CITIZEN SCIENCE DATA

In order to understand complex ecological problems, you need large amounts of data that is consistently collected over a long period of time.

ORCA scientists and community members are working together to gather data needed to optimize conservation efforts.

Explore Pollution Mapping Data

Pollution Mapping Citizen Science Project

This project involves on-going comprehensive monitoring of specific sites within the Indian River Lagoon. During each quarterly monitoring event, citizen scientists measure basic water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and alkalinity), measure muck depth, and collect both water and sediment samples to be brought back to the Center for Citizen Science for analyses. Once at the lab, citizen scientists composite and prepare samples for particle analysis, as well as measure nutrient concentrations (ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, and phosphate) in both water column and pore water samples. Additional analyses of these samples include relative toxicity, glyphosate, and atrazine. Click here to see the data.

72

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

25

PROJECT SITES

Explore Fish Monitoring Data

One Health Fish Monitoring Citizen Science Project

This project tests for toxins and toxicants in fish from the Indian River Lagoon and connecting waterways. Current analyses in this project include: heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium), cyanotoxins (microcystin and saxitoxin), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Additional analyses coming soon include: pharmaceuticals, controlled substances and parasites. See preliminary data below.

250

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

960

FISH ANALYZED

This data below was collected between 2019 and March 2023, and will be periodically updated.   If you’d like to see additional data, please e-mail your request to fish@teamorca.org.

As we try and better understand the sources of pollution into the aquatic waterways and ultimately into fish that are commonly consumed, we aim to acquire fish samples from all counties along the Indian River Lagoon and the connecting fresh waterways. At this time, most of our fish are from Brevard (n=347) and Indian River (n= 398) Counties while St. Lucie and Martin County have contributed the fewest (148 and 84 fish, respectively). Our goal is to have equal distribution of samples across all counties.
Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide worldwide and is actively used in agriculture and residential areas alike to control the growth of weeds. The incorporation of glyphosate into this project allows us to better understand the impact this herbicide has on the lagoon system and the extent it is accumulating through the marine food web. Glyphosate has been detected in 100% of the fish analyzed for glyphosate to date (n=116). The graph above shows average glyphosate concentrations in fish tissue per fish species (n=65) based on a half-pound serving size. The fish listed in this graph represent species identified via ORCA's fisher surveys as being most commonly consumed in the Indian River Lagoon.
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and food, however, at high concentrations mercury is a major health concern. Mercury affects the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes. Fish absorb mercury through their gills as they swim and through their digestive tracts as they eat. While all fish caught and donated to the project are tested for mercury, this graph highlights the fish that have the highest average mercury concentration at this time (mg/kg). Mercury concentrations range from 0.18 ± 0.05 mg/kg in American Silver Perch to 0.53 ± n/a (n=1) in Amber Jack. Please note that at this time, sample sizes vary between species.
This graph represents preliminary average mercury concentrations in fillets (based on a half-pound serving size) of the most commonly consumed species (n=367). Seven out of 10 fish species exceed the EPA/FDEP guideline for pregnant women and children but fall below the EPA/FDA guideline for the general population. At this time, Bluefish and Spotted Seatrout contain average mercury concentrations that exceed the EPA/FDA guideline for the general population, while average mercury concentration in Black Drum fall below both guidelines.
Microplastics and the toxins associated with their exposure and ingestion are of concern to ecological health. As part of this project, citizen scientists and ORCA staff enumerate the number of microplastics present per fish fillet/tissue and stomach. Seventy-seven percent of all fish tissue samples (n=39) showed a presence of microplastics (range 0-10). This data is considered preliminary based on the low sample size. Fifty-seven percent of fish stomachs (n=488) showed a presence of microplastics (range 0- 21).
We also categorize the microplastics by type /shape and color. At this time, 80% of microplastics identified in fish stomach samples were fibers followed by 12% fragments. Most microplastic fibers are derived from synthetic clothing, textiles, ropes, and tarps while fragments are derived from sturdy plastics and bottles.
When categorizing the microplastics by color, blue, black, and transparent represent the predominant colors in all fish stomach samples (75%).
Nearly all microplastics identified in fish tissue samples at this time are fibers and fragments (46% and 39%, respectively). Please note that this data is considered preliminary based on the low sample size. We are working hard to continue analyzing more samples.
Blue, black, and pink represent the predominant colors in all fish tissue samples (76%). Please note that this data is considered preliminary based on the low sample size. We are working hard to continue analyzing more samples.
An important component of ORCA’s One Health Fish Monitoring project is to better understand the potential impact that pollution accumulating in fish may have on human health. One way we can better understand this potential risk is by conducting fisher surveys. Some of the information received from these surveys include fisher demographics, species commonly consumed and approximate serving size. To date, 141 local fishers were surveyed of which 84% were males compared to just 16% females and other. With regards to the age of those consuming the fish caught, 54% were between 18-64 years and 35% were over the age of 65 years. The surveys also identifies the parts of the fish that more likely consumed by the fishers. Most individuals surveyed stated they consume the fillet (83%), skin (13%), and eggs (4%). As more surveys are distributed across the lagoon, we will better understand the risk pollutants have on fish and potentially human health. If you fish in the lagoon AND consume the fish you catch, please consider filling out our survey.
Previous image
Next image

Dive into Team ORCA’s Citizen Science blog to read about the importance of data collection, why we monitor, the significance of citizen science and more!