EPA Research in Florida

Explore EPA's research across the United States.

EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in Florida.

Research for Tampa Bay
Real-Time Water Distribution System Analysis
Communicating Technical Guidance for Safely Remediating Flooded Homes
Effects of Microplastics on Atlantic Stony Corals
Monitoring the Health of the Perdido Bays Estuary
Assessing Sediment Habitat Quality using Novel Remote Sensing Technologies
Arsenic Bioavailability in Contaminated Creek Sediment

For more EPA work, see EPA in Florida.

Research for Tampa Bay

EPA researchers in the Office of Research and Development have been working with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) for more than 20 years to help protect the water quality, habitat and benefits provided by Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest open water estuary. Projects have covered a wide range of subjects, including nutrient assessment and monitoring, aquatic habitats, assessing the benefits (ecosystem services) that the estuary provides, and setting management targets for recovery and restoration. In one innovative project, EPA researchers used historic data to document and illustrate the loss of seagrass habitat over time, then worked with local partners to set seagrass restoration targets. Learn more about this work.

Real-Time Water Distribution System Analysis

EPA's tool EPANET-RTX gives water utilities the necessary tools to enhance system operations including emergency response and improved operations, e.g., better pressure management, leak detection and water quality. EPANET-RTX has been tested or demonstrated in several locations including Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, and Michigan.

Communicating Technical Guidance for Safely Remediating Flooded Homes

EPA's Office of Research and Development, in collaboration with EPA Region 4, created an innovative risk communication strategy to produce materials targeted to people impacted by flooding. EPA and partners interviewed residents of Florida and other states who had recently experienced flooding due to Hurricanes Dorian, Michael, and Irma. The researchers then created a website tailored to homeowners, renters and volunteers working to fix up flooded homes: Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance.

Effects of Microplastics on Atlantic Stony Corals

EPA's Office of Research and Development conducted laboratory studies to determine the size of microplastics that corals can ingest, if microplastics are retained once ingested, and the long- and short term effects on growth. Coral and water samples were collected from Florida’s coral reef. Findings can be used to know the potential and actual risks of microplastics on coral, determine potential sources of microplastic pollution, and to implement improved management applications to minimize microplastic exposure to coral.

Monitoring the Health of the Perdido Bays Estuary

EPA's Office of Research and Development, in collaboration with EPA Region 4, worked with the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) team to develop and implement a probabilistic sampling strategy. Water, sediment, fish measurements, and samples were taken and analyzed for pollutant, toxicity, and biological characteristics. EPA staff provided the technical support for the survey design, training, field logistics and sample collection. The results will serve as a baseline for the PPBEP to monitor progress in restoring and maintaining the resilience of the Pensacola and Perdido Bays and the community benefits derived from healthy productive estuaries.

Assessing Sediment Habitat Quality using Novel Remote Sensing Technologies

Bayou Chico in Escambia County, Florida, is an urban estuary considered one of the most historically contaminated water bodies in the state. Despite recent efforts to improve surface water quality, sediments remain impacted by fecal coliform bacteria, excess nutrients, and legacy contaminants. EPA Office of Research and Development scientists, in collaboration with EPA Region 4, deployed the Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) camera system in Bayou Chico. Sediment and biological features that can be identified in the imagery will be evaluated to identify possible relationships between these measures and known stress gradients in the Bayou.

Arsenic Bioavailability in Contaminated Creek Sediment

EPA's Office of Research and Development, in collaboration with EPA Region 4, collected As-contaminated sediments from the on-site retention pond and along a creek near the Fairfax Street Wood Treaters facility, a Superfund site in Jacksonville, FL. Elevated levels of As in the pond and creek were detected. Once detected, researchers performed toxicity tests and analysis of bacterial community composition. The results showed that EPA Method 1340 could be developed for ecological risk assessments. The results from sampling also helped to show As in the sediments did not pose an ecological risk.