• Ozone (O3)

  Ozone is a highly reactive gas that is composed of three oxygen atoms. It is formed in a chemical reaction between the diatomic oxygen molecule (O2) and an oxygen atom (O). Since there is abundant O2 in the atmosphere, the key to ozone formation is the availability of free oxygen atoms. This formation of ozone results primarily from the reaction of sunlight with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are emitted as a result of burning fuel. Health effects include: respiratory problems, reduced lung function, asthma, eye and nose irritation, reduced resistance to colds and other infections.

  For further information: Children: EPA Explorers Club EPA Ozone Page Adults: American Lung Association Ozone Page EPA Ozone Page FDEP Ozone Page EPA Air Now Page EPA Clean Air Market Page Media and Elected officials: FDEP Ozone Q&A Page EPA Ozone Q&A Page NOAA Ozone Page

  Data links: FDEP Ozone Net FDEP Ozone Forecast Page EPA Air Graphics Page

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

  Nitrogen oxides is a generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts, which cause acid rain, ozone formation, and eutrophication of coastal waters. Burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gasoline releases NOx into the atmosphere. The primary sources of NOx are motor vehicles (49%), electric utilities (27%), and other industrial, commercial, and residential sources that burn fuels (24%) Health effects include: increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, increased strain on pulmonary and respiratory systems. For further information on nitrogen oxides, click on the following links:

  For further information: Children: American Lung Association Air Fact Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: EPA NOx Page FDEP Air Pollutant Information Page

  Data links: EPA Air Graphics Page

• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

  Sulfur Dioxide is a colorless, toxic gas with a characteristic-suffocating odor produced by power plants and industries that burn fossil fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal and oil, and by the phosphate industry through its production of sulfuric acid. The sulfur dioxide that is produced by the burning of sulfur compounds reacts with the moisture in the air to form sulfuric acid, a major component of acid rain. Health effects include: affects breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. For further information on Sulfur Dioxide, click on the following links:

  For further information: Children: FDEP SO2 Page EPA SO2 Page American Lung Association Air Fact Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: American Lung Association Air Fact Page FDEP Air Pollutant Information Page EPA SO2 Page

  Data links: EPA Air Graphics Page

• Particulate Matter

  Particulate matter is the generic term used for a type of air pollution that consists of complex and varying mixtures particles suspended in the air we breath. Particulate matter is a combination of fine solids such as dirt, soil dust, pollens, molds, ashes, and soot: and aerosols that are formed in the atmosphere from gaseous combustion by-products such as volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Particulate matter is directly emitted into the air by sources such as factories, power plants, cars, construction activity, fires and natural windblown dust. Health effects include: effects on breathing and respiratory symptoms, aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, alterations in the body’s defense system against foreign materials, damage to lung tissue, carcinogenesis and premature death. For further information on particulate matter, click on the following links:

  For further information:
  Children:
  • American Lung Association Air Fact Page

  Adults, Media and Elected officials:

  • Linn County Public Health Department PM Page
  • FDEP Particulate Matter Page
  • Particulate Matter Research Page
  • 4 Cleanair.org
  • EPA Criteria Pollutant Page
  • EPA’s Children Health Yearbook
  Data links:
  • EPA Air Graphics Page

Air quality is impacted by both weather conditions and human activity. A more complete discussion of these sources, as well as a set of measures which track our success of reducing the impact from these sources, can be found
HERE.

FEEDBACK

This Web site is YOUR community environmental Web site and your input is invaluable. If there is information that you would like and cannot find here, if a topic is confusing and you would like more detailed information or if you have any suggestions or comments on how to make this site more valuable, please let us know.

• Shorebird population

  Tracking shorebird populations provides information on the status and trends of the area’s bird inhabitants; helps identify populations, species, and ecosystems at risk before they become threatened or endangered; and can provide tools for helping manage resources. These trends give conservationists, managers, citizens, and policy makers a window into the natural world and the health of environment.

  For further information: Children: US Fish and Wildlife Service Just for kids Adults, Media and Elected officials: US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebirds US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Sister School Program

• Fish Kills

  Fish kills can be caused by many factors such as low oxygen levels and algal blooms. The Florida Marine Research Institute tracks these kills and attempts to identify their cause. FMRI’s webpage details the latest information on fish kills.

