Chemical characterization of water, sediments, and fish from Water Conservation Areas and Canals of the Florida Everglades (USA), 2012 to 2019

This dataset includes field and laboratory measurements of surface waters, pore waters, sediment, and fish from Water Conservation Areas and adjacent canals of the Florida Everglades (USA). Water, sediment, and fish samples were collected from Water Conservation Areas 1 (Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge), 2, and 3 and neighboring canals between 2012 and 2019. The sites sampled in Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 follow hydrologic flow paths. Field measurements reported for surface and pore waters include specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). Pore waters were filtered (quartz fiber filter) and measured for major cations, inorganic anions, inorganic sulfide, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, dissolved organic matter (DOM) ultraviolet and visible light (UV-Vis) absorption and fluorescence, total mercury (HgT), and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations. Surface water samples were collected and filtered (quartz fiber filter); particulate concentrations of MeHg and HgT were measured, and filtered aliquots were measured for major cations, inorganic anions, inorganic sulfide, DOC concentration, DOM UV-Vis and fluorescence, HgT and MeHg. Sediments were collected by push-core and measured for HgT, MeHg, organic matter content by loss on ignition (LOI), and percent dry weight. Resident mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were collected and measured for HgT and MeHg.