About the Project
The Water Quality Restoration for Coastal Subdivision Retention Ponds project is an integrated study aimed at determining links between residential land use and pond water quality in the coastal zone.
Coastal retention ponds are part of the Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs were established to control quantity and quality of storm water runoff to the natural aquatic ecosystems.
Retention ponds constructed in commercial and residential developments serve important functions such as:
- Flood control
- Collecting contaminants from the land and allowing them to settle out into sediments, reducing discharge into aquatic systems
- Wildlife Habitat
- Aesthetic value
- Recreational uses (boating, fishing, swimming)
Some common water quality problems in retention ponds include:
- High nutrient levels in water
- Algal blooms development (view an image of an algal bloom)
- Algal toxin concentration
- Water discoloration
- Bad odor
- Chemical contamination (use of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides)
- Bacterial contamination (fecal coliform bacteria)
The principal goal of the research focuses on the water quality restoration of coastal retention ponds with management applications and community education and involvement.