• Mercury in Fish

  Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal that can be found in several forms throughout the environment. Anthropogenic (human) sources such as industrial manufacturing, mining and waste incineration significantly add to the amount of this heavy metal in the earth’s ecosystems. Consumption of excessive amounts of this toxic metallic element over a prolonged period of time can present a threat to human health. In high doses, mercury can also be toxic to fish and wildlife species.
  Due to the potential for human health problems, the Florida Department of Health works closely with the Florida Marine Research Institute to monitor levels of mercury in fish and issue health advisories when necessary. The following links will bring you to the latest information regarding mercury:

  • EPA Kids Superfund Mercury Page
  • FMRI Mercury in Fish Page
  • ECOS Mercury Page

• Exotic Species

  Invasion by nonindigenous species is one of the most important issues in natural resource management and conservation biology today. Exotic species are organisms that do not normally occur in a particular area that are brought in by accident or on purpose. The problem with these species is that they out-compete naturally occurring species and can completely take over natural ecosystems. Examples of exotic species are popcorn trees, zebra mussels and kudzu vines.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: USGS Nonindigenous Specie Page USGS Invasive Species Page FDEP Invasive Specie Page

  Data links: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

• Estimated amount of oyster harvest

  Oyster cultivation began more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. They had such a passion for oysters that they imported them from all over the Mediterranean and European coasts. The passion continues today – worldwide, almost two billion pounds are consumed annually.
  In Florida, oysters and clams are important aquatic species. The annual value of shellfish to the seafood industry in Florida exceeds 20 million dollars, with as many as 2,500 people employed in the harvesting, processing and distribution of shellfish. Most shellfish harvesting areas in Florida are now classified Conditionally Approved, with management plans calling for temporary closure following rainfall. Freshwater drainage from land introduces contaminants into estuaries where shellfish grow, and as coastal development continues, water quality may be degraded. Sources of pollution include failing septic systems, stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plant outfalls and discharges from boats.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Overview Page Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Handling Page Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Status Page

  Data links: Florida Agricultural Shellfish Landings Page

• Annual weight of commercial marine fisheries landings

  Although commercial landings of fish are, in general, highly subject to legislation and thus not always indicative of the health of an ecosystem there are a few species that may be considered indicator species. Due to their place at the base of the food chain and usual ubiquitous presence in the bay ecosystem, the atlantic croaker could be considered an indicator of the health of our bay. The link to the right will bring you to the Florida Marine Research Institute website detailing the status of the atlantic croaker stocks in Florida. For a complete report on the status of Florida’s fisheries:

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: FMRI Trends Report FMRI Feature Reports

  The following links will provide you with more detailed information on other particularly important fish stocks:

  • Striped Mullet (FMRI Striped Mullet Report)
  • Florida Pompano (FMRI Pompano Report)
  • Spanish Sardine (FMRI Spanish Sardine Report)

  One of the most prized gamefish in our bay system, the spotted seatrout, or speckled trout as we call them here, is a fish stock on the rebound. Highly regulated, this fish stock shows signs of recovery. An interesting fact about the spotted seatrout in Florida is that there are 3 distinct genetic stocks, the east coast, southwest and the northwest. There is good news and bad news about the northwest stock. The good news is that our stock has the lowest mercury count in the state! But the bad news is that our trout population isn’t rebounding quite as fast the rest of the state.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: Spotted Seatrout (FMRI Spotted Seatrout Report) Genetic stocks of Seatrout (FMRI Spotted Seatrout Special Report)

  Data links: National Marine Fisheries Service Fisheries Statistics and Economics

For more detailed information about Florida’s fisheries from the Florida Marine Research Institute check this link. There you will find all the products the FMRI produces from the genetic analysis of fish populations to coloring books for the kids! Be sure to check out what they have available on fish stocks that are not commercially or recreationally important from the fisheries independent monitoring program. These fish are vitally important to the ecosystem and thus to us all!

Water quality and consequently water biology is affected by pollution that enters the system via three major pathways. These pathways are stormwater runoff, point source emissions and air deposition. A more complete discussion of these sources, as well as a set of measures which track our success of reducing the impact from these sources, can be found
HERE.

