Environmental Permitting Studies 

 

Water Quality Study     Seagrass Survey     Wetland Delineation     Sediment Mapping     Reef Construction

 

Water Quality Study
NSN was contracted to perform a water quality study and flushing analysis of the waters throughout a marina in Saint Petersburg , FL.  The purpose of the project was to determine if the marina waters were flushing in a timely fashion, as well as to examine the water quality throughout the marina using a variety of parameters and establish whether permitting standards were being met.  Some of these parameters included dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, and temperature.  A collection of hand-held and automated instruments were used in conjunction with bathymetric data in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the hydrologic and chemical dynamics in this system.  The following graphics and plots are some examples of the approach that we implemented and the results that were obtained.

 

*Click on graphics below to enlarge.

pH Contour Map Salinity Contour Map Water Temp Map YSI DO Levels

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Seagrass Survey
NSN mapped the sea grass distribution to determine if the sea grass coverage extends as far north and to the east of the shoreline as in the year 2000.  Transect lines were snorkeled along transects perpendicular to shore, spaced 25 feet apart, and GPS locations were recorded.   The western and southern sides of the boat channel were mapped continuously by snorkeling along the sea grass bed edge and recording a GPS position at each change of direction.  The data were then mapped and overlaid on the 2000 aerial photograph for comparison.  The surveyed sea grass distribution from July of 2004 follows the 2000 aerial photograph of coverage with only small variations.  The general trend is that less dense, un-compacted fill sediments comprise the sediments that have washed into existing dredged channels and basins.  Typically these sediments are comprised of organic silty sands.  In the boat channel the strong tidal currents have filled the boat channel with shelly sand.  There are almost no organic silts in this sediment profile.  The more contained basin has trapped more organic silts due to its morphology and 8 foot depth.

The pictures below are typical seagrasses found in the Florida Coastal environment.

Halodule

Thalassia

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Wetland Delineation
NSN performed this wetland delineation in Brevard County .  The wetland line was surveyed and flagged in the field with marking tape and a GPS coordinate was taken to mark the exact location of the line.  The GPS coordinates were then overlaid on a 2004 aerial image to show the extent of the wetland systems. 

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Sediment Mapping
Anclote River - Silt Identification
NSN performed a series of two marine MER transects across a canal for the purpose of identifying the thickness of silt deposit.  Push probes were performed every 2 meters along the transect to calibrate the MER graphic. In conclusion, MER is a fast, capable, and extremely accurate method of identifying the thickness of silt layers in a marine environment.

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Reef Construction
The Pub Restaurant - NSN constructed an aquaculture reef beneath an existing dock to provide habitat as remediation for expansion of the marina.  The reef dimensions were 3 feet wide by 60 feet long and 3 feet high.  The live rock reef construction began with the placement of 7000 pounds of rock.  Due to partial subsidence of the rock substrate into the silty sediments, an additional 3000 pounds of rock was placed to ensure the proper reef height of 3 feet. 

The reef construction took place in November 2002

Rock - 2 years later

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More Environmental Permitting Projects

*Click on graphics below to enlarge

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 Port Hudson

NSN performed sediment, water quality and hydrologic analysis for permitting a slip expansion of the marina in Hudson, FL.

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Pasadena Marina

NSN performed sediment analysis, water quality monitoring, hydrographic evaluation and benthic resource mapping for the dredging and marina expansion in Gulfport, FL

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Pasadena Yacht and Country Club

NSN performed sediment analysis, water quality monitoring, hydrographic evaluation and benthic resource mapping for the dredging and marina expansion in Gulfport, FL. 

NSN is also providing annual water and sediment quality monitoring services.

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Anclote Village Marina

NSN performed sediment analysis, water quality monitoring, hydrographic evaluation and benthic resource mapping for the dredging and marina expansion in Tarpon Springs, FL 

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Galati Marina

NSN performed water and sediment quality, hydrographic analysis and benthic resource mapping for the re-construction of the marina in Sarasota, FL

 

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Thunder Marina

NSN monitored dredging of marina basin and channel.

Mapping biota and sea grasses for permitting dock construction at Barefoot Point, Islamorada, Florida.

Mapping biota and sea grasses for permitting dock construction for Maison Matecumbe in Islamorada, Florida.

Soils assessment and environmental permitting for Drax Hall Marina Construction at Columbus Cove, Jamaica

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