Water Chemistry Tests
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The bioretention pond will be regularly monitored for dissolved oxygen, water temperature, phosphorus and nitrate levels, pH, and turbidity. These factors were chosen in order to monitor the succession (the aging) of our pond. As a pond becomes more eutrophic (older) dissolved oxygen levels drop, the water temperature rises, phosphorus and nitrogen levels also rise, and the water becomes more turbid (a measure of murkiness). Each of the tests will also allow us to analyze the overall health of our pond since the pond contains parking lot water filtered by our bioretention system. Nitrogen and phosphorus levels are deemed to be the most important indicators for pollution and eutrophication. Dissolved oxygen levels are not only affected by temperature, salinity, plant respiration, and the amount of organic material present, but also by organic pollution and eutrophication.
Acceptable Readings
Dissolved Oxygen
Percent Saturation between 60-100%
Phosphorus
< 0.1 mg/L
Nitrates
< 0.5 mg/L
pH
6.5-8.2
Temperature 5-25 Celcius

 

April 17, 2008 Data

January 31, 2008 Data

November 1, 2007 Data

October 30, 2007 Data

 

Pond Tests Performed on April 17, 2008
Test
Surface
5 feet
 
Dissolved Oxygen

8 mg/L

95% Saturation

8 mg/L

74% Saturation

 
Water Temperature (Celcius)
18
12
  
Phosphorus
0.08 mg/L
0.17 mg/L
 
Nitrates
<0.25 mg/L
<0.25 mg/L
 
pH
7.5
7.0
  
Turbidity
12 NTU
15 NTU
 
Secchi-disc visibility = 2.5 feet x 1.7 = 4.25 feet Euphotic Zone Depth
Recent Climate Data
04/17/08
04/16/08
04/15/08
04/14/08
04/13/08

Temp Hi/Lo
Fahrenheit

76/54
72/42
60/29
50/33
43/36
Precip (in)
0
0
0
0
.07

Pond Tests Performed on January 31, 2008
Test
Surface
5 feet
 
Dissolved Oxygen

11 mg/L

75% Saturation

   
Water Temperature (Celcius)
0
    
Phosphorus
0.5 mg/L
   
Nitrates
<0.25 mg/L
   
pH
8.75
    
Turbidity
7 NTU
   
Secchi-disc visibility = 1 inch of ice on the surface
Recent Climate Data
01/27/08
01/28/08
01/29/08
01/30/08
01/31/08

Temp Hi/Lo
Fahrenheit

58/21
54/32
69/16
31/12
28/22
Snowing
Precip (in)
0
0.04
0.08
0
3 inches
Pond Tests Performed on November 1, 2007
Test
Surface
5 feet
 
Dissolved Oxygen

11 mg/L

105% Saturation

10 mg/L

89% Saturation

 
Water Temperature (Celcius)
13
10
 
Phosphorus
0.04 mg/L
0.02 mg/L
  
Nitrates
1.1 mg/L
1.1 mg/L
 
pH
7.9
7.6
  
Turbidity
8 NTU
8 NTU
 
Secchi-disc visibility = 3 feet x 1.7 = 5.1 feet Euphotic Zone Depth
Recent Climate Data
10/28/07
10/29/07
10/30/07
10/31/07
11/01/07

Temp Hi/Lo
Fahrenheit

60/33
63/30
71/32
72/43
60/33
Sunny
Precip (in)
0
0
0
0
0
Pond Tests Performed on October 30, 2007
Test
Surface
5 feet
 
Dissolved Oxygen

10 mg/L

93% Saturation

12 mg/L

106% Saturation

 
Water Temperature (Celcius)
12
10
 
Phosphorus
0 mg/L
0 mg/L
  
Nitrates
0 mg/L
0 mg/L
 
pH
7.5
7.2
  
Turbidity
8 NTU
9 NTU
 
Secchi-disc visibility = 3 feet x 1.7 = 5.1 feet Euphotic Zone Depth
Recent Climate Data
10/26/07
10/27/07
10/28/07
10/29/07
10/30/07

Temp Hi/Lo
Fahrenheit

57/47
64/47
60/33
63/30
71/32
Sunny
Precip (in)
1.25
0
0
0
0