FEEDBACK

This Web site is YOUR community environmental Web site and your input is invaluable. If there is information that you would like and cannot find here, if a topic is confusing and you would like more detailed information or if you have any suggestions or comments on how to make this site more valuable, please let us know.

• Percentage of Farmland with implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Miles of Dirt Roads in the Watershed
• Emissions from industrial activities
• Percentage of development with approved stormwater controls
• Percentage of homes with on-site septic tank systems
• Percentage of vacant buildings, population size, acreage in development, acreage in natural state
• Average Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled
• Per capita energy consumption
• Number of marinas and boatyards with a clean marina/boatyard designation
• Temperature
• Rainfall Totals
• Recycling

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  Percentage of Farmland with implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  Agricultural operations that do not employ BMPs can have a significant impact on surface water systems. Without appropriate BMPs such as buffer strips, stormwater runoff from these operations can carry sediment, fertilizer and pesticides into our local surface water bodies. Therefore, to help reduce the impact from these operations, the National Resource Conservation District works with landowners to implement BMPs appropriate for their operations. This measure tracks the percentage of acres in agricultural use that are currently using BMPs.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media, Elected officials: FDEP Agricultural Stormwater Page FDEP Stormwater Page

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  Miles of Dirt Roads in the Watershed

  Stormwater runoff from dirt roads creates significant sedimentation problems in our area’s surface water streams, rivers and bays. When storms pass through the area, the resulting runoff erodes dirt roads and deposits the silt and clays into surface water bodies. In addition to the negative impacts listed above for turbidity, the sediment buildup eventually impedes boat access to our rivers and bays at which point millions of dollars are spent to dredge the material out. This measure tracks the number of miles of dirt roads in the Pensacola Bay watershed.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media, Elected officials: EPA Dirt Road Report EPA Road Stormwater Page

  Data links: FDOT Planning Page

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  Emissions from industrial activities

  Traditionally point source discharges (those from industrial site discharge pipes or stacks) have been the largest single source of pollutants entering the environment. However, after 30+ years of environmental regulation, the pollution emitted from these sources has been significantly reduced. This measure tracks the amount of pollutants emitted to the Pensacola Bay system by facility. Each graph you will see also contains certain other pieces of information so the pollution emission data can be placed into context. To see what point source permit applications (both new sources and renewal of existing discharges) the Department of Environmental Protection is currently processing, click on the “FDEP Permit application database” link below.

  For further information: EPA Dirt Road Report EPA Atmospheric Deposition Page

  Data links: Gulf Power FDEP Permit application database

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  Percentage of development with approved stormwater controls

  As you learned in the water quality section, stormwater is probably the single largest source of contamination impacting our area’s waterbodies. Since stormwater regulations have only been in place since around 1975, a large percentage of our community’s stormwater runoff is not treated. However, there are efforts to retrofit old systems with treatment based on a priority basis. Efforts include creating wetlands, installing treatment vaults and exfiltration systems. This measure tracks the percentage of “pre-regulation” development that has been retrofitted with stormwater controls.

  For further information: Children: EPA NonPoint Source Kids Page EPA Explorers Club Adults, Media and Elected officials: EPA NonPoint Source Fact Sheet

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  Percentage of homes with on-site septic tank systems

  Septic tanks leach nutrients and bacteria into the soil from normal everyday operation. Although the systems do not pose a problem to the environment when all conditions are right, rarely is this the case. Often times these systems are located close enough to surface water bodies that the nutrients enter the water systems and begin causing problems. Therefore, it is a public health goal to replace these on-site systems with centralized treatment systems (i.e. Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants) in a priority manner. This measure tracks the percentage of homes that are currently using on-site septic tanks.

  For further information: Children: EPA Groundwater Source of Contamination Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: Columbia County Septic Tank Page Columbia County Septic Tank Care Page

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  Percentage of vacant buildings, population size, acreage in development, acreage in natural state

  This multi-unit measure tracks how smartly the watershed is being developed. Undeveloped land naturally treats stormwater runoff, provides open space for recreation and buffers wildlife from development. Taken in concert, the parameters of this measure provide an indication of how well the area’s comprehensive plans are directing development by placing an emphasis on the development of existing facilities in areas with established infrastructure when possible, preserving and maximizing open space areas, etc.

