{"id":1502,"date":"2024-01-03T11:21:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T16:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mote.org\/?post_type=program&p=1502"},"modified":"2026-01-07T13:07:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:07:16","slug":"chemical-physical-ecology","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/mote.org\/research\/program\/chemical-physical-ecology\/","title":{"rendered":"Chemical & Physical Ecology"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chemical & Physical Ecology Program addresses both research and applied science questions on the impacts and interactions of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica) and physical parameters (salinity, light) in riverine, estuarine and coastal environments. The group forms a NELAC-approved water quality laboratory with certification inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Health and a Quality Manual which addresses all aspects of sample collection, analytical and reporting practices. These quality measures are applied to all projects to ensure acceptable accuracy and precision of all analytical results.<\/p>\n

Areas of focus for the program include statistical analyses of the nutrient regimes associated with blooms of Florida\u2019s \u201cRed Tide,\u201d Karenia brevis<\/em>, as well as other phytoplankton taxa. We are examining the variations in the supply of nutrients from the major SW Florida estuaries, and are also studying the responses of both typical coastal phytoplankton and K. brevis<\/em> to selected nutrient additions under more controlled laboratory experiments. Novel sources of nutrients that may support harmful algal blooms have also been examined, quantifying either the amount of nutrients supplied as flux from the sediments to the water column or measuring the nutrient concentrations of sediment interstitial waters.<\/p>\n

Freshwater supplies to estuaries are under considerable pressure as Florida\u2019s population and drinking water demands increase. The Program has performed a number of studies to establish the chemical and physical conditions of tidal rivers as a function of flow rates to allow Florida\u2019s Water Management Agencies to set appropriate withdrawal limits that are protective of estuarine biota and habitats. We also continue to provide monitoring services to permitted entities to ensure that these limits remain effective and appropriate and to permit municipalities to track the conditions and trends of their respective estuarine waters. Projects include both routine discrete sampling at selected stations, intensive surveys with flow through instrumentation and water quality measurements, stormwater sampling and installations of continuous monitors of weather, water level and water quality.<\/p>\n

Funding agencies have included the U.S. EPA, NOAA, the State of Florida, Southwest and South Florida Water Management Districts, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Florida Department of Health, as well as local counties and cities.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\n
\n \n \"Mote's <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Mote's Dr. Emily Hall collects a water sample at depth. <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
\n
\n \n \"Mote <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Mote scientists include experienced chemists who process water samples to collect a variety of data in the lab. <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
\n
\n \n \"Jess <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Jess Frankle snorkels in a limnocorral, a piece of equipment to section off water for a red tide mitigation research project. Credit: Hayley Rutger\/Mote Marine Laboratory <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
\n
\n \n \"Mote <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Mote scientists collect water samples on a boat, an important part of studying red tide and other algal blooms <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
\n
\n \n \"Mote <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Mote scientists collect water samples at multiple depths during research cruises. <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n
\n
\n \n \"Mote <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Mote scientists test clay for red tide mitigation at Mote Aquaculture Research Park in a project with University of Central Florida and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Credit: Bekah Horseley\/Mote Marine Laboratory <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

 <\/p>\n

Program Details<\/h2>\n
\n \n Current Projects\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
    \n
  • Unprecedented Hurricane Ian Nutrient and Organic Matter Inputs to Southwest Florida Coastal Waters<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nitrogen chemistry in marine sediment and connection to <\/span>Karenia brevis<\/span><\/i> blooms<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Deployment of a nitrate sensor – WIZ – in Sarasota Bay<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ambient water quality monitoring of Sarasota Bay<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lake Guard Dew Efficacy Towards Nutrient and Harmful Algal Bloom Reduction<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Myakkahatchee Creek Hydrobiological Monitoring Program<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Water quality monitoring program for the City of North Port<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Red Tide Mitigation Projects<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Storm Pulse Events<\/span><\/li>\n
  • FWRI-Mote Cooperative Red Tide Monitoring and Research Program<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>
    \n \n Research Collaborations\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
    \n
      \n
    • Anthony Janicki \u2013 JEI<\/li>\n
    • Barbara Kirkpatrick – Mote<\/li>\n
    • Brett Cunningham \u2013 Jones Edmunds<\/li>\n
    • Charles Kovach – FDEP<\/li>\n
    • Chris Anastaciou \u2013 SWFWMD<\/li>\n
    • Cynthia Heil \u2013 Bigelow<\/li>\n
    • Dave Tomasko \u2013 Atkins Global, Inc.<\/li>\n
    • Debbie Bronk – Virginia Institute of Marine Science<\/li>\n
    • Ernest Estevez – Mote<\/li>\n
    • Gabriel Vargo \u2013 University of South Florida<\/li>\n
    • Gary Hitchcock \u2013 University of Miami<\/li>\n
    • Gary J. Kirkpatrick – Mote<\/li>\n
    • James Fitzpatrick \u2013 HDR, Inc.<\/li>\n
    • Jason Lenes – USF<\/li>\n
    • Jay Leverone \u2013 SBEP<\/li>\n
    • John J. Walsh – USF<\/li>\n
    • Judith O\u2019Neil \u2013 University of Maryland<\/li>\n
    • Karen Steidinger \u2013 FFWCC-FWRI<\/li>\n
    • Ken Leber \u2013 Mote<\/li>\n
    • Kevan Main \u2013 Mote<\/li>\n
    • Margie Mulholland \u2013 Old Dominion University<\/li>\n
    • Mark Alderson \u2013 SBEP<\/li>\n
    • MerriBeth Neely – FDEP<\/li>\n
    • Michael S. Flannery – SWFWMD<\/li>\n
    • Mike Wessel \u2013 JEI<\/li>\n
    • Paula Coble \u2013 University of South Florida<\/li>\n
    • Philip Murphy \u2013 HydrO2<\/li>\n
    • Ralph Montgomery \u2013 Atkins Global, Inc.<\/li>\n
    • Ray Pribble \u2013 JEI<\/li>\n
    • Richard Pierce – Mote<\/li>\n
    • Roger Johannson \u2013 JEI<\/li>\n
    • Steve Peene \u2013 ATM, Inc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n

       <\/p>\n

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