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Request to DiscontinueRequest to DiscontinueProject HGOSProject HGOS

Request to DiscontinueRequest to DiscontinueProject HGOSProject HGOS

Prepared for the Prepared for the Technical Oversight CommitteeTechnical Oversight Committee

6/30/096/30/09

Mark Gabriel, Ph.D.Mark Gabriel, Ph.D.South Florida Water Management DistrictSouth Florida Water Management District

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Project Background and History

Project HGOS involves the quarterly collection of Project HGOS involves the quarterly collection of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in surface watersurface water

Collections have occurred at multiple stations (~20) Collections have occurred at multiple stations (~20) throughout the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) throughout the Everglades Protection Area (EPA) since 2000since 2000

HGOS was established in 2000 as a modification to HGOS was established in 2000 as a modification to existing monitoring programsexisting monitoring programs

The intent of establishing HGOS was to incorporate The intent of establishing HGOS was to incorporate improvements in sampling methodologies and improvements in sampling methodologies and analytical capabilities for surface water mercury analytical capabilities for surface water mercury monitoringmonitoring

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Current HGOS Monitoring Stations

*S12A

*Station S12A is under project PIN (Project Inflow North)

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Justification for Discontinuing Project HGOS

1. There has been no exceedance of the Florida Water Quality Standard of 12 ng/L for THg (Chapter

62-302, F.A.C.); There is no WQS for MeHg

WQS WQS

WQS WQS

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Justification for Discontinuing Project HGOS (Cont.)

2. HGOS data is not applicable to area loading calculations

3. The research-related value of the HGOS data is limited

An attempt was made to use HGOS THg/MeHg data to predict the spatial concentrations in fish throughout the EPA but there is only one HGOS station that overlaps a fish collection station (P33 [HGOS surface water], L67 [HGFS fish])

4. The main focal point with regard to evaluating ecosystem mercury contamination is observing levels in fish tissue, feathers, etc.

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Current fish THg monitoring stations

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5. Percent MeHg* levels for all HGOS stations are similar to stations collected throughout the EPA indicating no cause for concern: From 2000 to present mean percentage of MeHg was 14.5% for HGOS project and 16% for all other projects

6. The HGOS project is not mandated or used by any other project

7. All District Everglades (ECP, CERP) projects have surface water THg and MeHg monitoring

* (MeHg/THg)*100

Justification for Discontinuing Project HGOS (Cont.)

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Current surface water THg and MeHg monitoring stations

S390, S392

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8. Overall, the HGOS program cost outweighs the benefits (~$30K/year [includes FTE time, sample analysis, and transportation])

Justification for Discontinuing Project HGOS (Cont.)

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Recommendation

Stop sampling for project HGOS, effective immediately, and start the process for discontinuing

the project