  For further information: Children: PBS Kids Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: Maryland Smart Growth Page Smartgrowth.org Page

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  Average Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled

  Air quality not only impacts human health directly, but it also impacts the quality of surface waters through air deposition. This term refers to the fact that a certain percentage of contaminants present in the air deposit into surface water bodies. In Tampa, it was shown that at least 30 percent of the nitrogen problem in Tampa Bay was due to air sources. Not only do industrial activities pollute the air, personal activities do as well. Each time we get in our cars, trucks and vans, we cause air pollution. Vehicles emit air pollution that contributes to poor air quality and low-level ozone formation. Considering that Florida’s largest use of energy is for transportation, this source of pollution must be considered. Therefore, part of the effort to improve our air and water quality must be to ensure that our vehicles are tuned up and that we be smart with using them. When at all possible we should car-pool and use public transportation to reduce the number of miles we travel. This measure tracks the Average Vehicle Miles Traveled Daily (AVMTD) to monitor our success at using vehicles wisely.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and elected officials: FDEP Carpool Fact Sheet

  Data links: FDOT Energy Page

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  Per capita energy consumption

  Energy production, no matter how it is produced, causes pollution. Therefore, both energy conservation and pollution prevention must be used to successfully address this pollution source. During the year 2000, Gulf Power’s (roughly Escambia – Jackson county) residential customers were the largest consumers of energy at 47.4%, followed by commercial entities 33.4%, industrial entities 19% and “other” entities .2%. This breakdown has been roughly the same for the past ten years. Based on these figures, it is vitally important that residential and commercial entities conserve energy since they consume over 80% of the energy produced. To monitor how well we are conserving energy, this section will track per-capita energy consumption.

  For further information: Children: Department of Energy Kids Corner Adults, Media and Elected officials: Department of Energy Kids Corner Florida Public Service Commission Fact Sheet Department of Energy Conservation Fact Sheet

  Data links: Per Capita Energy Consumption

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  Number of marinas and boatyards with a clean marina/boatyard designation

  Commercial activities, especially those adjacent to the water can have a significant impact on water quality. The Department and the Florida Marine Industry Association, National Marina Association, Florida Marinas, University of Florida Sea Grant and US Coast Guard/Sea Partners developed a program that encourages marinas and boatyards to adopt Best Management Practices at their facilities. This measure tracks the number and percentage of marinas and boatyards in the Pensacola Bay Watershed that have been designated as a clean marina or boatyard.

  For further information: Children, Adults Media and Elected officials: FDEP Clean Marina Home

  Data links: FDEP Clean Marina Map

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  Temperature

  As the temperatures increases, ozone levels increase and the amount of available oxygen in waterbodies decreases. Therefore, temperature must be considered when looking at these two parameters. For more information on temperature, click on the following links:

  For further information: Children: EPA Kids Climate Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: FDEP Air Pollutant Information Page FDEP Greenhouse Page EPA Climate Change Page EPA Climate Page EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual

  Data links: National Weather Service Pensacola Climate

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  Rainfall Totals

  Although this is a factor that we cannot control, it is important to track this number since rainfall amounts have a significant impact on water quality. During times of drought there is much less Non Point Source runoff entering the waterbodies, and thus there is much less pollution. However, once normal rainfall returns, so does the pollution from the Non Point Sources. Therefore, to track our success in reducing the non point source impacts, we must have this contextual information.

  For further information: Children: EPA Kids Climate Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: PBS Climate Page EPA Non Point Source Pointers Page

  Data links: National Weather Service Pensacola Climate

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  Recycling

  As the size of our population grows, the amount of solid waste we produce increases as well. This increase impacts the environment in many ways. Two of the most important impacts are that our landfills fill up with garbage faster and the raw materials used to produce the products we use everyday are mined faster. To limit the impact from population growth, we must learn to reuse and recycle every material we can. If we don’t, our children and their children could run out of raw materials. This measure tracks the amount of material recycled in the Pensacola Bay watershed.

