This record provides dissolved inorganic nutrient concentration metrics collected monthly between May 2023 to May 2024 to provide reference data of nearshore and watershed water quality on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The water quality monitoring was conducted at 18 fixed stations. Five stations were selected to quantify Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) stressor loads at key point and non-point sources in the Cabra, Coronel, and Aeropuerto watersheds. Levels of LBSP exposure were measured at 13 nearshore stations co-located with long-term seagrass monitoring sites. Nearshore monitoring sites were selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution management implementation status (LBSP Treatment Group), as follows: 1) LBSP Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the LBSP Restoration stations. 3) Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference stations of low LBSP impairment. Nearshore water quality samples were collected at two depths: surface (10-25 cm ) and bottom (2 m deep). Watershed water quality samples were collected only at surface. Metrics include: Nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus, and silicate. The data presented herein was collected with financial support from NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The research questions, survey design and monitoring localities were specific to this study and the associated water quality data is unsuitable in a regulatory framework.

This record describes water quality inorganic nutrient concentration metrics collected monthly between May 2023 to May 2024 to provide reference data of nearshore and watershed water quality on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The water quality monitoring was conducted at 18 fixed stations. Five stations were selected to quantify Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) stressor loads at key point and non-point sources in the Cabra, Coronel, and Aeropuerto watersheds. Levels of LBSP exposure were measured at 13 nearshore stations co-located with long-term seagrass monitoring sites. Nearshore monitoring sites were selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution management implementation status (LBSP Treatment Group), as follows: 1) LBSP Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the LBSP Restoration stations. 3) Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference stations of low LBSP impairment. Nearshore water quality samples were collected at two depths: surface (10-25 cm ) and bottom (2 m deep). Watershed water quality samples were collected only at surface. Water quality inorganic nutrient concentration metrics include: Nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus, and silica. The research questions, survey design and monitoring localities were specific to this study and the associated water quality data is unsuitable in a regulatory framework. The data presented herein was collected with financial support from NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

This record provides physical, chemical, and pathogenic bacteria water quality metrics collected between February 2023 to January 2025 to provide reference data of nearshore and watershed water quality on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The water quality monitoring was conducted at 18 fixed stations. Five stations were selected to quantify LBSP stressor loads at key points in the Cabra, Coronel, and Aeropuerto watersheds. Levels of land-based pollutant exposure in the nearshore were measured at 13 nearshore stations co-located with long-term seagrass monitoring sites. Nearshore monitoring sites were selected based on subject expert evaluation of watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution LBSP management implementation status (i.e., LBSP Treatment Group) as follows: 1) Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the Restoration sites. 3) LBSP Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference sites of low LBSP impairment. Nearshore water quality parameters were collected at two depths: surface (10-25 cm ) and bottom (2 m deep). Watershed water quality was sampled at surface only. Metrics include: 1. Water physical properties: Temperature, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH. 2. Indicators of water clarity threats: CDOM Colored Dissolved Organic Matter that absorbs light in the blue and UV part of the electromagnetic spectrum, giving water a yellow-brown color; Turbidity; Chlorophyll-a, used to gain insight of phytoplankton primary productivity, measured as fluorescence at two wave lengths, blue and red; and Kd-PAR Attenuation coefficient of Photosynthetic Active Radiation. 3. Indicators of wastewater threats: Optical brighteners which are whitening agents added to laundry soaps, detergents, toilet paper, and cleaning products to brighten fabrics and/or surfaces, are used to detect the presence of household effluent; and Monochloramines, long-lasting disinfectant used to treat drinking water protecting its quality as it moves through distribution pipes, primarily serving as a marker for the effectiveness of water treatment. 4) Indicators of fecal contamination: Fecal coliforms, the group of bacteria found in fecal matter from warm-blooded animals, including humans; Enterococcus, the group of fecal coliforms specifically used to assess water quality in marine and estuarine environments; and E. coli, a specific type of fecal coliform often considered (but not exclusive) a more reliable indicator due to its specific association with human waste.

