A preliminary assessment of the effects of treated sewer discharge on the phytoplankton communities of Whitaker Bayou and adjoining Sarasota Bay. (Sarasota, Florida). A technical report.

Abstract

This is a phytoplankton study that was conducted to evaluate the ecological suitability of Whitaker Bayou for continued wastewater discharge and possible future increases in such discharges; and to evaluate the importance and response of Sarasota Bay to the ecological condition of Whitaker Bayou, Sarasota, Florida. The specific objectives were to characterize the phytoplankton population of the study area in terms of species composition, density, and diversity; and evaluate this phytoplankton population with reference to possible effects of secondary treated wastewater (sewage) discharge from Whitaker Bayou.