  For further information: Children: EPA Explorers Club EPA’s Recycle City Page Adults, Media and Elected officials: Escambia County’s Drop Off Recycling Program Escambia County Recycle Page Environmental Defense Fund Recycling Page Internet Consumer Recycling Page

The majority of measures above track measures that are usually impacted by ecisions made by local and state government officials. In addition to making our voice heard by these officials that this is an important issue, there are ther personal actions you can take to improve water quality. These actions are represented in more detail HERE.

FEEDBACK

This Web site is YOUR community environmental Web site and your input is invaluable. If there is information that you would like and cannot find here, if a topic is confusing and you would like more detailed information or if you have any suggestions or comments on how to make this site more valuable, please let us know.

• Acreage of seagrass

  Seagrass beds are a very important part of surface water systems. Among the most important roles of these habitats are to provide a nursery area for fish, filter water and stabilize shorelines. Some of the greatest threats to seagrass beds are sediment-laden water, excess nutrients and prop-scarring (damage from boat propellers). This measure tracks the acreage of seagrass in the Pensacola Bay system.For further information:
  Children:

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

  Adults:

  • UWF Florida and Fauna of Northwest Florida
  • Florida Oceanographic Society Seagrass Page

  Media and Elected officials:

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

• Acreage of wetlands

  Wetlands filter stormwater runoff, provide habitat for fish and wildlife, and serve as a buffer between development and surface waterbodies. The current trend is increasing development, which adds to stormwater runoff and in some instances decreases the size of wetlands, resulting in less wetlands filtering more runoff. This measure is an estimate of the remaining acreage of wetlands left in the Pensacola Bay watershed.

  For further information: Children: US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Sister School Program Adults: EPA Non Point Source Fact Page UWF Florida and Fauna of Northwest Florida National Wildlife Federation Wetland Page EPA Wetland Page North Carolina State University Wetland Page Media and Elected officials: North Carolina State University Wetland Page EPA Non Point Source Fact Page

  Data links: US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory

• Acreage of oyster reefs

  As stated earlier, oyster reefs play a major role in improving the quality of water in our bays. Conservatively speaking, each oyster in the bay will filter approximately 5 gallons of water each day. To put this amount into perspective, it is estimated that historically the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay filtered the entire volume of the bay in three to five days. This measure tracks the acreage of oyster reefs in the Pensacola Bay system. For additional information on oyster reefs, click on the following links: For further information:
  Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials:

  • Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Overview Page

• Acreage of strategic habitat conservation areas

  Strategic habitat conservation areas include such areas as the Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie that contain threatened and endangered species or unique habitat that are protected for their ecological importance. This measure tracks the acreage of such areas. For further information on strategic habitat conservation areas, click on the following links: For further information:
  Children:

  • EPA Pesticide Program “Save our Species” Page

  Adults, Media and Elected officials:

  • Florida Division of Forestry Conservation and Management Page
  • FDEP Parks Page
  • FDEP Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Page
  • EPA Pesticide Program “Endangered and Threatened Species” Page
  • The Nature Conservancy Page
  • Florida Division of Forestry Conservation and Management Page

The habitats listed above are impacted by water quality, development and human activity. A more complete discussion of these impacts, as well as a set of measures which track our success of reducing the impact from these sources, can be found HERE.

FEEDBACK

This Web site is YOUR community environmental Web site and your input is invaluable. If there is information that you would like and cannot find here, if a topic is confusing and you would like more detailed information or if you have any suggestions or comments on how to make this site more valuable, please let us know.

• Total Nitrogen
• Total Phosphorus
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• Total Suspended Solids (Turbidity)
• Bacteria
• Red Tide
• Temperature
• Salinity
• pH

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  Total Nitrogen

  Part of the “nutrient” group that provides food for plants and microorganisms. Too little is not good and too much can kill a system by causing algal blooms that use a large amount of the oxygen in the water suffocating the fish population. Algal blooms can also cause submerged grass kills by decreasing the amount of sunlight reaching the plants.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): The effects of urbanization and agriculture on water quality: Nitrogen Water Quality Adults, Media and Elected officials: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Total Phosphorus

