ASSESSMENT OF FLORIDA'S BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY STANDARD IN WATSON BAYOU OF THE ST. ANDREW BAY SYSTEM, BAY COUNTY

The biological integrity of contaminated sediments in Watson Bayou was evaluated. Results demonstrated the applicability of the biological integrity standard for estuarine systems in the State of Florida and the value of sediment quality guidelines in the development of sediment standards. Regardless of how the biological integrity data were examined, the results consistently showed that the sediments from Watson Bayou failed to meet the standard. A significant negative association between biological metrics and sediment contamination was also found. However, this comparison was performed between the highly contaminated sediments of Watson Bayou and the relatively pristine sediments found in bayous associated with North Bay.