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SCT WORKSHOP PROSPECTUS: Linking Ecotoxicity and Risk Management to Sustainable Restoration of South Florida Ecosystems Synopsis: The intent of this workshop is to bring together research investigators and regulatory officials to identify, discuss and review toxic substance issues m south Florida with specific reference to sustainable restoration of South Florida's Greater Everglades and coastal ecosystems. The workshop will focus on conducting a preliminary evaluation of toxic substances affecting ecological receptors in South Florida ecosystems, and developing a strategic plan to address problems which require further action.
Specific objectives of the workshop are to: Presently, the workshop is being scheduled for October 20 & 21, 1998 m Miami, Florida at the Covens Conference Center at Florida International University - North Campus. Currently, we anticipate inviting 30-40 participants. Proceedings of the workshop will be prepared summarizing key findings and recommendations. These proceedings will be distributed to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force/Working Group, and to various other county, state and federal agencies as well as to the chairman of Florida's Risk-Based Priority. Background and Justification: Most monitoring studies to-date have focused on nutrient dynamics and generated data only on concentrations of contaminants present in different environmental matrices (exposure assessment). Concentrations of some contaminants however either singly or in combination may produce acute and/or chronic adverse effects on both aquatic and terrestrial organisms indigenous to South Florida ecosystems. Safe numerical criteria are not available for all contaminants in South Florida's soil, water and sediment but it has been shown that some contaminants are present at exposure concentrations that exceed safe water and sediment quality criteria for aquatic organisms. Only a limited number of studies are available which correlate contaminant exposure concentrations with biological effects in ecological receptors. Therefore cause-(i.e., contaminant exposure)-and-biological-effect relationships have not been well investigated and ecological risk evaluations for most toxic chemicals in south Florida ecosystems have not been conducted. Organochlorine contamination has been linked to developmental effects in alligators and significant concentrations of organochlorine residues have been noted in the Florida panther population as a result of foraging on raccoons, which may be tied to the aquatic food chain. Although persistent organochlorine pesticides have been banned several other pesticides presently being used on crops have been shown to disrupt endocrine function in animal species through their action as either androgenic or estrogenic effectors. Exposure to pesticides either from agricultural application or mosquito control may also produce effects on the structure and function of aquatic and terrestrial communities. Pesticides however represent only one category of toxic substances potentially impacting ecological receptors in south Florida. Other toxic contaminants present in soil and sediment have the potential to produce acute and chronic, sublethal and lethal effects such as mercury and several heavy metals. Environmental contamination and subsequent ecological effects resulting from chemical exposure has been the focus of widespread public interest over the last 10-15 years in the U.S. While this has many benefits, it sometimes appears that public perception of contamination is not always in accord with scientific reality. This may lead to serious consequences such as ill-advised or cost-ineffective remedial actions, unnecessary legislation, regulation, etc. in am attempt to deal with perceived problems which in fact may not be real or in fact are less serious than others which are less publicized. It is therefore important to gain some realistic idea of the nature and extent of environmental contamination and to assess its biological significance. Thus far monitoring studies have been conducted but there is neither a cohesive synthesis of the monitoring information nor a formal ecological risk assessment of any aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem in south Florida. Submitted by Workshop Organizers/Co-Sponsors [G. M. Rand (Florida International Univ.), M. A. Lewis (EPA), G. I. Scott (NOAA) and G.R. Best (USGS)] and the SCT's Ecotoxicology and Risk Management Scoping Committee. Ecotoxicology and Risk Management Scoping Committee: FL DEP USGS-BRD Dr. Tim Gross NOAA NOAA -- Local Representative EPA State of Florida University System - |
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