Insights from Piney Point: Using convergent research to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic nutrients on nearshore ecosystems

Coastal eutrophication threatens numerous ecological and economical resources of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, marshes, and seagrasses. In April 2021, the Piney Point phosphate mine garnered national attention as 215 million gallons of nutrient rich water were released into Tampa Bay, Florida. The release of this nitrogen and phosphorus-rich water into Tampa Bay a region that has been a restoration success story since the 1990s has prompted ongoing discussions of how to best manage nearshore anthropogenic nutrients to promote the health of the bay. Starting in April 2021, and continuing into Fall 2021, we undertook bi-weekly sampling of sites throughout the Bay to monitor changes in nutrients, stable isotopes, and phytoplankton communities over the course of the spring and summer. Four sites were also continuously monitored for dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, pH, and chlorophyll with a YSI Exo2 sonde. Our data complement the long-term monitoring efforts of our regional partners, the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay Estuary Programs, to better understand the effects of anthropogenic nutrients on the health of these valuable estuarine systems. Work is ongoing to assess the extent of ecosystem effects of the Piney Point release and highlights the renewed need for comprehensive nutrient management strategies and convergent research to assess and manage the consequences of anthropogenic nutrient inputs into coastal ecosystems.