1980 
Stoneburner, D. L., and J. A. Kushlan (1984) Heavy metal burdens in American crocodile 
eggs from Florida Bay, Florida, USA. J. Herpetol. . 18(2): 192-3. 
Nine unhatched eggs of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) were collected in 
Florida Bay in 1980 and the levels of heavy metals determined. The egg samples were 
partitioned into shell and albumin-yolk mass. These two samples were lyophilized and 
metal level determinations, with the exception of Hg, were made after HN0 3 /H 2 0 2 
digestion of the lyophilized material using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. 
NIST SRM 1577, Bovine Liver, was used as part of the quality assurance protocol. The 
elements determined were Al, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Sr, Mo, Cd, Hg, and Pb. 
1980 
Ullman, W. J., and R. C. Alter (1985) The geochemistry of iodine in near-shore carbonate 
sediments. Geochim. Cosmochim. A. . 49(4):967-78. 
The total concentration of I is commonly higher in surface terrigenous sediments 
relative to more deeply buried material. Diagenetic release, loss of dissolved I during 
burial, and back-reaction of I with the solid phase under oxidizing conditions contribute 
to I enrichment near the sediment/water interface. In order to differentiate between 
scavenging of dissolved I by organic matter or metal oxides, the diagenetic behavior of 
I was examined in the Fe-poor carbonate sediments of Florida Bay. In this environment, 
I is released by organic decomposition at l/C ratios similar to terrigenous 
environments (~0.5 mmole mole' 1 ), transported to the oxygenated sediment/water 
interface, and lost to the overlying water. The dissolved I flux from these deposits is 
roughly equivalent to the production rate within the deposit (-10 nmole m' 2 day' 1 at 
28°C). No significant enrichment was observed in the solid phase. Dissolved iodine 
transport within the sediment column may also be controlled by non-steady-state 
lateral diffusion into burrows. These observations, together with laboratory 
experiments which demonstrate lO 3 * scavenging by Fe-oxyhydroxides at pH < 8, imply 
that enrichment of I in terrigenous surface sediments results predominantly from the 
initial oxidation of I* to lO 3 ' by microorganisms, followed by sorption on Fe oxides. Upon 
burial and reduction during anaerobic decomposition, this metal-associated I is released 
to solution, in a manner similar to phosphate. Sampling took place at Crab Key Bank and 
Captain's Key Bank in 1980. 
1980 - 1981 
Mazzotti, F. J., J. A. Kushlan, and A. C. Dunbar-Cooper (1988) Desiccation and cryptic nest 
flooding as probable causes of egg mortality in the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, 
in Everglades National Park, Florida. Fla. Sci. . 51(2):65-71. 
Flooding and desiccation probably caused mortality of eggs of the American Crocodile 
(Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park. Flooding was subterranean with no 
sign evident above ground. Apparent desiccation occurred in a year (1981) of 
abnormally low rainfall. The timing of nesting seems to be rigidly scheduled, with the 
developmental period bracketed by possibly desiccating and flooding conditions. The 
success of this strategy is shown by the relatively low rate of embryonic mortality in 
most years. 
1980 - 1983 
Merriam, D. F., C. E. Sorensen and R. V. Jenkins (1987) Modern carbonate sediments in 
Shell Key Basin, Florida Bay. Symp. on the Geology of South Florida. Miami Geol. Soc. Mem. . 
3:73-90. 
[NO COPY OF PAPER AVAILABLE. ABSTRACT FROM SCHMIDT (1991).] Shell Key Basin, 
bordered on the east by Upper Matecumbe Key and mangrove islands on the west within 
the boundaries of the Everglades National Park in Florida Bay was studied through a 
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