This record provides physical and chemical water quality metrics collected between February 2023 to January 2025 to provide reference data of nearshore and watershed water quality on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The water quality monitoring was conducted at 18 fixed stations. Five stations were selected to quantify Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) stressor loads at key points in the Cabra, Coronel, and Aeropuerto watersheds. Levels of LBSP exposure were measured at 13 nearshore stations co-located with long-term seagrass monitoring sites. Nearshore monitoring sites were selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution (LBSP management implementation status (LBSP Treatment Group), as follows: 1) LBSP Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the LBSP Restoration stations. 3) Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference stations of low LBSP impairment. Nearshore water quality parameter measurements were collected at two depths: surface (10-25 cm ) and bottom (2 m deep). Metrics include: 1. Water physical properties: Temperature, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH. 2. Indicators of water clarity threats: CDOM (Colored Dissolved Organic Matter), absorbs light in the blue and UV part of the electromagnetic spectrum giving water a yellow-brown color; Turbidity; Chlorophyll-a, used to gain insight of phytoplankton primary productivity, measured as the blue fluorescence emission; and Kd-PAR, the Attenuation coefficient of Photosynthetic Active Radiation. 3. Indicators of wastewater threats: Optical brighteners, which are whitening agents added to laundry soaps, detergents, toilet paper, and cleaning products to brighten fabrics and/or surfaces, are used to detect the presence of household effluent; and Monochloramines, long-lasting disinfectant used to treat drinking water protecting its quality as it moves through distribution pipes, primarily serving as a marker for the effectiveness of water treatment. 4. Indicators of fecal contamination: Fecal coliforms, the group of bacteria found in fecal matter from warm-blooded animals, including humans; Enterococcus, the group of fecal coliforms specifically used to assess water quality in marine and estuarine environments; and E. coli, a specific type of fecal coliform often considered a more reliable indicator due to its specific association with human waste. The data presented herein was collected with financial support from NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

This dataset represents three years of water quality data collected in the South Florida Reef Tract. A standard suite of nutrient parameters (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, urea, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus and silica) monthly from 2016 to 2018.

This shapefile denotes the location of underwater photos and videos taken in shallow water (0-35m) benthic habitats surrounding Northeast Puerto Rico and Culebra Island. The area includes the nearshore waters of Fajardo and Luqillo to the Former Roosevelt Roads Navy Base, the Vieques Sound, La Cordillera Reserve, the Luis Pena Reserve, and the waters around Culebra Island. The GV data contains GPS-positioned underwater photo/videos of selected benthic habitats that were used to enhance thematic maps created by the Biogeography Team. The observations from the videos are used to classify seafloor features and develop a benthic habitat map. The GV data was collected in July 8 - 24, 2013 and October 22- November 7, 2013. The field work was conducted by NOAA together with local DRNA and NOAA contractors.

This dataset contains the nutrient results for an experiment that assessed the effects of elevated NH4 on corals disease susceptibility. Eleven Acropora cervicornis genotypes were selected to conduct a full factorial tank. Replicate coral fragments (n=24 per genotype) were obtained in July-August 2020 from three South Florida coral nurseries and allowed to recover in tanks in the University of Miami and NOAA’s Experimental Reef Lab (ERL). After recovery from handling, the fragments were evenly allocated to one of eight independent tanks at ERL. For a month and a half, four tanks were maintained under ambient nutrients consistent with nutrient levels present in the seawater from Biscayne Bay, and four tanks were exposed to a 10 μM increase in ammonium concentration (n=12 fragments per genotype per nutrient treatment). To achieve and maintain the nutrient concentrations in the elevated ammonium tanks, a stock solution of NH4Cl was constantly added using peristaltic pumps (~ 10 mL of NH4Cl [2.25 mM] every 15 minutes) to replenish nutrient levels and account for the income of new water in the tanks. After 47 days of nutrient treatments, half of each nutrient cohort was challenged with a disease slurry and half with a placebo slurry, and signs of disease were monitored daily. NH4 concentrations were monitored approximately twice a week, and other nutrients (NO2, NO3, PO4, and Si) were estimated for a few time points. Water samples (~ 40 mL) for nutrient analysis were either preserved with 0.5 mL of Chloroform or were frozen until they were processed in the laboratory. The samples were always analyzed for ammonium on a SEAL AA3 Autoanalyzer following EPA methods and NELAC standards. For a few time points phosphate, nitrate+nitrite, nitrite, and silicate were also estimated.

