Abstract
In this study, we investigated the correlation between concentrations of nutrient contaminants and rainfall in the inflow and outflow from engineered wetlands in the Everglades. These engineered wetlands, referred to as Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), are designed to remove phosphate (PO4) from water in the Miami Canal and North New River Canal.
Methods: Quality and quantity of water entering (inflow) and leaving (outflow) STAs are monitored by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and stored in the publicly accessible DBHYDRO database. DBHYDRO water quality data from one inflow monitor (G370) and two outflow monitors (G376B and G376E) at STA3/4 were used. Data from weather station EAA5 were used for rainfall estimates. We summed seven days of precipitation measurements at EAA5 and compared those values to weekly measurements of PO4 concentration. Correlation of PO4 concentrations to rainfall was tested using a standard linear regression model. Results show strong correlation between PO4 concentration and rainfall in canal water in years 2008 and 2011. 2014 anonymously shows no correlation. Results from the clean outflow at G376E show that while there are PO4 fluctuations, fluctuations are not correlated with rainfall events. Thus, PO4 concentrations in the canal water are strongly correlated with rainfall events. However, water that flows through the STA becomes progressively cleaner as plants take up the PO4. As a result, the relationship between rainfall and PO4 concentrations diminish. Possible causes of PO4 fluctuations in STAs include groundwater seepage, dry atmospheric deposition, changes in plant productivity, and animal activity.
Faculty Sponsors
Paul Baldauf, Ph.D.
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-10-2015 1:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2015 5:30 PM
Correlation of Nutrient Contamination with Rainfall in the Everglades
Alvin Sherman Library
In this study, we investigated the correlation between concentrations of nutrient contaminants and rainfall in the inflow and outflow from engineered wetlands in the Everglades. These engineered wetlands, referred to as Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), are designed to remove phosphate (PO4) from water in the Miami Canal and North New River Canal.
Methods: Quality and quantity of water entering (inflow) and leaving (outflow) STAs are monitored by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and stored in the publicly accessible DBHYDRO database. DBHYDRO water quality data from one inflow monitor (G370) and two outflow monitors (G376B and G376E) at STA3/4 were used. Data from weather station EAA5 were used for rainfall estimates. We summed seven days of precipitation measurements at EAA5 and compared those values to weekly measurements of PO4 concentration. Correlation of PO4 concentrations to rainfall was tested using a standard linear regression model. Results show strong correlation between PO4 concentration and rainfall in canal water in years 2008 and 2011. 2014 anonymously shows no correlation. Results from the clean outflow at G376E show that while there are PO4 fluctuations, fluctuations are not correlated with rainfall events. Thus, PO4 concentrations in the canal water are strongly correlated with rainfall events. However, water that flows through the STA becomes progressively cleaner as plants take up the PO4. As a result, the relationship between rainfall and PO4 concentrations diminish. Possible causes of PO4 fluctuations in STAs include groundwater seepage, dry atmospheric deposition, changes in plant productivity, and animal activity.
