Fabulous+Fortyish+Foundations

=__Study Site: Chandler Pond__=

= = ==

__Tuesday, 15th July 2008, Chandler Pond__
We looked at all three strands covered during UEI summer institute. Below is the data we collected.

__Bird Biodiversity Data Sheet__
__Observers in Group__: Five people, teacher assisted in data collection. __Equipment__: Eyes, ears, binoculars and field guides. __Weather__: Clear, Light breeze, 30 degrees Celsius, No rain in past 24 hours. __Sources of Disturbance__: 8 Humans, 2 Dogs, Canada Geese and pollution from inflow pipes in pond.

__Key to categories:__
**Notes** on the bird’s behavior and location. If you are unable to identify the bird describe its color, size, field marks, beak shape, song, and anything to help you identify it later. The more details the better. ** The category ** of the bird: aerialists, swimming birds, wading birds, perching birds, non-perching land birds, or birds of prey. ** The number ** of individuals using tally marks ** The identity ** of the bird using the common or scientific name. If you can't identify a bird in the field, assign it a number (e.g. "unknown 1") and remember to describe it in detail in the notes section. Even if you don't know what it is, try to place it in a category. (Eating seeds) || Perching || 8 || House Sparrow || (Eating insects) || Perching || 12 || __Sturnus vulgaris__ (Starling) || in bulrushes later || Wading || 1 || Great Blue Heron || (Eating insects) || Perching || 4 || American Robin || (Eating seeds) || Perching || 2 || Mourning Dove || (Possibly from feeder?) || Perching || 1 || Gold Finch ||
 * || Notes || Category || Number || Identity ||
 * 1 || Geese feeding on grass || Swimming/Wading || 22 || Canada Goose ||
 * 2 || Came up to us looking for food || Swimming/Wading || 2 || Mallard ||
 * 3 || Small birds feeding on grass
 * 4 || Song in Linden Tree || Perching || 1 || Cardinal ||
 * 5 || Flying low over pond || Aerialist || 1 || Barn Swallow ||
 * 6 || Feeding on grass
 * 7 || In middle of pond || Wading || 1 || Double Breasted Cormorant ||
 * 8 || In middle of pond,
 * 9 || Song in trees || Perching || 1 || Song Sparrow ||
 * 10 || Feeding on grass
 * 11 || Birds feeding on grass
 * 12 || In Linden Tree || Perching || 1 || Cat Bird ||
 * 13 || Flying over || Perching || 1 || Mocking Bird ||
 * 14 || Flying over
 * 15 || In bulrushes || Perching || 1 || Red Wing Blackbird ||
 * 16 || Flying into bulrushes || Wading || 1 || Green Heron ||
 * 17 || Flying || Perching || 2 || Cedar Waxwing ||

__Soil and Water Testing Data:__
Goose poop present || Soil Phosphorus || 1-50 lb/acre low ||
 * date || Weather/ condition data || Sampling location || Data collected || Results ||
 * July 15, 2008 || Fair, 30 degrees C || East shore of chandler’s pond, pond edge || Soil pH || 6 ||
 * ||  || Moist, compacted || Soil Nitrogen || <1 lb/acre ||
 * || Grassy surface
 * || Soil Potassium || 120-200 lb/acre ||
 * ||  || Collected by fearless leaders || Water pH || 8 ||
 * ||  || Not sure of our exact location of sampling || Water dissolved oxygen || 4 ppm ||
 * ||  ||   || Water Nitrate || <2 ppm ||
 * ||  ||   || Water salinity || 0.4 ppm (low) ||

__** Tree Gathering Data Collection Form ** __
__Names__: Fab 40’ish __Study Site__: Chandler Pond __Date__: 7/15/2008

Class ||
 * Tree ID || Species |||| Trunk Diameter || Height Class || Health || Conflicts || Crown Size (inches) || Ground Cover
 * ^  |||| Class ||^   ||^   ||^   ||^   ||^   ||^   ||^   ||
 * #1 || Norway Maple || 24 || 3 || 3 || 4 || none || 50 || 2, 4 & 6 ||

2 = 10 – 20 inches 3 > 20 inches || 1 = < 15 feet 2 = 15-35 feet 3 = > 35 feet || 1 = Dead/Dying 2 = Poor 3 = Fair 4 = Good || 1 = Overhead wires 2 = Building 3 = Sidewalk 4 – Other tree || 1 = Shrub 2 = Grass 3 = Pavement 4 = Soil 5 = Mulch ||
 * **DBH Class** || **Ht. Class** || **Health Class** || **Conflicts** || **Ground Cover** ||
 * 1 = < 10 inches

**__ Research Question: __**
What is the difference in water quality at the two inflow sites and the outflow site at Chandler Pond?

