Everglades - A Tragedy Of The Commons

Pronounced water quality gradients: There are clear spatial gradients in surface water phosphorus, sulfate, organic carbon, nitrogen, chloride and conductivity in the Everglades marsh. These gradients are due to the relative contribution of rainwater, stormwater and groundwater. The highest concentrations typically occur during the wet season in north-central region, due to its proximity to the Everglades Agricultural Area and stormwater discharges. Concentrations progressively decrease downstream. Location, time of year, and water management practices are important factors that affect water quality.
Phosphorus exceeded 500 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), Florida’s definition of “impacted”, in 24% of the Everglades, and it exceeded 400 mg/kg, restoration goal, in 49% of the Everglades.
Canals are a conduit for pollutant transport. The canal system, constructed to provide flood control and water supply, is also an effective conduit for the transport of degraded water into and through the Everglades marsh system. Water management affects water quality. Pollutants should be controlled at the source prior to discharge into the Everglades

	Everglades Ecosystem Assessment Phase IV (2014) Data More Info

	Content in Surface Water
	Chloride (mg/L)
	Sulfate (mg/L)
	Dissolved Carbon (mg/L)
	Reactive Phosphorus (mg/L)
	Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
	Chlorophyll (mg/L)
	Mercury (mg/L)

	Content in Soil
	Soil pH
	Water Percent
	Organic Matter (mg/kg)
	Total Phosphorus (mg/kg)
	Ash Percent