Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Environmental Sciences
Research Advisor
Niyogi, Dev
Fitch, Mark
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
OURE
Abstract
Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems is a growing global issue due to anthropogenic inputs. One of the main issues associated with eutrophication is fish death. Eutrophic waters can lead to algal blooms, resulting in hypoxic conditions where there is not enough oxygen to support the oxygen-breathing organisms like fish. This can happen in lakes or where rivers meet the ocean. These hypoxic conditions are a concern for lake managers and people who make a living fishing in waters that are now experiencing fish death. One method to target the oxygen levels in lakes is adding aerators. Because of how dynamic ecosystems are, a change in one variable is likely to influence other variables in the ecosystem. This study aimed to measure some of these differences. We determined vertical profiles for temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, and phosphorus at two urban ponds in Rolla. The ponds serve as a great model because Frisco Pond experiences a duckweed bloom every summer including occasional fish deaths, while Ber Juan Pond has had multiple aerators installed to combat this. Ammonia concentrations for each vertical profile are higher with depth corresponding with a decrease in dissolved oxygen. SRP readings for Frisco decrease with depth which suggests internal loading may not be happening even though the oxygen levels are near zero. The nitrate concentrations show more variation across sites, indicating more complex pathways involving the nitrogen cycle.
Biography
Tylor Cheatham is a junior in Environmental Science at Missouri S& T. His academic interests include nutrient cycles, restoration ecology, landscape limnology, and environmental ethics. In Tylor's free time he enjoys kayaking, spending time with friends, and exploring new music.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences Oral Session - Second Place
Location
Havener Center - Carver Room
Presentation Date
10 April 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Included in
Water quality profiles in two Rolla ponds: Implications for nutrient management
Havener Center - Carver Room
Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems is a growing global issue due to anthropogenic inputs. One of the main issues associated with eutrophication is fish death. Eutrophic waters can lead to algal blooms, resulting in hypoxic conditions where there is not enough oxygen to support the oxygen-breathing organisms like fish. This can happen in lakes or where rivers meet the ocean. These hypoxic conditions are a concern for lake managers and people who make a living fishing in waters that are now experiencing fish death. One method to target the oxygen levels in lakes is adding aerators. Because of how dynamic ecosystems are, a change in one variable is likely to influence other variables in the ecosystem. This study aimed to measure some of these differences. We determined vertical profiles for temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, and phosphorus at two urban ponds in Rolla. The ponds serve as a great model because Frisco Pond experiences a duckweed bloom every summer including occasional fish deaths, while Ber Juan Pond has had multiple aerators installed to combat this. Ammonia concentrations for each vertical profile are higher with depth corresponding with a decrease in dissolved oxygen. SRP readings for Frisco decrease with depth which suggests internal loading may not be happening even though the oxygen levels are near zero. The nitrate concentrations show more variation across sites, indicating more complex pathways involving the nitrogen cycle.
