Chemical Data

Date

NO3 (ppm)

Alk. (ppm)

pH

O2(ppm)

NH4(ppm)

PO4(ppm)

9/23/98

8.8

48

8.45

9.3

undetectable

undetectable

10/21/98

1.1

50

8.65

7

undetectable

undetectable

2/10/99

12.1

50

8.78

16.5

-

-

4/14/99

11

85

7.4

9.5

-

-

9/22/99

-

-

-

8.4

-

-

9/29/99

1.32

48

7.2

9.5

-

undetectable

1/25/00

1.7

48

7.84

15

-

-

3/29/00

2.2

42

6.2

8

-

-

9/13/00

2.2

40

-

11

-

undetectable

5/10/01

-

-

-

7.2

-

-

5/16/01

1.1

60

7.2

6.25

-

-

9/26/01

1.65

45

7

8.4

undetectable

undetectable

9/25/02

<1.1

-

-

3.4

0.04

undetectable

9/23/03

11

-

6.7

5.4

-

undetectable

9/22/04

1.16

-

7.37

2.2

-

-

10/5/04

1.16

-

7.37

3.85

0.01

undetectable

10/27/04

-

-

-

5.3

-

-

9/18/07 undetectable - 8 5.9 0.08 undetectable
11/29/07 undetectable - 8.4 8.9 undetectable undetectable
1/8/08 13.2 - 7.6 7.3 0.02 undetectable

        The chemical data collected from Anderson Pond shows that the original pH of the pond which was basic, has since stabilized over the past couple of years. It has moderate levels of alkalinity allowing it to buffer any pH changes due to acidic input from low pH precipitation.  The chemical data shows high levels of nitrate NO3 found in the first few years of data collection.  Nitrate present in fertilizers is carried into the water with runoff from the 32.5 acres of fields which drain into the pond on the way to the local sewer system. The numbers have stabilized because cattails and other vegetation were planted by the pond to help metabolize the nitrate input. Also, the staff at the High School has chosen to use more environmentally friendly fertilizers which include less nitrogen. Mr. Evans, the head groundskeeper, stated that the organic fertilizer, which contains ammonium nitrate, would act as an acid in aqueous solutions.  He also stated that as a pond matures it's pH levels will drop down to a more constant level. These reasons would account for the lower pH levels.  

    Excessive algae and blue-green algae dominate the pond, especially during the warmer months of the year. For the past few summers, Water Primrose, an invasive species, has dominated the pond because it has no natural predator. These organisms limit light penetration, reducing photosynthesis at greater depths.  Additionally, the respiration of these organisms and their decomposition when they die and sink to the bottom reduces oxygen levels at the bottom of the pond. These organisms could account for the considerable drop in the pond's dissolved oxygen levels.

More Data - Temperature/Oxygen Curves versus Depth

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