Sedimentation, sea-level rise and circulation in Florida Bay

Fact Sheet 156-96
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Recent algal blooms and seagrass mortality have raised concerns about the water quality of Florida Bay, particularly its nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus), 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. Over decades to centuries, bathymetric changes due to erosion or sediment deposition affect water circulation and hypersalinity. The effect on circulation depends on the interplay between sediment accumulation and sea-level rise. The goal of this U. S. Geological Survey project is to document and quantify short- and long- term processes associated with sediment transport so that the influence of sediments on water quality can be better defined and later integrated with numerical modeling efforts conducted by cooperating agencies.

Suggested Citation

Sedimentation, sea-level rise and circulation in Florida Bay; 1999; FS; 156-96; Geological Survey (U.S.)

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Sedimentation, sea-level rise and circulation in Florida Bay
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 156-96
DOI 10.3133/fs15696
Publication Date October 01, 1999
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description HTML Dcoument
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Florida Bay
Additional publication details