Detailed Briefing Document: Environmental Sampling and Water Quality

Tampa Bay

The largest open water estuary in Florida, home to over 2.4 million people.

Ebb Tide Delta

The second largest ebb tide delta in the Gulf of Mexico located in Tampa Bay.

Formation of Tampa Bay

Linked to Florida's geological history including volcanic activity and sedimentation.

Average Depth of Tampa Bay

12 feet, with dredged channels reaching 43 feet deep.

Freshwater Influx into Tampa Bay

Ranges between 1,200 and 2,200 million gallons per day.

Tampa Bay Salinity

Classified as a partially mixed system with semidiurnal tides.

Residence Time in Tampa Bay

Ranges from 75 to 150 days for overall water, and 15 to 30 days in shipping channels.

Mangrove Forests

Coastal ecosystems consisting of red, black, white mangroves, and buttonwood.

Salt Marshes

Coastal wetlands that are important for fish reproduction and can be oligohaline.

Invasive Species in Tampa Bay

Species like Brazilian Pepper, Green Mussels, and Lion Fish, which disrupt local ecosystems.

FDEP SOPs

Standard Operating Procedures used for ensuring reliable scientific data collection.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in decomposing organic matter.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of gaseous oxygen dissolved in water, crucial for aquatic life.

pH Scale

A scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from acidic to alkaline.

Quality Control (QC)

Procedures ensuring the accuracy and precision of sampling and analytical processes.

Sampling Design Types

Includes judgmental, simple random, stratified, systematic, and ranked set sampling.

Effects of Temperature on Water Quality

Temperature impacts DO concentration and biological metabolic rates in aquatic environments.

Trophic State Index (TSI)

A classification system rating lakes based on biological productivity.

Surface Water Sampling Methods

Includes direct grab sampling, intermediate vessels, and depth-specific samplers.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Ensures the reliability of the entire sampling process.

Sediment vs. Soil

Sediment is submerged in aquatic environments, while soil supports land plants and is not submerged.