As part of the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network's Estuarine Nutrient Enrichment Monitoring program, Network staff continued to estuarine water quality at several park units. This file contains all data collected during the 2006-2018 field seasons. All data have undergone strict quality control procedures as outlined in the NCBN Estuarine Nutrient Enrichment Monitoring Protocol (https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/661689). Data contained within this database were collected at the following park units: Assateague Island National Seashore, Cape Cod National Seashore, Colonial National Historical Park, Fire Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area, and George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

The Monitoring Section of the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Clean Water Branch collected water quality samples at six sites near the mouth of streams and from the surf line along Bellows Beach, Oahu, Hawaii using well-established instruments and methodologies. This dataset spans 1992-1999. This was a special project beyond the routine state-wide monitoring program.

This record provides sediment trap monitoring data collected periodically between 30 August 2023 and 6 February 2024 at 13 nearshore monitoring stations on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, as part of Culebra's Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to assess the effectiveness of the NOAA strategies and actions in priority watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) impacts to the nearshore marine ecosystems of the island. Monitoring stations were co-located with nearshore water quality monitoring sties and long-term seagrass monitoring transects. Monitoring stations were selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution management implementation status (LBSP Treatment Group), as follows: 1) LBSP Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the LBSP Restoration stations. 3) Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference stations of low LBSP impairment. Two replicate sediment traps were deployed at each monitoring station. Traps were constructed and installed following Storlazzi et al. (2011) with an added honeycomb baffle at the top to reduce turbulence in the trap and prevent sample disturbance by aquatic organisms. Traps were retrieved and redeployed periodically (30-Aug-22 to 6-Feb-23; 6-Feb-23 to 1-May-23; 1-May-23 to 07-Aug-23; 07-Aug-23 to 6-Nov-23; 6-Nov-23 to 6-Feb-24). In the lab, the accumulated sediment from one trap was dried and weighed to estimate accumulation rates (mg/cm2/day). The contents of the second trap were separated into coarse (<2 mm-63 um) and fine (<63 um) fractions, dried and weighed to the estimate accumulation rate, followed by a sequential loss on ignition procedure (following Edmunds & Gray 2014, Heiri et al. 2001) to assess the terrigenous, carbonate, and organic composition. Laboratory analyses were conducted at University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras. Please review the Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan (Vargas-Angel 2024) for a complete methodological description. The data presented herein was collected with financial support from NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The research questions, survey design and monitoring localities were specific to this study and the associated water quality data is unsuitable in a regulatory framework. References: Edmunds, Peter & Gray, Sarah. (2014). The effects of storms, heavy rain, and sedimentation on the shallow coral reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands. Hydrobiologia. 734, 143-158. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-014-1876-7 Heiri, O., Lotter, A. F., & Lemcke, G. (2001) Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: Reproducibility and comparability of results Journal of Paleolimnology, 25, 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008119611481 Storlazzi, C. D., Field, M. E., & Bothner, M. H. (2011). The use (and misuse) of sediment traps in coral reef environments: Theory, observations, and suggested protocols. Coral Reefs, 30(1), 23-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0705-3 Vargas-Angel B (2024D) Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan: Developing a nearshore sediment trap monitoring program to evaluate changes in LBSP exposure in Culebra, Puerto Rico. Available at: