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Environmental Science: Everglades Ecosystem

Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are built wetlands designed to enhance water quality by

treating stormwater runoff before it enters natural water bodies. The primary aim is to decrease the

levels of pollutants, including nutrients and contaminations, in the water. STAs use the natural

processes occurring in wetlands to erase pollutants. Wetland vegetation and microbes aid decay and

absorb pollutants.

Mercury poses a critical risk to the Everglades environs. The main concern is the

bioaccumulation of methylmercury, a very toxic form of mercury, in the food chain. Once in the water,

mercury undergoes transformations and is methylated by microorganisms. Methylmercury then

accumulates in marine organisms, accompanying concentrations increasing as it moves up the food

chain. This bioaccumulation presents risks to wildlife and humans who consume contaminated fish.

The concerns about mercury contamination in South Florida, specifically in the Everglades, date

back to the 1970s. The region's closeness to industrial, agricultural, and residential extents has

facilitated the runoff of pollutants into the environment. Natural determinants involve the presence of

conditions that promote mercury methylation, such as the ampleness of dissolved organic carbon

(DOC), organic substrates (peat), and low to neutral pH in wetland environments like the Everglades.

Human activities contribute to the issue through the discharge of mercury into the air, primarily from

coal combustion, waste incineration, and industrial processes.

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Excess nutrients in the Everglades, notably phosphorus and nitrogen, are a cause for concern as

they can bring about eutrophication. Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies receive an

abundance of nutrients, inspiring the overgrowth of algae and other marine plants. This excessive plant

development can disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem, leading to concerns such as harmful

algal blooms.

Exotic species often enter in the Everglades through human activities such as the release of pets,

intentional introductions for landscaping or agriculture, or unintended transport via boats and other

means. Exotic species can outcompete native species for resources, interrupt ecosystems, and change

the natural dynamics of the Everglades. They may lack natural predators, leading to population

explosions that can have cascading effects on the native flora and fauna.

Exotic Plant Species:

• Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

• Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)

• Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

Exotic Animal Species:

• Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)

• Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

• Lionfish (Pterois spp.)

Mercury in the Everglades primarily derives from atmospheric deposition, originating from

natural origins like volcanic activity and human activities such as coal combustion. Mercury is

distributed into the air, travels long distances, and enters the Everglades through precipitation.

Industrial, agricultural, and residentiary areas contribute to runoff, while sulfate contamination, often

from agricultural runoff, stimulates microorganisms that methylate inorganic mercury.

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Work Cited

South Florida Water Management District. "South Florida Water Management District." South

Florida Water Management District,

https://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/pg_grp_sfwmd_aboutsfwmd/pg_sfwmd_home2.

U.S. National Park Service. "U.S. National Park Service." National Park Service,

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm.

U.S. Geological Survey. "U.S. Geological Survey." USGS,

http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/wild_wet_eco/.