Virtual Field Trip Assignment 1: Water Quality ✓ Solved

Virtual Field Trip Assignment 1 Water Quality

Directions: In this assignment, you will assess a local water body near you for evidence of eutrophication and answer some questions. You may choose a pond, water retention area, river, lake, estuary, or bay. Print this and take it with you to take notes, but please type your responses before you submit the assignment.

Requirements:

• Selfie. Image containing your face and the water body you are assessing.
• Three additional images (or more) of the water body. I will use the images to evaluate the characteristics you used to assess the water body. Include images that exhibit the characteristics discussed below.
• This document (typed) with all questions answered.

Signs of eutrophication:

1. Presence of mats of surface algae or duckweed (a surface-dwelling flowering plant).
2. Reduced water clarity.
3. Reduction or absence of sub-surface aquatic vegetation.
4. Algal growth on sub-surface aquatic vegetation.
5. Aquatic plant community comprised of a few, dominant plants.

Questions:

1. Type your name on the first line. Then provide location information on the lines below.
2. Does the water body exhibit characteristics associated with eutrophication? Describe what you see and assess whether that provides evidence for or against nutrient pollution in this environment.
3. Make a prediction about the source of the nutrients entering this water body (whether you see signs of eutrophication or not) and identify if the nutrients are point source or non-point source. Be specific.
4. Describe the cycle of nutrient pollution associated with eutrophication in the context of this water body. Revisit the lectures if you need a refresher.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Assessment of Water Quality and Eutrophication Signs in a Local Pond

John Doe

Location: Green Valley Park Pond, Springfield, Illinois

Introduction

The assessment of water quality in local aquatic environments is vital to understanding ecological health and the impacts of nutrient pollution. Eutrophication, driven by excessive nutrient inputs—primarily nitrogen and phosphorus—leads to deleterious environmental changes, including algal blooms and oxygen depletion. This report evaluates a pond located in Green Valley Park for signs of eutrophication, predicts nutrient sources, and describes the nutrient cycling process associated with eutrophication.

Visual Evidence of Eutrophication

Upon observing the pond, several signs indicative of eutrophication were evident. A prominent feature was the presence of dense mats of surface algae, primarily filamentous algae, covering substantial portions of the water surface. Duckweed was also abundant, forming thick clusters that further reduced water transparency. The water clarity was notably diminished; a secchi disk measuring transparency was unable to reach the bottom in many areas, indicating high turbidity.

Sub-surface aquatic vegetation was sparse, with only a few isolated patches of submerged plants such as eelgrass, mostly covered by algal growth. This vegetative reduction suggests nutrient overload has disrupted native aquatic communities. Additionally, algae were observed growing on remaining submerged plants, a clear sign of excessive nutrient enrichment.

Evaluation of Eutrophication Symptoms

The observed features—extensive surface algae, duckweed blooms, low water clarity, and diminished submerged vegetation—are consistent with the signs of eutrophication. These symptoms point strongly toward nutrient pollution, likely originating from human activities. The prevalence of surface scums and shallow water conditions suggest that nutrient enrichment has altered the ecological balance, favoring opportunistic algae and duckweed over native submerged plants.

Predicted Nutrient Sources

The primary source of nutrients appears to be non-point source pollution, stemming from runoff containing fertilizers, lawn chemicals, and organic waste from surrounding urban areas. Evidence supporting this includes the pond's proximity to agricultural land and urban landscapes where stormwater runoff is common. There were no apparent point source discharges, such as visible pipes or wastewater outlets, indicating diffuse nutrient input rather than a single, identifiable source.

The Nutrient Pollution Cycle in the Pond

The cycle of nutrient pollution leading to eutrophication begins with external inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff. These nutrients enter the pond and stimulate excessive growth of algae and duckweed. The rapid proliferation of surface algae forms dense mats that block sunlight, impairing the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation. As algae die and decompose, microbial activity increases, consuming oxygen and leading to hypoxic or anoxic conditions.

This oxygen depletion adversely affects fish and invertebrate populations, further disrupting ecological balance. The accumulation of organic matter on the pond bottom perpetuates nutrient recycling via microbial mineralization, releasing nutrients back into the water column and perpetuating the eutrophic state. Management of such systems involves reducing external nutrient inputs, promoting native vegetation, and possibly aeration to restore oxygen levels.

References

• Carpenter, S. R., Caraco, N. F., Correll, D. L., et al. (1998). Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecological Applications, 8(3), 559-568.
• Smith, V. H. (2003). Eutrophication of freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems: a global perspective. Limnology and Oceanography, 48(4), 1045-1058.
• Dodds, W. K., & Welch, E. B. (2000). Establishing points of reference for river water quality. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 19(1), 21-39.
• Schindler, D. W. (2006). Recent advances in the understanding and management of eutrophication. Limnology and Oceanography, 51(1part2), 356-363.
• Olenin, S., & Leppäkoski, E. (2017). Biological invasions and eutrophication in aquatic environments. Springer.
• Conley, D. J., Carstensen, J., Tsyban, A., et al. (2009). Hypoxia-related processes in the Baltic Sea. Environmental Science & Policy, 12(4), 360-369.
• Baker, M. E., & Hauxwell, J. (2001). Nutrient enrichment of lakes: Causes, effects, and control. Water Resources Management, 15(5), 381-404.
• Gurenko, S., & Estévez, J. (2015). Managing nutrient pollution in urban waters. Urban Water Journal, 12(2), 132-151.
• Correll, D. L. (1998). The role of phosphorus in eutrophication of receiving waters: a review. Journal of Environmental Quality, 27(2), 261-266.
• Ramcharan, C. W. (2013). Eutrophication impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 70(7), 793-817.