1. Is the time of day at whichthe sampling was done important?
In a eutrophied system like this one, the pH is going to shift a lot
between night (when respiring organisms are pumping CO2 into the water) and the day (answer courtesy of Prof. Michael Drout from the English Department). All sampling was done at 2:45 pm.
2. Why does the pond smell?
The pond smells because there is some small amount of anaerobic decomposition of the plant matter in the pond. Anaerobic decomposition produces methane and hydrogen sulfide. As far as we know, there is no raw sewage going into the Pond. Of course, we are
trying to check this out.
3. What is the cage at the endof Peacock Pond near 123?
That is a filter to prevent things from getting stuck in the fountain inlet.
4. Was the fountain on or offwhen you made the measurements?
The fountain was turned off from Spetember 15 to September 21 for this round of water testing.
5. What is going to happen tothe data?
Currently, Chemistry 153 and Biology 111 students are analyzing the data and making recommendations for pond maintenance. In a few weeks, Chemistry 173 students will summarize these reports and combine them with data of their own to make a report to the College.
6.What are the Chemistry 173 students going to test?
Thanks to Erica McNally '01, they will have the concentrations of various metals in the pond. Additionally, they want to measure some of the quantities measured here BEFORE the water enters the pond and AFTER it leaves. For more information on Chem 173 activities, including a possible camous wide meeting on the pond, contact Aaron Stronge or Brandy VanDenBerg.
7. Are there any water qualitylinks you could recommend?
- MWRA Boston Harbor and the Bay
- USGS Nation Water-Quality Assessment Program
- Water Quality in the Lake Champlain Basin
- Maine DEP Bureau of Land and Water Quality
- National Resources Conservation Service - Agriculture and Water Quality
- Internet Resources: Water Quality
- Pouring It On: Nitrate Contamination of Drinking Water
8. Are you going to put picturesup of the biota?
Yes stay tuned for this feature coming next week!
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Last updated September 25, 2000