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Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in the Everglades Conservation Areas, Florida, with special reference to the effects of backpumping runoff

Water-Resources Investigations Report 76-29
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri7629

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Abstract

In much of the water pumped into the northern Everglades, Florida, concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus are relatively high. These nutrients are transported in the canals or into the peripheral marshes. Concentrations decrease sharply within 330 feet or less of the canals, whereas specific conductance remains essentially unchanged within this distance. The sharp decrease in inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus near the canal edge indicates net uptake in these shallow waters. Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus also decrease as water moves through the conservation areas in canals. This decrease is due partly to dilution by rainfall and runoff, and partly to net uptake in the canals and their peripheral marsh. The large canals of the northern and eastern parts of the conservation areas often have relatively low concentrations of dissolved oxygen which show little fluctuation within 24 hours. Backpumping 50 percent of the total annual canal runoff in southeast Florida would add from 990 to 6,160 tons of nitrogen and from 10 to 62 tons of phosphorus to the conservation areas. The bottom sediments of the Everglades are a sink for nitrogen and phosphorus. They can, however, be a source of these nutrients when anaerobic conditions exist at the water-sediment interface or when bottom material becomes resuspended. (Woodard-USGS)

Suggested Citation

McPherson, B.F., Waller, B.G., Mattraw, H., 1976, Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in the Everglades Conservation Areas, Florida, with special reference to the effects of backpumping runoff: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 76-29, 120 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri7629.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in the Everglades Conservation Areas, Florida, with special reference to the effects of backpumping runoff
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 76-29
DOI 10.3133/wri7629
Year Published 1976
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center
Description 120 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Everglades National Park
Additional publication details