Fecal Coliform - Fecal coliform bacteria live within the intestines of warm blooded animals. The presence of these bacteria may indicate sewage contamination and the presence of other harmful pathogens which pose significant threat to humans. Contaminated water can cause disease either by direct contact, which threatens recreational water users, or by ingestion of contaminated shellfish. Livestock, inadequate wastewater treatment plants, leaky septic systems, sanitary landfills, and stormwater runoff are common sources of fecal and other bacteria. Fecal Coliform data for sites 1, 2, 3, and 15 provided by the Escambia County Health Department.

Coliform Count - Following membrane filtration of a water sample containing  fecal coliform bacteria,  the membrane is placed upon suitable microbiological growth media and incubated at 44.5 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.  The number reported represents the number of colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water. Exceeding 800 colonies/100 milliliters for any single sample and a 30 day geometric mean exceeding 200 colonies/100 mls indicates that the waterbody sampled does not meet recreational water quality standards and contact should be avoided. Exceeding 400 colonies/100 milliliters in 10% of samples taken in a 30 day period indicates that the waterbody does not meet recreational water quality standards and caution should be exercised. 

Salinity - Salinity is a measurement of the salt content in water and is usually expressed in Parts Per Thousand (PPT). Seawater has about 35 parts of salt per 1000 parts of water. Drinking water is less than 0.5 PPT. Salinity levels control the types of plants and animals that live in the different zones of the estuary.

Nutrients - Nutrients, which include ammonia, phosphorus, total kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite are chemicals required by plants for maintenance and growth. Nitrogen and phosphorus along with water temperature and sunlight control phytoplankton abundance. Although nutrients are essential for the growth of an estuary's plants, an excess may trigger a string of events that depletes dissolved oxygen in the water.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand - BOD is a measure of the quantity of organic material in the water and, therefore, the water's potential for becoming depleted in dissolved oxygen. Since bacteria decompose organic material, water with a high BOD level also generally has a high bacteria count. Although some waters are naturally organic rich, a high BOD often indicates pollution. 

Temperature - Temperature is a critical factor influencing several aspects of the aquatic ecosystem. It influences biological activity and many chemical variables within a water body. As water temperature increases, the capacity of a water molecule to retain dissolved oxygen decreases. Water temperature influences the rate of plant photosynthesis, the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and diseases.

Turbidity - Turbidity is a measure of the suspended particles in water. Several types of material cause water turbidity, these include: silt or soil particles, tiny floating organisms, and fragments of dead plants. Human activities can be the cause of turbidity as well. Runoff from farm fields, storm water from construction sites and urban areas, shoreline erosion and heavy boat traffic all contribute to high levels of turbidity in natural waters. These high levels can greatly diminish the health and productivity of estuarine ecosystems. Turbid waters decrease light penetration, thereby reducing the ability of aquatic plants to grow. Many animals living in estuaries feed by filtering the water; suspended material in large quantities can foul their filter-feeding system. Particles may also accumulate on the gills of fish and inhibit breathing.

Dissolved Oxygen - Dissolved oxygen is an essential indicator in assessing an estuary’s health. Oxygen enters the water from the atmosphere and through aquatic plant and phytoplankton photosynthesis. The oxygen is then available for aquatic organisms to utilize in basic metabolic processes. Most plants and animals can grow and do well when the dissolved oxygen level exceeds 5 mg/l. A drop in the level to 3-5 mg/l causes organisms to become stressed. Levels below 3 mg/l causes death in many species. Oxygen is used up during the decomposition of organic material. An overload of nutrients from human activities cause overgrowth of phytoplankton. The phytoplankton ultimately die and fall to the bottom where they decompose, using up oxygen.

Rainfall -  Reported by field representatives and volunteers as an estimate of the amount of precipitation in inches at each monitored site during a 24 to 48 hour period prior to water quality sampling. Data supplemented by the National Weather Service and on-site volunteers. Rainfall in our area may be scattered and frequently varies in intensity and duration.

Field Notes - Field observations which may include the presence of seaweed, algae, sea nettles and jellyfish, Fish Kills or Red Tide events.

For more information, contact: cheryl.bunch@dep.state.fl.us