Researchers concerned with contaminated water impact on dolphins near Piney Point Right now dolphin researchers are concerned about how the contaminated water released at Piney Point could impact dolphins. and last updated 2021-04-14 15:56:19-04 PALMETTO, Fla. â Right now, dolphin researchers are concerned about how the contaminated water released at Piney Point could impact dolphins. The pristine water in the preserves near Port Manatee in Tampa Bay are normally lush with marine life including a community of dolphins that have been living there for more than 30 years, but right now, theyâre nowhere to be seen. "So far weâve seen very few dolphins in our surveys centered on Piney Point. We donât know where theyâve gone," said Randall Wells, the director of the Chicago Zoological Societyâs Sarasota Dolphin Research Program.