Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) - Estuary Nutrient Regions

As part of the analyses conducted to derive nutrient standards for predominately marine waters, the Department evaluated the available water quality data for individual estuary systems and further subdivided these estuaries into homogeneous (with regard to nutrients, nutrient response variables, and salinity) segments or Estuary Nutrient Regions. Estuarine and marine areas for the estuaries listed in subsection 62-302.532(1), F.A.C., are delineated in the maps of the Florida Estuary Nutrient Regions, dated October 2014, which were incorporated into the rule by reference. These Estuary Nutrient Regions represent water segments over which the estuary-specific numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion in subsection 62-302.531(1), F.A.C., apply. Unless otherwise noted for a specific Estuary Nutrient Region, the criteria are expressed as concentration-based open water, area-wide averages. Numeric nutrient criteria do not apply to wetlands or to tidal tributaries that fluctuate between predominantly marine and predominantly fresh waters during typical climatic and hydrologic conditions unless specifically provided by name in subsection 62-302.532(1), F.A.C. The NNC Implementation Document(http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02905) provides additional information describing the information and data needed to determine whether a location is within either a wetland or tidal tributary.为制定以近海水域为主的营养盐标准而开展的分析工作中，相关部门对各河口系统的现有水质数据进行了评估，并将这些河口进一步划分为在营养盐、营养盐响应变量及盐度方面具有同质性的区段，即河口营养盐区域（Estuary Nutrient Regions）。佛罗里达行政法规（Florida Administrative Code，F.A.C.）第62-302.532(1)小节所列河口的河口及近海水域范围，已在2014年10月版《佛罗里达河口营养盐区域地图》中划定，该地图已通过引用方式纳入本规则。上述河口营养盐区域即为适用佛罗里达行政法规第62-302.531(1)小节中针对各河口制定的叙述性营养盐标准的数值解释的水域区段。除非特定河口营养盐区域另有说明，本标准均以开放水域的浓度基准、全区域平均值的形式表述。数值营养盐标准不适用于湿地，以及在典型气候与水文条件下会在近海水域与淡水水域之间波动的潮汐支流，除非佛罗里达行政法规第62-302.532(1)小节中已通过名称明确指定相关区域。《数值营养盐标准实施文件》（NNC Implementation Document，http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02905）提供了额外信息，详述了用于判定某一区域属于湿地还是潮汐支流所需的相关信息与数据。