Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

1 | P a g e

The Ecological Implications of Seasonal Fluctuations in Chlorophyll a (Chl a) Upon Submerged 1

Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Hendry Creek, Lee County, Florida. 2

3

Abstract 4

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), including freshwater sea grasses, have diminished 5

both locally (southwest Florida) and globally in recent decades. During the same time 6

frame, human development along coastal areas has altered the outflow of nutrients and 7

other chemicals into these waters, including chlorophyll a (Chl a). Recent environmental 8

and regulatory initiatives have been drivers toward seeking legislation to reduce Chl a in 9

local water to improve water clarity, that is, to reduce light attenuation. A study to 10

determine the concentration of chlorophyll a and the relationship with SAV is desirable to 11

more efficiently control and improve water quality with regard to light attenuation. A 12

study of Chl a and the implications upon SAV in Hendy Creek would add an additional 13

dimension to the local understanding of how SAV in other water bodies would react to 14

substantial changes in water releases performed in the context of water management15

.

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

2 | P a g e

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

3

INTRODUCTION

3

METHODS

5

STUDY AREA

5

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

7

DATA COLLECTION

7

REFERENCES CITED

9

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

11

TIMELINE AND SPECIAL RESOURCES

12

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

3 | P a g e

Research Objective: 1

The goal is to measure and evaluate the ecological implications of seasonal fluctuations in 2

chlorophyll a (Chl a) upon submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Hendry Creek, Lee 3

County, Florida. These results, along with similar studies done on other local tributaries, 4

will assist in setting TMDL limits and other regulatory measures designed to improve 5

southwest Florida coastal and estuarine waters. [59] 6

Introduction: 7

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) including freshwater sea grasses, have 8

diminished both locally (southwest Florida) and globally in recent decades (Corbett and 9

Hale. 2006). During the same time frame, human development along coastal areas has 10

altered the outflow of nutrients and other chemicals into these waters, including 11

chlorophyll a (Chl a) (Moreno et al. 2012). Chlorophyll a is, however, not the sole cause of 12

light attention in estuarine waters (Le et al. 2013). Color (CDOM) and turbidity are also 13

major causes of attenuation (McPherson and Miller 1987). Given the amount of political 14

capital and economic hardship associated with new regulations designed to reduce 15

outflows of Chl a or the reactants that generate it, a clearer understanding of these outflows 16

is desirable, not only to academia, but also to regional business interests (Bailey and Peets 17

2009) (Paulson et al. 2002). [138] 18

Recent environmental and regulatory importance has been a driver to seek 19

legislation to reduce chlorophyll a in local water to improve water clarity, that is, to reduce 20

attenuation (Wainger 2012). A study to determine the concentration of chlorophyll a is 21

desirable to more efficiently control and improve water quality (with regard to light 22

attenuation) (Sherwood, et al. 2015). Studies have been conducted on local waters heavily 23

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

4 | P a g e

impacted by the active water management of waters historically flowing southward into 24

Florida Bay, that is, the "Everglades" (Chen et al. 2014). Hendy Creek is a local water 25

tributary with urban and suburban headwaters, but is relatively unconstricted by 26

engineered water control stations (Hammond and Tomasko, 2012). [113] 27

A study of chlorophyll a and the implications upon SAV in Hendy Creek would add 28

an additional dimension to the local understanding of how SAV in other water bodies 29

would react to substantial changes in water releases performed in the context of water 30

management. Measurement of SAV by means of surveyed transects is a common way of 31

measuring SAV. Transects have studied extensively in Estero Bay, Tampa Bay and other 32

local waters, but not as much in local tributaries (Leary and Preserves 2012). Other light 33

attenuation factors, specifically color (CDOM) and turbidity (or TSS) would need to be 34

measured as well, as they typically have been the dominant contributors to light 35

attenuation (Chen et al. 2014). Whatever the outcomes, results of this project will be 36

helpful in future assessments of how resources should be expended to maximize the 37

benefit of local water quality improvement efforts and the regulatory and legislative 38

requirements imposed upon these efforts. [155] 39

40

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

5 | P a g e

Methods: 41

The Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) at certain sites in Hendry Creek will be 42

measured. Also to be measured will be light attenuation, and the water quality properties 43

of turbidity, color (CDOM) and chlorophyll a. The relationship between SAV abundance 44

and chlorophyll a will be examined. [45] 45

46

Study Area (adapted from Tyler and Rhew 2008.) 47

Hendry Creek is located in the southwest region of Lee County in southwest Florida, 48

approximately 3 miles south of the city of Ft. Myers and approximately 3 miles southeast of 49

the city of Cape Coral. For assessment purposes, Hendry Creek is divided into a 50

predominantly freshwater segment and a predominantly marine segment. State Road (S.R.) 51