**__Hypothesis__**:
If water samples were taken at both inflow and outflow sites, chemically tested and results compared then the chemical levels in the water at the outflow site would be lower than at the inflows sites because the pond including plants and animals would acts as a natural filter.

**__ Background Information: __**
Chandler Pond is located in Brighton, Massachusetts. It was created by William C. Strong in 1855 and was excavated for ice making purposes, fed by The Dana Brook in Newton. Eventually it flows to the Charles River. The pond was surveyed and two inflows sites and one outflow site were located. The two inflow pipes at the pond (see site map) were labeled “Boston Water and Sewer” and “Storm water” and numbered. The outflow location was a grate angled at 45 degrees. [|http://www.bahistory.org/HistoryChandlers.html

**__ Materials: __**
LaMotte water quality kits for pH, nitrates, phosphates and dissolved oxygen. pail, rope, waste bottle, water collection bottle, thermometer, goggles and gloves

__Data:__

 * __Test__ || __Site 1__: Water Outlet/Overflow || __Site 2__: Storm water drain/Inlet 212 || __Site 3__: Storm water drain/Inlet 113 ||
 * pH || 8.0 || 7.5 || 7.0 ||
 * Dissolved Oxygen || 6.4 ppm || 7.0 ppm || 6.6 ppm ||
 * Phosphate || < 0.5 ppm || <0.5 ppm || < 0.5 ppm ||
 * Nitrate || < 0.2 ppm || <0.2 ppm || < 0.2 ppm ||
 * Comments || Shaded area, out flowing water, algal growth || Sunny spot, no water flowing, but many aquatic plants, sampling depth was shallow || Shady,slight trickle; no plants, some duck weed ||

__**Conclusion:**__
The hypothesis that there would be an improved water quality at the outflow as compared to the inflow points as a result of the natural filtration action of the pond proved to be inconclusive. Test parameters of pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, and nitrates show little difference between sampling sites given the accuracy of the testing methods and equipment.

There were however slight differences in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels at the three sampling sites. The lowest DO was 6.4 ppm found at the outflow site. It was observed to be murky and clouded with an algal bloom. It is possible that bacterial decomposition which often accompanies algal blooms may have been responsible for the slightly lower DO levels observed at this location. The DO at the #212 inflow pipe was 7.0 ppm and represented the highest level of the 3 DO samples. This may have been due to the presence of a 2 meter + band of bulrushes and their photosynthetic activity. In addition the sampling bucket was prevented from taking a deeper sample because of the heavy aquatic plant growth.

__**Sources of Error**:__
None of the test kit reagents were dated for expiration. All members of the group performed various tests and therefore 100% consistency in methods cannot be assumed. Precision and accuracy of measurements in the field and lab were limited due to the calibration of the equipment. Sampling was not taken simultaneously at each site and lab tests (exclusive of DO) were performed several hours after collection. Samples collected at each site were not gathered at identical distances from the shore or at identical depths.

__**Extensions:**__
Conduct similar tests during and after a heavy rain storm and after a protracted dry period. Conduct tests during different seasons. A longer term study would provide a more detailed profile of the site. Keeping in mind the limitations cited above future research might be done with higher sensitivity assays and in a more consistent manner.

__**Further Consideration of the Health of Chandlers’ Pond:**__
According to the Massachusetts Division of Pollution Control Chandler’s Pond is a Class III ground water source in that:

//(3) __Class III__ - Ground water assigned to this class are fresh or saline waters found in the saturated zone of unconsolidated deposits or consolidated rock and bed rock and are designated for uses other than as a source of potable water supply. At a minimum the most sensitive use of these waters shall be as an source of non-potable water which may come in contact with, but is not ingested by humans.// http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/314cmr04.pdf

As such there are none of our quantitative data can be compared to Massachusetts state norms because:

//“(2) __Class III Ground Waters__.// //__Parameter__ __Criteria__//

//(c) All Other Pollutants None in concentrations or combinations which upon exposure to humans will cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions or physical deformations or cause significant adverse effects to the environment, or which would exceed recommended limits on the most sensitive ground water use.”//

http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/314cmr04.pdf

None of our party died, came down with a disease, behaved abnormally, developed cancer, produced children with abnormalities and no significant adverse effects to the environment were noted. Therefore we can conclude that Chandler’s Pond meets the minimum criteria for pollutants.

If we compare Chandler’s Pond to a Class I ground water source which are water sources destined for potable water use we found several indicators attesting to the good health of the site. Water pH averaged 7.5 which is well within the norms of pH 6.5 – 8.5. Further the nitrate levels of <0.2ppm were well below 10ppm.

Joyce testing water