Ayers Proposal First Submisson Qr
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Ayers, Proposal IDS3120
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The Ecological Implications of Seasonal Fluctuations in Chlorophyll a (Chl a) Upon Submerged 1
Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Hendry Creek, Lee County, Florida. 2
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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
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
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INTRODUCTION
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METHODS
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STUDY AREA
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EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
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DATA COLLECTION
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REFERENCES CITED
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
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TIMELINE AND SPECIAL RESOURCES
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Figure 1 57
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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
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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
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References Cited 87
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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
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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
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Neilson Ayers 1422 Loma Linda Drive — Fort Myers, Florida 33919
239.274.3301 — [email protected]
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
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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