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Sanctuary Waters

There has been a reduction in the number of fecal indicator presence related beach advisories issued since 2005. Both the minimum and maximum sea surface temperatures have risen at least a degree (celsius) since 1985. Nutrient level has varied, likely due to weather events, over the last 20 years, but have not significantly changed. There has been high variability, but the average chlorophyll a concentration, a measure of water column productivity and presence of phytoplankton, has risen in the last 5 years.

The below interactive data visualization tool shows dissolved inorganic phosphorus (PO4), taken in bimonthly research cruises from 2009 through 2019. Click the grey circle to slide the graphic to see change in coastal regions sampled in 2009 and in 2019.