Hydrocarbon characterization of sediments in Rookery Bay, Florida. A proposal.

Abstract

This report describes a project with an overall goal of establishing a data base for hydrocarbons in the Rookery Bay system, an estuarine preserve in southwest Florida, with special emphasis on the identification of petroleum hydrocarbons. This information will be used to assess provable costs related to the impact of chronic and catastrophic petroleum contamination resulting from rapid residential, municipal and industrial development which may have influence on the Rookery Bay system. To accomplish this goal, the distribution of hydrocarbons in sediments was correlated with historic land and water use patterns. In addition to the hydrocarbon survey, dye release studies were performed to approximate areas which may be affected due to oil spills in the Gulf and surrounding tributaries or from chronic input of hydrocarbons resulting from increased urbanization.