Abstract
Sediments were collected in conjunction with infauna sampling at three sampling locations around Tampa Bay, FL in 2015 and analyzed for porosity of depth slices of 1 cm increments for the top 5 cm and 2 cm increments for 5-15 cm depth. C and N were measured at the USFSI Stable Isotope Lab, Department of Geology, University of South Florida, Tampa, using a Costech elemental combustion system, and data are given as total N (umol), total C (umol) and C:N ratio. Sediment grain size analysis was done using standard gravitational methods and is presented as % sand, silt, clay, and mud. Samples were collected in shallow water (0.25-1 m depth) in Halodule and Thalassia beds and adjacent bare (unvegetated) sediments.
Purpose
Sediment characteristics are important components in understanding how the physical environment helps to shape the structure and function of benthic communities. We measured sediment profiles at two sites in Tampa Bay, Florida, to establish working knowledge of sediment nutrient levels and physical properties at these locations. The purpose is to ultimately investigate and compare differences between Tampa locations (un-contaminated reference locations) and sites in the Chandeleur Islands, northern Gulf of Mexico, which were impacted by oil contamination. Results will be analyzed and compared with associated infaunal abundance, biomass, and oxygen consumption data to better understand how the benthic communities at these un-contaminated locations in Tampa function versus those in oil-contaminated locations. This study is part of a consortium that aims to assess the impact of oil contamination on sediment ecosystem function in the context of natural daily, seasonal, and annual variability in a dynamic ecosystem.
DOI: doi:10.7266/N747486K
Suggested Citation
Susan Bell. 2017. Sediment properties in shallow waters around Tampa Bay, FL in July 2015. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N747486K
Funded by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding cycle: RFP-IV
Research group: Alabama Center for Ecological Resilience (ACER)
