Evaluation of SHORE Monitoring Stations in the Context of Nutrient Compliance Targets in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

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"Water quality sampling since 2008 throughout the Halo Zones of the Keys, shows that for one parameter, samples complied only 22.3% of the time; for the other parameter, samples complied 58.1% of the time." 
 

Kathleen A. McKee, M.S.

Comments by Licensed FL Geologist

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"These tests demonstrate that in the karst geology of the Florida Keys, shallow sewage well injection
is the functional equivalent of a direct discharge to surface waters." 
 

Donald M. Maynard, PG

Affadavit - Effect of Nutrient Addition on Marine Ecosystems of the FL Keys

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"..the plants and animals ... of the Keys – the seagrass and corals – are quickly killed and replaced by fast-growing, noxious seaweed if nutrient delivery is increased." 
 

James W. Fourqurean, Ph.D.

2018 Update to the Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Document, EPA

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"Throughout the Keys, all of the areas within the Halo Zone waters (up to 500 meters offshore)... are impaired for nutrients...." “The Florida Keys are a linear collection of small watersheds which are hydrologically connected at the local level
by near shore waters.” 

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 Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2018 

2017 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Report, Florida International University

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"First we documented elevated nutrient concentrations (DIN, TN, TP, and SiO2) in waters close to shore along the Keys.

These changes, associated with land/human development, have become even more obvious by the addition of 10 stations
located very close to shore..." 

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Henry O. Briceño & Joseph N. Boyer

Southeast Environmental Research Center OE-148, Florida International University

Design and implementation of dye-tracer injection test,
Cudjoe Key, Florida Keys, Final Report, 2014

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"We conclude that ... injected freshwater at the current injection depth of 80’ to 120’... readily migrates ... to surface waters. These results are similar to those found by other researchers elsewhere in the Florida Keys." 
 

 Henry O. Briceño, Reinaldo Garcia, Piero Gardinali, Kevin Boswell, Alexandra Serna