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. |
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Pond Tests Performed on April 17, 2008 |
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Test |
Surface |
5 feet |
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Dissolved Oxygen |
8 mg/L 95% Saturation |
8 mg/L 74% Saturation |
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Water Temperature (Celcius) |
18 |
12 |
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Phosphorus |
0.08 mg/L |
0.17 mg/L |
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Nitrates |
<0.25 mg/L |
<0.25 mg/L |
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pH |
7.5 |
7.0 |
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Turbidity |
12 NTU |
15 NTU |
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Secchi-disc visibility = 2.5 feet x 1.7 = 4.25 feet Euphotic Zone Depth |
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Recent Climate Data |
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Pond Tests Performed on January 31, 2008 |
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Test |
Surface |
5 feet |
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Dissolved Oxygen |
11 mg/L 75% Saturation |
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Water Temperature (Celcius) |
0 |
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Phosphorus |
0.5 mg/L |
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Nitrates |
<0.25 mg/L |
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pH |
8.75 |
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Turbidity |
7 NTU |
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Secchi-disc visibility = 1 inch of ice on the surface |
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Recent Climate Data |
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Pond Tests Performed on November 1, 2007 |
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Test |
Surface |
5 feet |
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Dissolved Oxygen |
11 mg/L 105% Saturation |
10 mg/L 89% Saturation |
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Water Temperature (Celcius) |
13 |
10 |
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Phosphorus |
0.04 mg/L |
0.02 mg/L |
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Nitrates |
1.1 mg/L |
1.1 mg/L |
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pH |
7.9 |
7.6 |
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Turbidity |
8 NTU |
8 NTU |
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Secchi-disc visibility = 3 feet x 1.7 = 5.1 feet Euphotic Zone Depth |
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Recent Climate Data |
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Pond Tests Performed on October 30, 2007 |
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Test |
Surface |
5 feet |
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Dissolved Oxygen |
10 mg/L 93% Saturation |
12 mg/L 106% Saturation |
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Water Temperature (Celcius) |
12 |
10 |
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Phosphorus |
0 mg/L |
0 mg/L |
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Nitrates |
0 mg/L |
0 mg/L |
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pH |
7.5 |
7.2 |
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Turbidity |
8 NTU |
9 NTU |
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Secchi-disc visibility = 3 feet x 1.7 = 5.1 feet Euphotic Zone Depth |
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Recent Climate Data |
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