45 runs between the two segments. Hendry Creek flows south for approximately 6 miles 52

into north Estero Bay and drains a watershed of about 15.35 square miles. Most 53

development is in the north end of the watershed, and wetlands and water dominate the 54

southern portion. (Fig. 1) [102] 55

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

6 | P a g e

56

Figure 1 57

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

7 | P a g e

Experimental Design: Field Surveys Methods (adapted from Stearns 2007; Erickson 58

2010; and Leary2012): 59

Three transects sites will be selected in Hendry Creek, roughly at the headwaters, then 60

halfway down the creek, finally at the mouth of the creek were it enters Estero Bay. 61

Approximate location are shown on Figure 1. Sampling intervals will be quarterly for three 62

years for a total of 12 sampling events for each transect. At each site, a fixed linear transect 63

will be established from the shoreward edge of the SAV to the waterward edge, where 64

possible. At regular intervals along each transect, detailed information such as species, 65

abundance, and density will be collected using a one square meter quadrat. Quadrat 66

sampling points (stations) will be marked with PVC stakes and GPS coordinates used for 67

reference. In addition to these regular intervals, data at the beginning and end of the grass 68

bed will be collected. Both end points may vary. To measure SAV, sample blade or leaf 69

lengths will be measured. Total SAV abundance will be measured. Blade lengths will be 70

multiplied by abundance to calculate a biomass total. Digital photographs will be taken at 71

each site to assist evaluating species abundance. [183] 72

Data Collection (adapted from Chen et al. 2014; and Corbett and Hale 2006) 73

Measurements of the light attenuation coefficient (kd) will be done, also field survey 74

measurements of color (CDOM), turbidity and Chl a will be taken to estimate the 75

contribution of these water quality constituents to light attenuation. Data collection will be 76

done in conjunction with the field surveys, that is, quarterly for three years for a total of 12 77

sampling events for each transect. Water samples will collected at a depth of 0.5 meters 78

with a 4.0-LVan Dorn Bottle and transferred into a clean bottles. Chl a samples will be 79

taken and stored on ice until processed in the laboratory. After collecting the CDOM and 80

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

8 | P a g e

Chl a samples, salinity, turbidity, and temperature will be measured with a YSI multiprobe. 81

Vertical profiles of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) will be obtained at depth 82

intervals of 0.5 m with a LICOR, LI-193 spherical quantum sensor, and a LI-1400 data 83

logger. The attenuation coefficient (kd, m−1) of PAR will be calculated from those profiles. 84

[159]. 85

86

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

9 | P a g e

References Cited 87

88

Bailey, N., & Peets, R. (2009). TMDL Report DO TMDL for the Cross Canal-North Tidal 89

(WBID 1625) and DO and Nutrient Tidal (Chlorophyll-a). 90

91

Chen, Z., Doering, P. H., Ashton, M., & Orlando, B. A. (2014). Mixing Behavior of Colored 92

Dissolved Organic Matter and Its Potential Ecological Implication in the 93

Caloosahatchee River Estuary, Florida. Estuaries and Coasts, 1-13. 94

95

Christian, D., & Sheng, Y. P. (2003). Relative influence of various water quality parameters 96

on light attenuation in Indian River Lagoon. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 97

57(5), 961-971. 98

99

Corbett, C.A., and J.A. Hale. (2006). Development of water quality targets for Charlotte 100

Harbor, Florida using seagrass light requirements. Florida Scientist 69: 36–50. 101

102

Erickson, S. (2010). Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Seagrass Monitoring Design. FDEP 103

Publication. 104

105

Hammond, D. G., & Tomasko, D. A. (2012). Numeric Nutrient and Dissolved Oxygen Criteria 106

Development Using a Self-Referencing Approach: A Southwest Florida Estuary Case 107

Study. Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2012(11), 4997-5007. 108

109

Le, C., Hu, C., English, D., Cannizzaro, J., Chen, Z., Kovach, C., ... & Carder, K. L. (2013). 110

Inherent and apparent optical properties of the complex estuarine waters of Tampa 111

Bay: what controls light?. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 117, 54-69. 112

113

Leary, R. E., & Preserves, C. H. A. (2012). Seagrass Dynamics within the Estero Bay Aquatic 114

Preserve Along Fixed Transects. 115

116

McPherson, B. F., & Miller, R. L. (1987). The vertical attenuation of light in Charlotte Harbor, 117

a shallow, subtropical estuary, south-western Florida. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf 118

Science, 25(6), 721-737. 119

120

Moheimani, N. R., Borowitzka, M. A., Isdepsky, A., & Sing, S. F. (2013). Standard methods for 121

measuring growth of algae and their composition. In Algae for Biofuels and Energy 122

(pp. 265-284). Springer Netherlands. 123

124

Moreno Madriñán, M. J., & Fischer, A. (2012, December). The Validity CHLOROPHYLL-alpha 125

