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Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, May 2001 - ongoing


At a Glance


Authors: Tiffany Troxler, Daniel Childers
Time period: 2001-05-30 to 2023-12-19
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1075.15
Dataset id: LT_ND_Losada_002

How to cite:
Troxler, T., D. Childers. 2024. Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE LTER), Florida, USA, May 2001 - ongoing. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/fd39ca39b9b1ec1c6184ba73664eff7a. Dataset accessed 2024-12-04.

Geographic Coverage


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Detailed Metadata


  • Dataset Creator(s)
    • Name: Dr. Tiffany Troxler 
    • Position: Project Collaborator
    • Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      OE 148
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-1453
    • Fax: 305-348-4096
    • Email: troxlert@fiu.edu
    • URL: http://wetland.fiu.edu/

    • Name: Dr. Daniel Childers 
    • Position: Associate Director for Research| Professor
    • Organization: Global Institute of Sustainability| School of Sustainability
    • Address: Arizona State University
      PO Box 875502
      Tempe, AZ 85287 USA
    • Phone: 480-965-2320
    • Fax: 480-965-8087
    • Email: dan.childers@asu.edu

  • Dataset Abstract
    Water quality samples are being collected using ISCO autosamplers at all wetland sites (that is, all sites except TS/Ph-9, 10, and 11). The autosamplers contain 24 1L bottles. Water is sampled by programming the autosamplers to take composite samples once every 3 days. These samples are a composite of four 250mL subsamples drawn every 18 hours (a sampling scheme that captures a dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight sample in every three day composite). The samples are collected every 3-4 weeks and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and salinity. When sites are visited to collect these samples, we also collect a grab sample that is immediately put on ice. A portion of these grab samples is filtered through a Whatman GF/F filter immediately upon return to the lab, and the filtered samples are analyzed for inorganic nutrients such as NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, SRP, and DOC. The unfiltered fraction of these grab samples is analyzed for TP, TN, and TOC. We use these montly grab samples to generate relationships between TP and SRP, and between TN and NO2- + NO3- + NH4+. Dissolved nutrients are measured using standard rapid flow analyzer (RFA) techniques. TP is analyzed with a modified Solorzano and Sharp (1980) technique. TN is measured with an Antec TN analyzer, TOC and DOC are quantified on a Shimadzu TOC Analyzer, and salinity is measured with a YSI conductivity meter. In addition to the regular water quality monitoring, we use the rain level actuators at all freshwater sites to trigger water sampling after rain events exceed a given threshold of duration and/or intensity. As currently programmed, when the threshold of = 2.5 cm of rain per hour is passed, the autosampler at that site collects a 500mL sample 30 minutes after the threshold has been reached. Rain event samples are collected, treated, and analyzed as all other water quality samples.
  • Geographic Coverage
    Study Extent Description
    The Study Extent of this dataset includes 3 of the FCE Taylor Slough research sites within Everglades National Park, South Florida

    Bounding Coordinates
    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph6a
    N: 25.21, S: 25.21, E: -80.65, W: -80.65

    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph7a
    N: 25.19, S: 25.19, E: -80.64, W: -80.64

    FCE LTER Site TS/Ph8
    N: 25.23, S: 25.23, E: -80.53, W: -80.53

    FCE LTER Sites
    TS/Ph6a,TS/Ph7a,TS/Ph8

  • Attributes
    • Data Table:   Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, South Florida
      Attribute Name:
      SITENAME
      Attribute Label:
      sitename
      Attribute Definition:
      Name of LTER site
      Storage Type:
      string
      Measurement Scale:
      TS/Ph6a= FCE LTER Site TS/Ph6a
      TS/Ph7a= FCE LTER Site TS/Ph7a
      TS/Ph8= FCE LTER Site TS/Ph8
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Date
      Attribute Label:
      date
      Attribute Definition:
      Collection date
      Storage Type:
      datetime
      Measurement Scale:
      Missing Value Code:
       

