Reading 1c TBIS Groundwater

Coastal bays and estuaries serve significant recreational and economic purposes but face numerous challenges.
Key stressors include urbanization, agriculture, mining, and shipping, which can lead to ecological degradation.
Effective management practices depend heavily on expert scientific information to maintain healthy coastal ecosystems.
Notable information gaps include the quantity and quality of groundwater discharged into Tampa Bay and the variety of contaminants entering the bay, along with their accumulation in the seafloor sediments.
Buried contaminants may pose risks to organisms if released into the water column.

Collaborating organizations:
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- University of South Florida (USF)
- University of Florida (UF)
- Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI)
Goals include mapping groundwater sources, measuring groundwater flow into Tampa Bay, and assessing the effects of contaminants and sediments on water quality and ecosystem health.

Tampa Bay's surface water runoff can be assessed as stream discharge; however, groundwater flow (baseflow) is a significant component of this runoff.
The exchange of groundwater and surface water complicates water budget estimates and impacts contaminant delivery to the bay.
Water exchange across the seafloor can alter the chemical behavior of certain contaminants, potentially increasing toxicity.
Methodologies include:
- Streaming resistivity mapping, using sensors to send electrical pulses to the seafloor.
- The returned pulse data helps identify the salinity of the water under the seabed.

Mapping of groundwater and surface water measurements, sediment samples, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) study areas is underway.
A 3-D Fence Diagram provides insight into saltwater saturation within Tampa Bay.

Contaminated sediments can harm the ecological health of the bay.
Disturbing bottom sediments can spread contaminants to different bay areas, affecting plant and animal health.
Physical features of the sediments, such as size and type, are essential in predicting sediment resuspension and transport.

Ghost shrimp (abundant in Tampa Bay) dig deep into sediments, creating extensive burrow networks.
These burrows enhance groundwater and surface water exchange, modifying surface water chemistry.
Sediment ejection from burrows may increase sediment availability for resuspension, potentially impacting water quality.

SPM in Tampa Bay includes resuspended sediments, riverine particles, and biologically produced materials (e.g., algal blooms).
These particles can sequester reactive contaminants and hinder seagrass restoration by limiting light penetration necessary for photosynthesis.
Current efforts include identifying SPM characteristics and their relationship with light penetration in the water column.

Groundwater flux and contaminant accessibility are critical for evaluating Tampa Bay's ecosystem health.
Related studies:
1. Geological evolution of the bay, which informs predictive capabilities.
2. Fringing wetlands research, providing insights into effective water/contaminant filtration.
Development of multi-faceted maps detailing the geological influence on coastal hydrologic processes, with resistivity surveys spanning 2001 to 2004 enhancing understanding of water salinity variations.

Contaminant Risks: Buried contaminants in Tampa Bay sediments can pose risks to aquatic organisms if released into the water column, appealing for targeted monitoring of sediment quality.
Groundwater Exchange Importance: The significant role of groundwater flow (baseflow) in contributing to Tampa Bay's surface water runoff complicates water budget estimates and contaminant delivery.
Sediment Disturbance Effects: Disturbing bottom sediments can spread contaminants across different bay areas, negatively affecting the ecological health of Tampa Bay's environment.