 v Conversion Factors and Vertical Datum Multiply By To obtain centimeter 0.3937 inch (in.) meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) meter per day (m/d) 3.281 foot per day (ft/d) kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi) hectare (ha) 2.471 acre square meter (m2) 10.76 square foot (ft2) cubic meter (m3) 264.2 gallon (gal) cubic decimeter (dm3) 0.2642 gallon (gal) cubic meter (m3) 0.0002642 million gallons (Mgal) liter per minute (L/min) 0.2642 gallon per minute (gal/min) Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: °F = (1.8 × °C) + 32. Vertical coordinate information is referenced to National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29). Acronyms and Abbreviations AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer CERP Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan CUES Comprehensive Urban Ecosystems Studies DERM Department of Environmental Resources Management EAARL Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar EPOC emerging pollutants of concern GIS Geographic
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