Appendix 2: Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods Florida Keys- Report #1: Canal Water Characterization

Appendix to Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, Florida Keys- Report #1: Canal Water Characterizaton This report serves as a summary of our efforts to date in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, and a channel to deliver the datasets generated during field and laboratory measurements. The period of record for this report is Mar. 2014 – Dec. 2014 and includes data from two sampling events. The objective of the project is to provide data needed to make unbiased, statistically rigorous statements about the status and temporal trends of water quality parameters in the remediated canals. The execution of the project includes two phases: 1) Characterization of canal waters before remediation; and 2) monitoring water quality changes after remediation. We have completed the phase of data collection for the Characterization stage with two measuring/sampling campaigns. Characterization was accomplished using three data-gathering techniques, measuring vertical profiles (casts), continuous 24-hour recording (diel) of physicalchemical properties, and water sampling and analysis for nutrients. We deployed multisensor, water quality monitoring instruments (SeaBird CTD and YSI) to measure physicochemical parameter of at least two profiles throughout the water column at each canal, to generate depth profiles of each parameter. We also deployed pairs of YIS sondes to continuously measure physical-chemical variables of water quality during 24- hours. Finally, we collected and analyzed surface and bottom water samples

Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods: Florida Keys

Several important results have been realized from FIU’s regional monitoring project. First is the documentation of elevated nutrient concentrations (DIN, TP and SiO2) in waters close to shore along the Keys, and corresponding responses from the system, such as higher phytoplankton biomass (CHLA), turbidity and light attenuation (Kd), as well as lower oxygenation (DO) and lower salinities of the water column. These changes, associated to human impact, have become more obvious in a new series of ten stations (# 500 to #509) located very close to shore, near canal mouths and sampled since November 2011 (SHORE; Fig 4). These waters are part of the so called Halo Zone, a belt following the shoreline which extends up to 500 meters offshore, and whose water quality characteristics are closely related to those in canals and affected by quick movement of infiltrated runoff and wastewaters (septic tanks), tides and high water tables Many canals do not meet the State’s minimum water quality criteria and are a potential source of nutrients and other contaminants to near shore waters designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. Hence, the Monroe County BOCC has approved moving forward with a series of canal restoration demonstration projects whose results will be used to further define restoration costs and for information in future grant applications to state and federal sources. The Monroe County, the WQPP Steering Committee and the Canal Subcommittee have selected ten (10) canals out of twenty (20) pre-selected sites, for demonstration of restoration technologies (See Summary in Table 4). The main objective of this demonstration is to obtain realistic data and costs for future restoration planning and grant application purposes (AMEC 2012). Those technologies under consideration target two fundamental problems, poor circulation (stagnation) and accumulation of organic matter. Both, poor circulation and accumulation of organic debris, besides run-off and seepage from septic tanks, are major contributors to water quality degradation in the Florida Keys (Kruczynski, 1999), especially to the degradation of canal waters

Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods Florida Keys

This report serves to transmit a summary of our efforts in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, as per our US EPA Agreement #X7 00D02412. This report consists of this summary along with corresponding datasets generated during field and laboratory measurements. The period of record of this report is September 2015 to March 2016 and includes data from sampling conducted until February 2016. Data from March 2014 to September 2015 are included for comparison and they were presented in a previous report (Briceno and Serna, 2015)

Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods Florida Keys- Report #1: Canal Characterization

This report serves as a summary of our efforts to date in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, and a channel to deliver the datasets generated during field and laboratory measurements. The period of record for this report is Mar. 2014 – Dec. 2014 and includes data from two sampling events. The objective of the project is to provide data needed to make unbiased, statistically rigorous statements about the status and temporal trends of water quality parameters in the remediated canals. The execution of the project includes two phases: 1) Characterization of canal waters before remediation; and 2) monitoring water quality changes after remediation. We have completed the phase of data collection for the Characterization stage with two measuring/sampling campaigns. Characterization was accomplished using three data-gathering techniques, measuring vertical profiles (casts), continuous 24-hour recording (diel) of physicalchemical properties, and water sampling and analysis for nutrients. We deployed multisensor, water quality monitoring instruments (SeaBird CTD and YSI) to measure physicochemical parameter of at least two profiles throughout the water column at each canal, to generate depth profiles of each parameter. We also deployed pairs of YIS sondes to continuously measure physical-chemical variables of water quality during 24- hours. Finally, we collected and analyzed surface and bottom water samples

Appendix 1 to Report 1

Appendix to Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, Florida Keys- Report #1: Canal Water Characterizaton This report serves as a summary of our efforts to date in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for Demonstration of Canal Remediation Methods, and a channel to deliver the datasets generated during field and laboratory measurements. The period of record for this report is Mar. 2014 – Dec. 2014 and includes data from two sampling events. The objective of the project is to provide data needed to make unbiased, statistically rigorous statements about the status and temporal trends of water quality parameters in the remediated canals. The execution of the project includes two phases: 1) Characterization of canal waters before remediation; and 2) monitoring water quality changes after remediation. We have completed the phase of data collection for the Characterization stage with two measuring/sampling campaigns. Characterization was accomplished using three data-gathering techniques, measuring vertical profiles (casts), continuous 24-hour recording (diel) of physicalchemical properties, and water sampling and analysis for nutrients. We deployed multisensor, water quality monitoring instruments (SeaBird CTD and YSI) to measure physicochemical parameter of at least two profiles throughout the water column at each canal, to generate depth profiles of each parameter. We also deployed pairs of YIS sondes to continuously measure physical-chemical variables of water quality during 24- hours. Finally, we collected and analyzed surface and bottom water samples

