Benthic Monitoring
In the late 1960’s EPC began monitoring the
environment initially by
sampling the atmosphere and surface waters for pollutants. After many
years of sampling scientist began to realize that much of what falls out
of the air and surface waters ends up accumulating in the sediments of
our bays and rivers. These normally unseen sediments (Benthic
environment) are ecologically active and very important
parts of our overall ecosystem. Sediment, just like air and water, can
become polluted and is often a much better indicator of the health of
our environment.
 In
1993, EPC began a Benthic Monitoring Program modeled after a much larger USEPA program called the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
(EMAP). The program called for once a year sampling at randomly
selective points under worst-case conditions (mid-August to October). The
program has amassed a huge amount of data for the estuarine waters of
Tampa Bay including segments of Manatee and Pinellas counties through year
2000.
 The species of invertebrate living in these sediments are collected,
sorted, identified, and counted. The sediment grain size is determined and the
chemistry (metals, hydrocarbons, PCB's and pesticides) of the sediment is determined. Water
quality data is also collected for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity,
salinity and temperature.
The
overall objective of the program is to provide data to estimate the
areal extent of specific Benthic community conditions within and
among seven Tampa Bay segments. A recently added objective is to monitor
conditions is areas potentially affected by proposed increased freshwater production or diversions for potable use. Beginning in
1999 sampling was expanded in selective tributaries including additional
sampling in McKay Bay and Apollo Beach (TECO Big Bend) areas. This
enhanced Benthic monitoring was undertaken at the request of the BOCC in
order to provide additional protection for portions of Tampa Bay, which
are being exploited for the production of drinking water.
For
further information on this program, please call EPC's Benthic Section
at (813) 627-2600 x 1200 or send us an
E-mail.
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