Nutrient and Water Chemistry Analyses
In order to compare nutrients within and between streams, we tested the water temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll content, and nutrient levels. The nutrients that we tested for were total nitrogen, total phosphorous and soluble reactive phosphorous. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured on site using the Hydrolab (Hach Environmental 2009). Chlorophyll A samples were taken using a kit that involved a syringe and a filter system (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 2008). Nutrient levels were collected in 250 milliliter acid washed plastic bottles to be later tested at the Lakeside Lab at The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS). We rinsed the bottles and caps in the river water before filling and to screw the caps on while submerged in order to keep as much air out as possible and have a viable sample.