Water Quality in the Conservation Areas of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, 1970-1972

Benjamin F. McPherson

ABSTRACT

Selected chemical indicators of water quality in and near the conservation areas in southern Florida in 1970-72 varied with location and season.  Dissolved solids generally were highest in the north and northeast where averages ranged from 471 to 641 mg/l (milligrams per liter), and lowest in the south and west where averages ranged from 172 to 387 mg/l.  Pesticides showed a similar distribution trend.  The DDT family (the most commonly detected pesticide) averaged 192 µg/kg (micrograms per kilogram) in bottom sediments in the north of the areas compared with 13.8 µg/kg in the south.  DDT averaged 723 µg/kg in centrarchid fish (bass and sunfish) at the north end of Area 1, 264 µg/kg at the south end of Area 1, 230 µg/kg in Area 2, and 56 µg/kg in Area 3. Dieldrin (5.7 to 130 µg/kg) and toxaphene (2,200 to 5,000 µg/kg) were also in high concentrations in fish at the north end of Area 1, and in Area 2.  Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) were highest (1,300 and 1,900 µg/kg) in bottom sediment at two stations in Area 2.  Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus varied more with season or water level than with location.  They were highest in June, 1971, at the end of a drought; average values were 2.6 mg/l inorganic N (compared with 0.13 to 0.48 mg/l at other times), 4.0 mg/l organic N (compared with 0.8 to 2.5 mg/l at other times), and 0.05 mg/l as P (compared with 0.01 to 0.04 mg/l at other times).

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