2014 Annual Report of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for the Water Quality Protection Program of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

This report serves as a summary of our efforts to date in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for the FKNMS as part of the Water Quality Protection Program. The period of record for this report is Mar. 1995 – Dec. 2014 and includes data from 78 quarterly sampling events within the FKNMS. This annual report reflects funding cutbacks in 2012 resulting in reduction of spatial sampling from 155 to 112 sites. Field parameters measured at each station (surface and bottom at most sites) include salinity (practical salinity scale), temperature (ºC), dissolved oxygen (DO, mg l-1), turbidity (NTU), relative fluorescence, and light attenuation (Kd, m-1). Water quality variables include the dissolved nutrients nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), ammonium (NH4+), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Total unfiltered concentrations include those of nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (TOC), phosphorus (TP), silicate (SiO2) and chlorophyll a (CHLA, μg l-1). The EPA developed Strategic Targets for the Water Quality Monitoring Project (SP-47) which state that beginning in 2008 through 2012, they shall annually maintain the overall water quality of the near shore and coastal waters of the FKNMS according to 2005 baseline. For reef sites, chlorophyll a should be less than or equal to 0.35 μg l-1 and the vertical attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance (Kd, i.e., light attenuation) should be less than or equal to 0.20 m-1. For all monitoring sites in FKNMS, dissolved inorganic nitrogen should be less than or equal to 0.75 μM (0.010 ppm) and total phosphorus should be less than or equal to 0.25 μM (0.0077 ppm). Table 1 shows the number of sites and percentage of total sites exceeding these Strategic Targets for 2014. We must recognize that the reduction of sampling sites in western FKNMS (less human-impacted sites) and the increase in inshore sites (heavily human-impacted sites) introduces a bias to the dataset which results in a reporting problem, perhaps requiring a revision of SP-47 to correct this deviation. To avoid such complications, we have not included the recently added locations (#500 to #509) in the calculation of compliances. For reef stations, chlorophyll less than or equal to 0.35 micrograms liter-1 (ug l-1) and vertical attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance (Kd, i.e., light attenuation) less than or equal to 0.20 per meter; for all stations in the FKNMS, dissolved inorganic nitrogen less than or equal to 0.75 micromolar and total phosphorus less than or equal to 0.25 micromolar; water quality within these limits is considered essential to promote coral growth and overall health. The “number of samples” exceeding these targets is tracked and reported annually. Values in green are those years with % compliance greater than 1995-2005 baseline. Values in yellow are those years with % compliance less than 1995-2005 baseline

2013 Annual Report of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for the Water Quality Protection Program of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

This report serves as a summary of our efforts to date in the execution of the Water Quality Monitoring Project for the FKNMS as part of the Water Quality Protection Program. The period of record for this report is Mar. 1995 – Dec. 2013 and includes data from 73 quarterly sampling events within the FKNMS. This annual report reflects funding cutbacks in 2012 resulting in reduction of spatial sampling from 155 to 112 sites. Field parameters measured at each station (surface and bottom at most sites) include salinity (practical salinity scale), temperature (ºC), dissolved oxygen (DO, mg l‐1), turbidity (NTU), relative fluorescence, and light attenuation (Kd, m‐1). Water quality variables include the dissolved nutrients nitrate (NO3 ‐), nitrite (NO2 ‐), ammonium (NH4 +), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Total unfiltered concentrations include those of nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (TOC), phosphorus (TP), silicate (SiO2) and chlorophyll a (CHLA, μg l‐1). The EPA developed Strategic Targets for the Water Quality Monitoring Project (SP‐47) which state that beginning in 2008 through 2012, they shall annually maintain the overall water quality of the near shore and coastal waters of the FKNMS according to 2005 baseline. For reef sites, chlorophyll a should be less than or equal to 0.2 μg l‐1 and the vertical attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance (Kd, i.e., light attenuation) should be less than or equal to 0.13 m‐1. For all monitoring sites in FKNMS, dissolved inorganic nitrogen should be less than or equal to 0.75 μM (0.010 ppm) and total phosphorus should be less than or equal to 0.2 μM (0.0077 ppm). Table 1 shows the number of sites and percentage of total sites exceeding these Strategic Targets for 2013. We must recognize that the reduction of sampling sites in western FKNMS (less human‐impacted sites) and the increase in inshore sites (heavily human‐impacted sites) introduces a bias to the dataset which results in a reporting problem, perhaps requiring a revision of SP‐47 to correct this deviation. To avoid such complications, we have not included the recently added locations (#500 to #509) in the calculation of compliances