Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5238

2008

Prepared in cooperation with
National Park Service


Assessment of Water-Quality Monitoring and a Proposed Water-Quality Monitoring Network for the Mosquito Lagoon Basin, East-Central Florida

Sharon E. Kroening



COVER OF REPORT

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CONTENTS
Abstract
Introduction
      Purpose and Scope
      Physical Setting
      Methods
      Acknowledgments
Monitoring Efforts in the Mosquito Lagoon Basin
            Surface-Water Quality Monitoring
            Ground-Water Quality Monitoring
            Atmospheric Deposition Monitoring
Water-Quality and Atmospheric Deposition Conditions in the Mosquito Lagoon Basin
      Surface-Water Quality
            Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, and Water pH
            Major Ions
            Bacteria
            Nutrients
            Water Color, Suspended Solids, and Chlorophyll-a
            Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
            Trace Elements
      Ground-Water Quality
            Geochemical Composition
            Salinity and Nutrient Content
            Organic Compounds and Trace Elements
      Atmospheric Deposition Conditions
      Assessment of Surface- and Ground-Water Resources
Development of a Water-Quality Monitoring Network
Summary
References Cited

Abstract

     Surface- and ground-water quality data from the Mosquito Lagoon Basin were compiled and analyzed to: (1) describe historical and current monitoring in the basin, (2) summarize surface- and ground-water quality conditions with an emphasis on identifying areas that require additional monitoring, and (3) develop a water-quality monitoring network to meet the goals of Canaveral National Seashore (a National Park) and to fill gaps in current monitoring. Water-quality data were compiled from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s STORET system, the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Information System, or from the agency which collected the data. Most water-quality monitoring focused on assessing conditions in Mosquito Lagoon. Significant spatial and/or seasonal variations in water-quality constituents in the lagoon were quantified for pH values, fecal coliform bacteria counts, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and total suspended solids. Trace element, pesticide, and ground-water-quality data were more limited. Organochlorine insecticides were the major class of pesticides analyzed. A surface- and ground-water-quality monitoring network was designed for the Mosquito Lagoon Basin which emphasizes: (1) analysis of compounds indicative of human activities, including pesticides and other trace organic compounds present in domestic and industrial waste; (2) greater data collection in the southern part of Mosquito Lagoon where spatial variations in water-quality constituents were quantified; and (3) additional ground-water-quality data collection in the surficial aquifer system and Upper Floridan aquifer. Surface-water-quality data collected as part of this network would include a fixed-station monitoring network of eight sites in the southern part of the basin, including a canal draining Oak Hill. Ground-water quality monitoring should be done routinely at about 20 wells in the surficial aquifer system and Upper Floridan aquifer, distributed between developed and undeveloped parts of the basin. Water samples collected should be analyzed for a wide range of constituents, including physical properties, nutrients, suspended sediment, and constituents associated with increased urban development such as pesticides, other trace organic compounds associated with domestic and industrial waste, and trace elements.


Suggested Citation:

Kroening, S.E., 2008, Assessment of Water-Quality Monitoring and a Proposed Water-Quality Monitoring Network for the Mosquito Lagoon Basin, East-Central Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5238, 53 p.

For additional information, contact:

U.S. Geological Survey
Florida Integrated Science Center
12703 Research Parkway
Orlando, FL 32826
407-803-5531


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