Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve hydrological data

The data for each of the collection sites are available for fiscal years 2002-2005. The files are available in several formats. Salinity and temperature were collected for all stations. Stage, discharge, and wind speed and direction were also collected at some of the stations.

Estero Bay is a shallow estuary, across which salinity gradients from freshwater to saltwater occur over short land-sea distances. Such gradient compressions can result in a highly variable salinity environment and affect a diverse range of estuarine flora and fauna when even a small change in watershed runoff occurs. Rapid development within the bay's watershed has a changing effect on the amount, timing, and quality of runoff into the bay. Currently there is no information available to assess the effect that these alterations of runoff may have on the bay and its biota, nor to define watershed runoff and loading limits that provide desirable ranges in salinity and water quality at historical, current, and potential locations for seagrass, oysters, and other species of concern. To manage and preserve the Estero Bay ecosystem, it is necessary to: (1) understand the salinity patterns of the bay in relation to freshwater inflow and water exchange with the Gulf of Mexico; (2) describe the mixing and freshwater residence times within the bay; and (3) study the effects on light penetration from increased Total Suspended-Solids (TSS) load and re-suspension. Results from this study will facilitate management decisions geared toward defining flow and sediment loading limits that provide desirable ranges in salinity and water quality by providing necessary hydrological information. To carry out the objectives of the study, a network of monitoring stations will be established and will include: (1) the monitoring of flow, water level, salinity, temperature, Acoustic Backscatter Strength (ABS), and turbidity near the mouth of three of four tributaries flowing into Estero Bay; (2) monitoring of water level, salinity, temperature, turbidity, wind speed and direction, and barometric pressure at one location inside the bay; (3) monitoring of water level, flow, salinity, temperature, and ABS at three of four tidal exchange points with the Gulf of Mexico along the barrier islands; (4) monitoring of water level (depth), salinity and temperature at one open-water location in the Gulf of Mexico.

各采集站点的数据可获取时段为2002至2005财年。数据文件提供多种格式。所有监测站位均采集了盐度与温度数据。部分站位还同步采集了水位、流量、风速及风向数据。

埃斯特罗湾（Estero Bay）是一处浅海河口湾，其海陆短距离范围内即可形成从淡水到咸水的盐度梯度。这类梯度压缩现象会造就盐度高度多变的环境，当流域径流量发生微小变化时，便会对河口湾内多样的动植物群落造成影响。该海湾流域内的快速开发，正持续改变着径流入湾的总量、时序与水质。目前尚无相关信息可用于评估这类径流量变化对海湾及其生物群落的影响，也无法确定能够为海草、牡蛎及其他受关注物种的历史、当前及潜在栖息地提供适宜盐度与水质范围的流域径流量及负荷限值。为管理与保护埃斯特罗湾生态系统，需完成以下三项工作：（1）阐明该海湾盐度分布格局与淡水输入及与墨西哥湾（Gulf of Mexico）水体交换的关联；（2）刻画海湾内的水体混合过程与淡水驻留时间；（3）研究总悬浮固体（Total Suspended-Solids, TSS）负荷增加及泥沙再悬浮对光照穿透度的影响。本研究的成果将通过提供必要的水文信息，辅助制定相关管理决策，以确定能够维持适宜盐度与水质范围的径流量及沉积物负荷限值。为达成研究目标，将搭建一套监测站点网络，具体监测内容包括：（1）在汇入埃斯特罗湾的4条支流中的3条河口附近，监测流量、水位、盐度、温度、声学背散射强度（Acoustic Backscatter Strength, ABS）与浊度；（2）在海湾内部一处点位监测水位、盐度、温度、浊度、风速、风向及大气压力；（3）在沿岸障壁岛处与墨西哥湾进行潮汐交换的4个点位中的3个，监测水位、流量、盐度、温度及ABS；（4）在墨西哥湾一处开阔水域点位监测水位（水深）、盐度与温度。