This study presents basic scientific data on the benthic fauna and surface sediments of the nearshore zone of Panama City Beach, Florida, before restoration of the beach, and the results of a study on the effect of Hurricane Eloise on the benthic fauna in the swash zone of Panama City Beach. Surface sediments were analyzed for particle-size distribution, percent carbon, organic carbon and carbonate, and statistical factors. The surface sediments exhibited uniformity over time and location. The benthic invertebrates were represented by 170 species in 26 major taxa. The taxon with the most abundant species (69) was the phylum Polychaeta. The fauna was dominated by 14 species, which constituted 80 percent of the collected individuals. The number of species and the diversity index were lowest in the swash zone and highest at the offshore stations at a depth of 30 feet. Number of individuals was highest in May and August and lowest in November and February. Of the invertebrate species, 21 may be new to science; 15 of the 21 are amphipods and 4 of these are among the most abundant species occurring in the nearshore zone. Correlation of animal abundance to selected sedimentological parameters was low. Mean grain size was the most significant sediment factor tested. The effect of Hurricane Eloise on Panama City Beach was extensive. The beach and primary sand dune were severely eroded. The number of individuals continued to increase for 6 days following the storm; thereafter, it decreased. The number of species increased also, reaching a peak on the third day after the storm, and then it decreased.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Benthic Fauna and Sediments of the Nearshore Zone off Panama City Beach, Florida



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1976


    Size :

    70183395


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :


    Benthic Community Response to Dredging Borrow Pits, Panama City Beach, Florida

    Saloman, Carl H. / Naughton, Steven P. / Taylor, John L. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1982

    Free access

    Geomorphology and Sediments of the Nearshore Continental Shelf: Miami to Palm Beach, Florida

    Duane, David Beirlein / Meisburger, Edward P. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1969

    Free access

    Effects of Beach Replenishment on the Nearshore Sand Fauna at Imperial Beach, California

    Parr, Terence / Diener, Douglas / Lacy, Stephen | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1978

    Free access

    Benthic Fauna of an Offshore Borrow Area in Broward County, Florida

    Turbeville, David B. / Marsh, G. Alex | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1982

    Free access

    Storm Impact Assessment for Beaches at Panama City, Florida

    Farrar, Paul D. / Borgman, Leon E. / Glover, Lanny B. et al. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1994

    Free access