Estimation by Sun Induced Fluorescence in Estuarine Waters: AN Analysis of Long-126

Term (2003-2011) Water Data from Tampa Bay, Florida (usa). In AGU Fall Meeting 127

Abstracts (Vol. 1, p. 06). 128

129

130

131

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

10 | P a g e

Paulson, C., Finch, R., & Sandquist, R. (2002). Adaptive Management–An ITERATIVE 132

APPROACH TO ACHIEVE WATER QUALITY GOALS FASTER AND MORE COST-133

EFFECTIVELY ON THE SNAKE RIVER. Proceedings of the Water Environment 134

Federation, 2002(8), 673-686. 135

136

Sherwood, E. T., Greening, H. S., Janicki, A. J., & Karlen, D. J. (2015). Tampa Bay estuary: 137

Monitoring long-term recovery through regional partnerships. Regional Studies in 138

Marine Science. 139

140

Stearns, C. (2007). Standard Procedures for Seagrass Monitoring for the Charlotte Harbor 141

Aquatic Preserves’ Seagrass Transect Monitoring Program. FDEP Publication. 142

143

Tyler, D., Rhew, K. (2008). TMDL Report Dissolved Oxygen TMDLs for Hendry Creek 144

(WBIDs 3258B and 3258B1). FDEP Publication. 145

146

Wainger, L. A. (2012). Opportunities for reducing total maximum daily load (TMDL) 147

compliance costs: Lessons from the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental science & 148

technology, 46(17), 9256-9265.149

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

11 | P a g e

Neilson Ayers 1422 Loma Linda Drive — Fort Myers, Florida 33919

239.274.3301 — ayersneil@gmail.com

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE EXPERIENCE Lee County Environmental Laboratory, Field Technician, Fort Myers, FL May 2011 — Aug. 2015

Collected field samples for lab analysis, including groundwater, surface water (marine, estuarine, fresh), drinking water and rainwater.

Operated, maintained and calibrated YSI 600 series datasondes, Hach turbidity meters and CL2

kits, LiCor PAR apparatus and other instrumentation used in field data collection.

Operated and trailered small boats

Developed multi-linear regression model of light attenuation in estuarine and coastal waters to QA/QC Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) In Situ data collection.

Estero Bay Aquatic & Buffer Preserves, Environ. Specialist, Ft. Myers Beach, FL Oct. 2001 - June 2009

Performed and supervised exotic plant removal and animal (feral hog) removal.

Assisted with prescription burns. (I have taken firefighting courses: S-130, S-190, S-211 and S-214 Engine Academy)

Assisted in performing continuous water monitoring with YSI 6600 series sondes.. Performed tributary water quality sampling including field parameters.

Performed seagrass monitoring in Estero Bay and Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves

Member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, including manatee capture for FWRI

Acted as liaison for and with the Lee County Marine Law Enforcement Task Force BIA, Big Cypress Indian Reservation, Wildfire Fighter/Tech., Big Cypress, FL Feb. 1996 - July 1996

Performed wildfire firefighting and prescription burning. Operated heavy equipment, off-road vehicles, fire equipment, etc. Drove and operated Class 6 fire engines in initial fire attack.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE U.S. Army, Artillery Officer, United States and Vietnam May 1967 — Sept. 1969

Performed combat and command duties as Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, and Battery Executive Officer in US and in the Central Highlands of the Republic of South Vietnam.

EDUCATION Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL Expected Graduation – June 2016 Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies

Relevant coursework: Computer Simulation and Modeling, Conservation Strategies for a Sustainable Future, Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental GIS, General Ecology, Introduction to Environmental Policy, Southwest Florida History and Statistics with Calculus.

For Senior Project in Environmental Studies class, conducted the study: “Regional Water Resources Management Research at Florida Gulf Coast University.”

Internship at Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. Developed a GIS method to reduce bias in their water quality random sampling program. The method was adapted by CHNEP, Florida FWC, (FWRI) and Lee County Environmental Laboratory.

Edison College, Fort Myers, FL 2007 Associate of Arts Degree with Honors, 4.0 GPA

Ayers, Proposal IDS3120

12 | P a g e

Timeline and Special Resources Needs

Phase 1

Secure Funding

Notify and coordinate with local

environmental agencies (FDEP,

SFWMD, Estero Bay Aquatic

Preserve, Estero Bay Preserve State

Park). Arrange for lab tests at Lee

County Environmental Lab (LCEL)

Three months

Phase 2 Select sites One month

Perform surveys and sampling Every three months (quarterly) for

three years

Phase 3 Analyze data One months

Write article (report) on the study

and results

Two months

Publish Unknown

Special Resource Needs

Boat and trailer

SCUBA equipment

YSI 6600 series datasonde

Lab tests