Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Origin Of Salinity Variations In Florida Bay, P. K. Swart, René M. Price

FCE LTER Journal Articles

This note presents a method of distinguishing the source of freshwater that causes reductions in salinity in the coastal environment of South Florida. This technique, which uses the ¹⁸O and D of the water, allows for differentiation of the freshwater derived from precipitation as opposed to runoff, because surface waters in the Everglades have been highly evaporated and therefore have elevated ¹⁸O and dD values relative to precipitation. A time series of monthly ¹⁸O and D values of surface waters, collected from stations in Florida Bay between 1993 and 1999, has shown that, during this time, the …