The Trophic States of Lakes and Ponds: Oldham Pond - Essay Example

Oldham Pond Trophic s of Lakes and Ponds A pond’s trophic can be quantitatively described by utilizing Carlson’s TSI for comparison of lakes (Ansari 50). Oligotropic bodies of water are those water bodies with TSI being less than 40. Ponds that have TSI values of between 40 and 50 are referred to as mesotrophic. Those ponds that possess a TSI value of between 50 and 70 are termed as eutrophic with those having a TSI value above 70 being termed hypereutrophic (Ansari 50). Eutrophication is the response prevalent in the ecosystem due to addition of natural or artificial substances/ elements like phosphates and nitrates, which can get into water bodies in the form of sewage and/or fertilizer. An example of a response by the ecosystem would be a spurt in the population of phytoplankton in the aquatic body, due to an upsurge in the nutrient level (John & Eugene 109). This phenomenon has such negative effects on the environment as hypoxia, which is oxygen depletion in the water. On top of promoting an increase in phytoplankton levels, it also promotes plant decay, while seeming to favor natural plankton and algae as compared to more developed plants. This plant decay causes a substantial reduction in the quality of the water, as well as depletion of aquatic oxygen during decomposition of algae, which causes death of fish. Eutrophication decreases the recreational value of water bodies, hurting tourism. The premise of this paper is to study Oldham pond and its tributaries and evaluate the effects of eutrophication. Results Table 1: SW Shore, Oldham Pond, N. Haledon NJ Trace Winds; 10:30 A.M. February 4, 2012; 2.8°C air temp Surface 1 meter depth Temp °C 5.4 5.0 D.O. mg/L 11.13 9.5 Conductivity uS 335 335 (As per electronic measurement) pH~~8.0 Total Alkalinity: 1) 8.2mlx10= 82.0 2)8.1mlx10= 81.0 Table 2: SW Shore, Oldham Pond, N. Haledon NJ Windy (wind advisory sunny); 10:30 A.M. February 25, 2012; 5.0°C air temp Surface Bottom 1 meter depth Temp °C 6.1 5.2 5.2 D.O. mg/L 11.4 .13 11.3 Conductivity uS 297 293 293 (as per electronic measurement) pH~~7.5-8.0 Total Alkalinity: 1) 8.0mlx10= 80.0 2)7.4mlx10= 74.0 Conductivity of the pond was measured using a portable conductivity metre. Conductivity is the measurement of how much material found dissolved in the pond. Polluted ponds have more dissolved solute than clean ponds. Conductivity below 250 is preferable, with upward of 600 being the cause for alarm. Measurement of temperature was done using a thermometer, while the levels of dissolved oxygen were measured using a dissolve oxygen electrode (Ansari 90). The sampling was carried out on the 4th and 25th of February, 2012. For the organisms in the pond, Ad Libitum sampling was used, where much information about the organisms was measured (John & Eugene 106). According to the results, the temperature of the water was comparable to that of the surrounding air. The slight difference is the difference in conductivity of heat by air and water. Dissolved oxygen levels were also concurrent to those that are recommendable (11 mg/l). Conductivity, however, was found to be higher than recommended. Recommended conductivity is below 250 (Boqiang et al 100). On the alkalinity front, the water was around the recommended range of pH, that of natural waters, which is given at 7.5-8.0. Therefore, the pond was fairly well buffered. It was worth noting, however, that the water seemed slightly cloudy and unclear. Discussion Fig 1 Oldham pond, a small fresh water body, is located in North Haledon, New Jersey, and is the property of William Patterson University. It is in Passaic County. It sits on 15 acres of land. Oldham pond’s major tributaries are Molly Ann brook, which is fed Squaw brook and spring brook south of Overlook Avenue, and another stream that drains mount Cecchino’s southwestern side and High Mountain (John & Eugene 56). Molly Ann Brook then drains the pond. The pond is a 0.94 km2 water body In Hanson, Massachusetts and Pembroke. It acts as a tributary for Furnace pond and has three islands located in it. It lies between 42004 00’’N and 70050 ‘10”W. Molly Ann Brook was once a notorious flooder, carrying storm waters into Oldham pond. Over time, this led to the siltation of Oldham pond, especially as the residents decided to wall up Molly Ann Brook in order to contain its waters. During this walling up, digging caused a lot of silt to deposit in the pond. In addition, this silt was deposited over time by the storm waters. Taking into consideration that the pond has been in existence since the 19th century at the latest, the sedimentation has gone on for a while (Boqiang et al 110). There is a remarkably high concentration of housing and a summer camp around the pond and this has come with its drawbacks. Leaking sewers from time to time, coupled with dumping of treated sewage water into Molly Ann Brook and use of inorganic fertilizers are the main culprits. Most inhabitants own small flower gardens that were fertilized inorganically. Storm runoff into Molly Ann brook carried with it these fertilizers into the pond (László & Gerrit 78). This created a problem that it was closed for nine weeks for treatment with phycomycin. However, Phosphorous and Nitrogen build up is still a problem, with suggestions that this was caused by septic seepage, use of lawn fertilizer and effluent from the cranberry bog. Stopgap measures using aeration and phychomycin seemed to work for a short time. Ultimately, the problem of Phosphorous will only be solved by dredging (László & Gerrit 90). The dredging, however, is said to cost about $22 million. The eutrophication of the pond has led to invasion of the pond by new species, due in part to abundance of limiting nutrients. There was also a report of decreased biodiversity, as algal blooms decreased the amount of sunlight reaching bottom dwelling organisms. Decreased oxygen content in the water also kills off some species that cannot tolerate low oxygen levels. Authorities in Pembroke have put measures in place to contain this menace. The New Jersey Fertilizer law, A2290 established guidelines to guide fertilizer use (Walter & Matt 78). Some requirements include limiting the duration within, which it can be used, for example not during 15 November1 March. In addition, one cannot use fertilizer before or after heavy rainfall, while the law also limits the amount of Nitrogen used for every application per year. It is also illegal to apply fertilizer on frozen ground, and within 25 feet of a waterway (Walter & Matt 79). Phosphorous containing fertilizers also cannot be applied unless a study says it can, if one is establishing vegetation for the first time or if the fertilizer contains over a quarter pound of P. Conclusion It was imperative to note that Oldham pond, a beautiful pond, was in the depths of destruction, only a few years ago. Obviously, Eutrophication is a phenomenon that, if left unchecked, can destroy bio-diversity. The authorities in Pembroke were forced to act fast to avoid destruction of biodiversity. Human activity, as witnessed, is the most prevalent cause of eutrophication. Works Cited Ansari A. A. Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control. New York: Springer, 2010. Print Boqiang Q, Zhengwen, Karl H, Havens K. Eutrophication of Shallow Lakes with Special Reference to Lake Taihu. New York: Springer, 2007. Print John P. S, Eugene F. S. The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences. london: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print László S, Gerrit S. Modelling and Managing Shallow Lake Eutrophication: With Application to Lake Balaton. New York: Springer, 1986. Print Walter K. D, Matt R. W. Freshwater Ecology: Concepts and Environmental Applications of Limnology. Waltham: Academic Press, 2010. Print Read More