      Attribute Name:
      Time
      Attribute Label:
      time
      Attribute Definition:
      Collection time
      Storage Type:
      datetime
      Measurement Scale:
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      Salinity
      Attribute Label:
      salinity
      Attribute Definition:
      Composite salinity
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: PSU
      Precision: 0.1
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.0 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      TN
      Attribute Label:
      total nitrogen
      Attribute Definition:
      Composite total nitrogen
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.000 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      TP
      Attribute Label:
      total phosphorus
      Attribute Definition:
      Composite total phosphorus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      TOC
      Attribute Label:
      total organic carbon
      Attribute Definition:
      Composite total organic carbon
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.000 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      NH4
      Attribute Label:
      ammonium
      Attribute Definition:
      ammonium
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      NandN
      Attribute Label:
      nitrate and nitrite
      Attribute Definition:
      nitrate and nitrite
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      NO2
      Attribute Label:
      nitrite
      Attribute Definition:
      nitrite
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      SRP
      Attribute Label:
      soluble reactive phosphorus
      Attribute Definition:
      soluble reactive phosphorus
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      DOC
      Attribute Label:
      dissolved organic carbon
      Attribute Definition:
      dissolved organic carbon
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.001
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.000 (Value will never be recorded)

      Attribute Name:
      NO3
      Attribute Label:
      nitrate
      Attribute Definition:
      nitrate
      Storage Type:
      data
      Measurement Scale:
      Units: micromolePerLiter
      Precision: 0.01
      Number Type: real
      Missing Value Code:
      -9999.00 (Value will never be recorded)


  • Methods
    Sampling Description
    Water quality samples are being collected using ISCO autosamplers at all wetland sites (that is, all sites except TS/Ph-9, 10, and 11). The autosamplers contain 24 1L bottles. Water is sampled by programming the autosamplers to take composite samples once every 3 days. These samples are a composite of four 250mL subsamples drawn every 18 hours (a sampling scheme that captures a dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight sample in every three day composite). Collection of composite samples may result in a composite sample which is less than three days; samples are collected every 3-4 weeks. The recorded date for each composite sample indicates the end date of the sample interval. Samples are analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and salinity. When sites are visited to collect these samples, we also collect a grab sample that is immediately put on ice. A portion of these grab samples is filtered through a Whatman GF/F filters (0.7 um) immediately upon return to the lab, and the filtered samples are analyzed for inorganic nutrients such as NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, SRP, and DOC. The unfiltered fraction of these grab samples is analyzed for TP, TN, and TOC. We use these montly grab samples to generate relationships between TP and SRP, and between TN and NO2- + NO3- + NH4+. Dissolved nutrients are measured using standard rapid flow analyzer (RFA) techniques. TP is analyzed with a modified Solorzano and Sharp (1980) technique. TN is measured with an Antec TN analyzer, TOC and DOC are quantified on a Shimadzu TOC Analyzer, and salinity is measured with a YSI conductivity meter. In addition to the regular water quality monitoring, we use the rain level actuators at all freshwater sites to trigger water sampling after rain events exceed a given threshold of duration and/or intensity. As currently programmed, when the threshold of = 2.5 cm of rain per hour is passed, the autosampler at that site collects a 500mL sample 30 minutes after the threshold has been reached. Rain event samples are collected, treated, and analyzed as all other water quality samples.

