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U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 01-243 [View PDF]
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View other reports in the 2001
Tampa Bay Pilot Study Series: |
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Project Facilitator: Lisa Robbins
Scientific Project Leader: Kimberly Yates
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Tampa Bay Integrated Science Pilot Study
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Maps for the Future: Baseline and Bathymetric Maps
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Tampa Bay has undergone an increased rate of urbanization and has experienced significant land-use changes over the last 50 years. Scientists are documenting these changes by compiling and digitizing historical maps showing land use changes, patterns of historical wetlands growth and loss, water, chemical, and biological data. These data will be entered into a Geographic Information System (GIS) format for interactive display by digital overlays of various databases. The need for these baseline and bathymetric maps at broad and fine scales has been identified as a priority item by interested agencies and ecosystem managers in the bay area. Fine-scale maps will initially focus on two locations in Tampa Bay, the Alafia River area and Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve (Fig. 1). These two sites represent potential end members with respect to urbanization, water quality, and estuarine health.
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Our Most Precious Resource: Quality and Quantity of Fresh Water to Tampa Bay
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Freshwater discharge into Tampa Bay is a critical issue in maintaining the salinity and water quality required for maintaining the health of a variety of habitats. Surface runoff into the bay has been well documented, but little is known about the quality and quantity of groundwater seeping into the bay from local aquifers. In order to evaluate watershed influence on wetland and bay ecosystems, scientists within the USGS, partner agencies, and institutions will be:
- creating shallow seismic and resistivity maps that will aid in locating point sources of groundwater flow into the bay
- measuring a suite of isotopes to quantify groundwater/surface-water exchange rates
- quantifying the flux of ground water into the bay
- determining nutrient levels and elements in surface runoff and ground water to assess quality
- analyzing 20 years of freshwater inflow, salinity, and nutrient patterns in the bay to aid in reconstructing historical conditions of wetlands.
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