May and August 2005 data collection characterizes chemical contamination in southwest Puerto Rico's marine environment. The dataset includes analysis of 71 sediment samples for total organic carbon and 43 sites for a broad suite of contaminants, plus coral tissue from eight sites. It was produced by NOAA's National Status and Trends Bioeffects Program to establish baseline data.
Use Cases
- Analyze spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment samples across the study area.
- Correlate total organic carbon (TOC) strata in sediments with concentrations of chlorinated pesticides like DDT and its metabolites.
- Compare contaminant profiles (major and trace elements, butyltins) between sediment samples and mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) tissue from eight sites.
- Assess water quality parameters, such as total nitrogen and total phosphorus, in relation to sediment and coral tissue contamination levels.
- Map georeferenced contaminant data to evaluate pollution within the designated Zone of Special Planning and Natural Reserve.
Strengths
- Data collection follows standard National Status and Trends Program protocols for consistency.
- Analysis covers a broad suite of contaminants including PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, metals, butyltins, and PBDEs across multiple sample types.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited, with 43 sediment sites and only 8 coral tissue collection sites.
- Data is from a single year (2005), providing a snapshot but not temporal trends.
- Geographic scope is restricted to southwest Puerto Rico, limiting broader regional applicability.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), National Status and Trends Bioeffects Program.
- Collection Method
- Field collection of sediment, coral tissue, and water samples using reconnaissance and stratified random sampling based on TOC levels, followed by laboratory contaminant analysis.
- Time Range
- 2005
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Southwest Puerto Rico coastal waters, from Guanica Bay west past La Parguera.