    Method Step

    Description
    Water quality samples are being collected using ISCO autosamplers at all wetland sites (that is, all sites except TS/Ph-9, 10, and 11). The autosamplers contain 24 1L bottles. Water is sampled by programming the autosamplers to take composite samples once every 3 days. These samples are a composite of four 250mL subsamples drawn every 18 hours (a sampling scheme that captures a dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight sample in every three day composite). Collection of composite samples may result in a composite sample which is less than three days; samples are collected every 3-4 weeks. The recorded date for each composite sample indicates the end date of the sample interval. Samples are analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and salinity. When sites are visited to collect these samples, we also collect a grab sample that is immediately put on ice. A portion of these grab samples is filtered through a Whatman GF/F filters (0.7 um) immediately upon return to the lab, and the filtered samples are analyzed for inorganic nutrients such as NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, SRP, and DOC. The unfiltered fraction of these grab samples is analyzed for TP, TN, and TOC. We use these montly grab samples to generate relationships between TP and SRP, and between TN and NO2- + NO3- + NH4+. Dissolved nutrients are measured using standard rapid flow analyzer (RFA) techniques. TP is analyzed with a modified Solorzano and Sharp (1980) technique. TN is measured with an Antec TN analyzer, TOC and DOC are quantified on a Shimadzu TOC Analyzer, and salinity is measured with a YSI conductivity meter. In addition to the regular water quality monitoring, we use the rain level actuators at all freshwater sites to trigger water sampling after rain events exceed a given threshold of duration and/or intensity. As currently programmed, when the threshold of = 2.5 cm of rain per hour is passed, the autosampler at that site collects a 500mL sample 30 minutes after the threshold has been reached. Rain event samples are collected, treated, and analyzed as all other water quality samples.

    Submission notes:
    Missing Sep-01, Oct-08, Dec-18, Apr-20, June-21, Sept-21 and Nov-21 sampling for all sites;
    TS/Ph7a is also missing May-03;
    TS/Ph6a is also missing Dec-21, Dec-22, and Apr-23;
    At TS/Ph8 a 01-Feb-04 Sample was taken as a January 2004 sample;
    At TS/Ph6a and TS/Ph7a 01-Apr-19 samples were taken as March 2019 samples, 01-Apr-22 samples were taken as March 2022 samples, 03-Oct-22 samples were taken as September 2022 samples, and 05-Apr-23 samples were taken as March samples

    Instrumentation
    ISCO Model 6700 & ISCO Model 6710 Auto-samplers, Whatman GF/F filters (0.7 um), Nalgene Reusable Inline Filter Holder, Monoject 140cc syringes, Computer

    Quality Control
    Data that already meets Lab QA/QC is then evaluated by a Field Technician for patterns and trends, and finally by the PI for patterns and trends. When looking at patterns and trends, the Field Technician and/or PI looks for any values that "spike" or "valley" with an above/below quanity greater than double preceding and post values.
  • Distribution and Intellectual Rights
    Online distribution
    https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/knb-lter-fce/1075/15/4169cb49e9e4b22ff4e04bb8a4ea21ee
    Data Submission Date:  2023-06-28

    Intellectual Rights
    This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.

  • Keywords
    FCE, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, Taylor Slough, TN, NO3, TP, TOC, NH4, DOC, SRP, N+N, NO2, Everglades National Park, grab sample, intensive, water, long-term monitoring, ecological research, nitrate, water quality, inorganic nutrients, salinity, biogeochemistry, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, ammonium, nitrous oxide, soluble reactive phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon, inorganic nutrients
  • Dataset Contact
    • Name: Emily Standen 
    • Position: Technical Staff
    • Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center
    • Address: Florida International University
      University Park
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Phone: 305-348-1576
    • Email: estanden@fiu.edu
    • URL: http://www.fiu.edu/~ecosyst/

    • Position: Information Manager
    • Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER
    • Address: Florida International University
      11200 SW 8th Street, OE 148
      Miami, FL 33199 USA
    • Email: fcelter@fiu.edu
    • URL: https://fcelter.fiu.edu

  • Data Table and Format
    Data Table:  Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, South Florida

    Entity Name:
    LT_ND_Losada_002.csv
    Entity Description:
    Water Quality Data (Grab Samples) from the Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, South Florida
    Object Name:
    LT_ND_Losada_002.csv
    Number of Header Lines:
    1
    Attribute Orientation:
    column
    Field Delimiter:
    ,
    Number of Records:
    600

  • Project permits
    EVER-2007-SCI-0065
    EVER-2008-SCI-0069
    EVER-2009-SCI-0063
    EVER-2009-SCI-0070
    EVER-2011-SCI-0071
    EVER-2013-SCI-0058
    EVER-2015-SCI-0062
    EVER-2017-SCI-0054
    EVER-2019-SCI-0055
    EVER-2022-SCI-0029
    EVER-2023-SCI-0011