Conclusions
- Strong South-North gradient in runoff from the land surface
- Nearly all water evaporates from bays, little exchange with the Gulf
- Nonpoint sources are main loading source for most constituents
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, oil & grease loads are consistent with observed concentrations in the bays
- Metals loads from land account for only a small part of observed concentrations in bays - a reservoir of metals in the bay sediments?