  The other part of the “nutrient” group, key water quality parameters in waterbodies. Like nitrogen, phosphorus is essential for growth of aquatic plants, however, too much causes excessive algal blooms, which use up oxygen supplies. Both nitrogen and phosphorus can come from natural sources such as geological formations rich in phosphate or nitrate, decomposing organic matter, wildlife waste, and nitrogen gas from the atmosphere. Over-fertilizing is another source of nitrogen and phosphorus, as runoff carries the nutrients from yards and farmlands.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): The effects of urbanization on water quality: Phosphorus Water Quality Adults, Media and Elected officials: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

  DO concentrations indicate how much oxygen is in the water. These concentrations are dependent on the time of year, time of day, temperature and salinity of the waterbody. For example, salt water holds less oxygen than fresh water, and warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. The level of oxygen in an estuary is one of the best indicators of its health, because the estuary cannot support animal or plant life without the correct amount of oxygen. The effects of a rapid decline in oxygen levels set in quickly, and animals either move to areas with higher oxygen levels or die. Because of the rapid impact of this change, dissolved oxygen is an important means of monitoring the health of a waterbody.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): Common water measurements Water Quality Adults: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual Common water measurements Water on the Web Media and Elected officials: Common water measurements Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook EPA Surf your watershed

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Total Suspended Solids (Turbidity)

  A measure of how clear the water is. Total solids refer to the particles that are suspended or dissolved in the water. These suspended solids decrease the amount of light that passes through the water, thus decreasing its clarity. Turbidity and total suspended solids are generally indicators of the effects of stormwater runoff, construction, agricultural practices, erosion, discharges, or other activities such as boating, jet skiing, or bottom-feeding animals. In developed watersheds with high proportions of impervious surfaces such as rooftops, parking lots and roads, turbidity and total suspended solids often increase sharply during a rainfall.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): Sediment Turbidity Water Quality EPA Nonpoint Source for Kids Adults: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual Common water measurements Water on the Web Media and Elected officials: Common water measurements

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Bacteria

  Coliform and Enterococci bacteria are monitored in area waterways to help determine water quality by identifying areas with fecal contamination. Clicking on the links to the right will bring you to the Department’s water quality website where area bacteria sampling data is posted weekly and a Pensacola Bay Watershed Report.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): The effects of urbanization on water quality: Waterborne pathogens Water Quality Adults, Media and Elected officials: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Red Tide

  Red Tide is an algal bloom that can kill fish and has the potential to harm human health as well. Although the exact cause of red tide is unknown, it is believed that environmental factors such as salinity, wind direction and nutrients all play a part in its formation and movement. The link to the right will bring you to the Florida Marine Research Institute’s red tide update page.

  For further information: Children, Adults Media and Elected officials: National Science Foundation Harmful Algae Page Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook EPA Surf your watershed FMRI Red Tide Status Page NOAA Harmful Algal bloom forecasting page

  Data links: FMRI Red Tide Status Page NOAA Harmful Algal bloom forecasting page Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Temperature

  A critical factor influencing several aspects of the estuarine ecosystem. It influences biological activity and many chemical variables in the estuary. As water temperature increases, the capacity of water to hold dissolved oxygen decreases. Water temperature also influences the rate of plant photosynthesis, the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and diseases. Temperature changes can also impact nutrient levels in the water. As air temperatures cool through the autumn, the surface water becomes increasingly cold and increases in density. The surface water mass ultimately sinks when its density becomes greater than that of the underlying water mass. As the surface water moves down, mixing occurs and nutrients from the bottom are redistributed toward the surface. This introduction of nutrients to surface waters fuels phytoplankton growth.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): Common Water Measurements USGS Primer on Water Quality Temperature EPA Nonpoint Source for Kids Adults: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual Common water measurements Water on the Web Media and Elected officials: Common water measurements

