Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Michael Philben, Geological & Environmental Science; Dr. Natalie Huisman, Chemistry

Document Type

Poster

Event Date

4-12-2024

Abstract

Lake Macatawa experiences severe eutrophication and algal blooms that negatively impact the native species and recreational usage of the lake. There have been several previously completed studies on phosphorus pollution in the water by the Hope College Day1 Watershed Group. However, these measurements do not include lake sediments, which could also be a significant reservoir of phosphorus. Our research group decided to test the sediment at the same three lake locations tested by the Watershed Group, taking two core samples at each location. These samples were dried, combusted in a muffle oven, weighed, digested from solid to liquid, and then tested using a spectrometer to determine the amount of orthophosphate in each sample taken. We did this by comparing it to calibration or standard curve at the same time. We noticed a trend in location and orthophosphate concentration. Our study revealed a significant trend between the sediment phosphorus concentration in Lake Macatawa and the historical watershed data. Notably, site 2, located at Howard B. Dutton Park exhibited the highest phosphorus concentration, likely attributed to the convergence and entry of multiple streams. Conversely, site 3, near Howard Vae. demonstrated the lowest phosphorus concentration, possibly due to the positive impacts initiated by Project Clarity.

Comments

Hope College Geological and Environmental Science Department

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