Apalachicola estuary (Figure 21). A 

 linear regression of microdetri tus and 

 river flow by season (Table 5; Figure 22) 

 showed seasonal differences in the 

 relationship of detrital concentration and 

 river flow (Livingston 1981a). During 

 summer periods, there was no direct 

 correlation of river flow and detritus in 

 the estuary. By the fall, there was still 

 no significant relationship although there 

 were occasional influxes of detritus with 

 minor peaks in the river flow. By winter, 

 however, a strong direct relationship was 

 apparent between microdetrital loading and 



rivpr-flow peaks, 

 differed from that 



loading, 



associated 



required 



comoarable 



detritus, 



the degree 



a seasonal 



The winter rearession 



of the spring detrital 



though significantly 



river-flow levels, 



river levels for 



concentrations and loading of 



This analysis indicates that 



and timing of river flooding on 



basis affects the level of 



which, 

 with 

 higher 



detrital loading to the estuary. 



There are various additional sources 

 of al lochthonous nutrients and detritus 

 for the Apalachicola River and estuary 



Table 5. Linear regression (log/log) of total microdetritus (ash-free dry weight) and 

 river flow (m^ sec"l) by month/year by season (August 1975-April 1980), at station 7, 

 located at the mouth of the Apalachicola River. Data are taken from Livingston 

 (1981a). r = Pearson correlation coefficient. 



Station/month 



(Significance of r) 



Station 7 (Surface) 

 June-August 

 September-November 

 December- February 

 March-May 



0.08 

 0.48 

 0.70 

 0.77 



0.?3 

 0.23 

 0.49 

 0.60 



0.39863 

 0.03469 

 0.00188 

 0.00057 



Station 7 (Mid-depth) 

 June-August 

 September-November 

 December-February 



March-May 



0.35 

 0.19 

 0.64 

 0.68 



0.12 

 0.04 

 0.40 

 0.46 



0.11809 

 0.25542 

 0.00570 

 0.00397 



Station 7 (Bottom) 

 June-August 

 September-November 

 December- February 

 March-May 



0.08 

 0.21 

 0.77 

 0.55 



0.01 

 0.04 

 0.60 

 0.30 



0.40243 

 0.22867 

 0.00037 

 0.02253 



30 



