Florida Envirothon Study Packet Aquatic Section Contents CONTENTS WATER CYCLE FACTS .............................................................................................................. 1 The Hydrologic Cycle......................................................................................................... 1 AQUIFER FACTS......................................................................................................................... 5 Classification ........................................................................................................................ 5 Recharge .............................................................................................................................. 5 Shallow Aquifer................................................................................................................... 6 Deep Aquifer........................................................................................................................ 6 Major Florida Aquifers ....................................................................................................... 7 Human Impacts ................................................................................................................... 8 Management Techniques ................................................................................................... 9 RIVER SYSTEM FACTS ............................................................................................................ 11 River Features .................................................................................................................... 11 Riparian Habitat ................................................................................................................ 13 Other Aquatic Habitats..................................................................................................... 14 Human Impacts ................................................................................................................. 15 WATERSHED FACTS ............................................................................................................... 17 Stream Orders....................................................................................................................17 Streamflow ......................................................................................................................... 18 Factors Affecting Watersheds.......................................................................................... 18 Management Considerations........................................................................................... 21 Management Techniques ................................................................................................. 26 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 27 WETLAND FACTS ....................................................................................................................29 Common Characteristics .................................................................................................. 29 Coastal Wetlands............................................................................................................... 31 Freshwater Wetlands ........................................................................................................ 33 Wetland Functions and Values ....................................................................................... 34 Human Impacts ................................................................................................................. 35 Management Options ....................................................................................................... 36 STORMWATER FACTS ............................................................................................................ 37 Soil .................................................................................................................................. 37 Vegetation........................................................................................................................... 37 iii Florida Envirothon Study Packet — Aquatic Section Slope .................................................................................................................................... 37 Orientation of the Land .................................................................................................... 38 Sources of Pollution .......................................................................................................... 38 Types of Pollution ............................................................................................................. 39 Management Alternatives................................................................................................ 41 WATER QUALITY FACTS ....................................................................................................... 43 Dissolved Oxygen ............................................................................................................. 43 Biochemical Oxygen Demand ......................................................................................... 46 Fecal Coliform.................................................................................................................... 47 pH ........................................................................................................................................ 48 Temperature....................................................................................................................... 49 Nutrients............................................................................................................................. 50 Total Solids......................................................................................................................... 51 Turbidity............................................................................................................................. 52 Properties of Water ........................................................................................................... 53 BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE FACTS ....................................................................................... 55 Organisms Monitored....................................................................................................... 55 Management Techniques ................................................................................................. 57 MARINE/COASTAL FACTS................................................................................................... 65 Coastal Areas ..................................................................................................................... 65 Seawater.............................................................................................................................. 67 Estuaries.............................................................................................................................. 67 Salt Marshes ....................................................................................................................... 68 Mangroves.......................................................................................................................... 70 Marine and Coastal Impacts............................................................................................ 72 Supplemental Facts Section ............................................................................................. 73 WATER CONSERVATION FACTS......................................................................................... 75 Background ........................................................................................................................ 75 Water Management Districts........................................................................................... 75 Conservation...................................................................................................................... 76 Alternative Sources........................................................................................................... 78 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 81 GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................. 83 iv Water Cycle Facts WATER CYCLE FACTS Most freshwater in Florida comes from rainfall within the state, recharging the vast Floridan aquifer system. This aquifer system plays a unique and valuable role in the cycle of our water resources. THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE The phrase hydrologic cycle describes the circulation and distribution of water on the surface of the land, underground and in the air. There are five basic processes in the hydrologic cycle. These can occur at the same time and, except for rainfall, happen continuously: • Condensation • Precipitation • Runoff • Evapotranspiration • Infiltration Condensation The first process is condensation, visible in the form of Florida’s often spectacular cloud formations. Water vapor in the air condenses to form droplets that eventually merge and fall as rain. Precipitation Precipitation in Florida most often occurs in the form of rain. There is no “normal” amount of rain. In most years we get either more or less than