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  Salinity

  A measure of the amount of salts dissolved in water, is important to monitor since changes in the levels of salt concentration can impact the ability of salt sensitive species to survive. An estuary usually exhibits a gradual change in salinity throughout its length, as fresh water entering the estuary from tributaries mixes with seawater moving in from the ocean. Salinity levels control, to a large degree, the types of plants and animals that can live in different zones of the estuary. Freshwater species may be restricted to the upper reaches of the estuary, while marine species inhabit the estuarine mouth. Some species tolerate only intermediate levels of salinity while broadly adapted species can acclimate to any salinity ranging from fresh water to seawater.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): USGS Primer on Water Quality Conductance Adults: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual Common water measurements Media and Elected officials: Common water measurements

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

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  pH

  The pH of water is critical to the survival of most aquatic plants and animals. Testing water samples for total alkalinity measures the capacity of the water to neutralize acids. This test is important in determining the estuary’s ability to neutralize acidic pollution from rainfall or wastewater. Unanticipated decreases in pH could be indications of acid rain, runoff from acidic soils, or contamination by agricultural chemicals. Values of pH outside the expected range of 5.0 to 10.0 should be considered as indications of industrial pollution or some cataclysmic event.

  For further information: Children (USGS Water Science for Schools): USGS Primer on Water Quality Water properties: pH Adults: EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring manual Common water measurements Media and Elected officials: Common water measurements

  Data links: Northwest FDEP Water Quality Outlook Surf your watershed Real Time Water Quality Monitoring (Under Construction)

The pollutants listed above can reach a waterbody through one or more of three major pathways. These pathways are stormwater runoff, point source emissions and air deposition. A more complete discussion of these sources, as well as a set of measures which track our success of reducing the impact from these sources, can be found HERE. For more information on Beach Water Quality in Escambia County, click here.

FEEDBACK

This Web site is YOUR community environmental Web site and your input is invaluable. If there is information that you would like and cannot find here, if a topic is confusing and you would like more detailed information or if you have any suggestions or comments on how to make this site more valuable, please let us know

This Web Site was created by the Environmental Education Coordination Team (EECT) and the Bay Area Resource Council (BARC), working in partnership to provide our community with a “one stop” location for information about our environment.

On this Web Site you will find information about the Pensacola Bay Watershed’s air, water and land quality as well as information about its unique ecosystems. The Web Site is designed to:

1. describe our environment and the way we evaluate its quality;
2. identify the major impacts to our environment;
3. explain what we can do at all levels to reduce the impacts; and
4. highlight the results of our efforts by both tracking key activities as well as actual changes in air and water quality through both “Real Time” and weekly monitoring.

We now invite you to enter the Web Site and arm yourself with the information you need to more fully understand our community’s environmental challenges. Our hope is that this information will lead to an era of partnership building in which local citizens, industry, business representatives and public officials, work side by side to resolve our areas environmental issues.

EECT is a partnership consisting of community members from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Santa Rosa County, EW Bullock Associates, Florida Sea Grant Extension Program, University of West Florida, West Florida Regional Planning Council, Florida District 3 Representative Holly Benson and her staff, Gulf Power, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Yellow River Aquatic Preserve, Escambia County Utilities Authority, Private Citizens, Florida Marine Research Institute, Earth 911 and the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. For more information on some of our partners, click here.

Just in time for Earth Day, Arbor Day, spring cleanups and other environmental events, environmental organizations are now able to quickly post their events online through Earth 911’s Web site, enabling citizens to locate events in their local community, region, or state through a simple ZIP code search. To submit a program or event to the new Earth 911 events and contacts listings, organizations should click here.

“Our state’s residents already use Earth 911 to help locate the closest recycling and household hazardous waste facilities,” said Peter Goren, Recycling Program Manager with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “The Earth 911 Programs and Events area is a valuable new tool that will help Floridians obtain information about local and state events as well as help them find important state and local contact information for our environmental programs and services.”

Taking place on April 22, 2006, Earth Day is an annual celebration that highlights the issues of environmental quality and resource conservation. For over 35 years, individuals and organizations have participated in this event through educational efforts and by taking action to recycle, reuse and properly dispose of hazardous materials.

“Earth 911’s portal unites environmental agencies and organizations in the national effort to bring increased awareness and environmental stewardship to companies and individuals alike,” stated Anne Reichman, Director of Earth 911. “In fact, our mission is to “Make Every Day Earth Day™” by educating citizens about daily actions that can result in a significant environmental impact both in the short and long-term.”