NITRATE LOADING OF STREAM WATERS:

                  This study is done with a collaborative effort of  four members;
                   Helen Ballard and Gloria Stallworth, Fairfield City Schools,
                   Fairfield, Alabama, and Annie G. Wells and Nancy Vawter,             
                   Alabama State University-Dept. of Alabama Science in
                   Motion, Montgomery, Alabama.
 
 

     OBJECTIVE:

     The basic aim of this study is to observe and analyze data acquired from
      contrasting streams, (sources of water contaminated with nitrates as a
      result of NH₄ run-of from fertilizer used on lawns in suburbia vs. run-off
      from fields.

      Critically analyzed data will provide insight into: (1) the contamination level
      of the variables, (streams of suburbia vs. agriculture vs. golf course);
      (2) The cause of contamination; (3) factors which may reduce the
      contamination, and (4) applications to the investigators' home state.
      The researchers will apply findings of this study to an ongoing project to
      study a specific polluted water source, the Cahaba River, Birmingham,
      Alabama-Jefferson County.
 

      QUESTION:

      Which water is more contaminated: streams of suburbia, streams of
       agriculture or streams of golf course?

      BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
        * What is "nitrate loading" of streams?
        * How is it caused?
        * What is its effect on the biosphere?
        * What factors may reduce the contaminants?
 

        Nitrate loading of streams is the response to ground water un-off of grass
        from lawns of homes, golf courses, and agricultural fields which have been
        fertilized.
        All accross the country, particularly New Jersey, Maryland, and New York,
        polluted run off is killing fish and other aquatic life; destroying acres of
       wetlands and contaminating both surface water and groundwater,(water table)
       with chemicals that are potentially dangerous to human health.
       The source of these contaminants include everything from livestock manure,
       fertilizers, and mining metals to suburban lawn chemicals.
       When rain water washes over land it carries these contaminants into streams,
       or drains down into the ground water.  By the time these contaminants reach
       the streams, they are in excess and thereby "loads" the stream in a
       disproportionate ratio to the amount of water.  For example, excessive nitrates
       from fertilizers cause algae blooms, these blooms in turn deplete the oxygen
       supply in lakes and streams, SO, in turn the fish die as a result of a lack of
       oxygen.  Growth studies demonstrated that when nitrates are added to
       streams, certain species of algae increase in quantity (Rhine, Crump &
       Jordan 1985).
 
       HYPOTHESIS:

       Streams of agricultural run-off is more contaminated than run-off from
       suburbia.

       INTRODUCTION:
 
      Among the areas of concern within the realm of environmental quality as
      it relates to human survivability, is water pollution. Despite innovative
      programs created by the amendments to the 1987 Clean Water Act,
      toxic run off remains the nation's most deadly water dilemna.

      MATERIALS/METHODS:

          topographical map of Princeton area
          vehicle for transportation to sample site
          pH meters-stream sensitive
          conductivity meter with probe
          suitcase-test chemicals-to perform field lab
                                            tests for nitrates and dissolved oxygen

       EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

           Tests:   pH
                      dissolved oxygen
                      temperature
                      turbidity

       WHY THESE TESTS?

        pH
             A pH of 7 is considered neutral.  A pH of 9 and above is
             considered high. Studies on the production of algae show
             that the higher the pH, (9,10); the lower the contamination;
             low contamination= low growth rate of algae.

 
        DISSOLVED OXYGEN
             Ammonia converts to nitrate when higly aerated.  The less
             dissolved oxygen the more the nitrate loading; the more
             nitrate loading, the less oxygen:, the lesser the oxygen----
             more fish die.

        TEMPERATURE/ DISSOLVED OXYGEN

             As the temperature of the water rises, the rate of photosynthesis
             increases, therefore not only do more plants grow more plants
             die.  When a plant dies, the bacteria which decomposes them
             require oxygen.  Therefore, an increase in the rate of
             photosynthesis is equal to an increasein the need for oxygen;  AND
             decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen.

         TURBIDITY
 
             Turbidity is a measure of  how clear the water is. The more murky
              the water, the higher the turbidity.  Urban runoff is one of
              several causes of high turbidity.  The higher the turbidity, the
              higher the temperature and the less diversity of aquatic organisms.
 

         PROCEDURE
 
          Wednesday, July 09, 1997 and Thursday, Jul;y 10, 1997

          Using topographical maps of the Princeton area specific to Highstown,
           sample sites were chosen.

          Agricultural-- It was a dificult task to find an agricultural area
                              area without a development in a proximity of more
                              than 1 mile.
           Surburbia  --Petty Lake- behind a school
           Golfcourse--Rocky Brook- runoff from golfcourse
           Wetland   -- dried up, indication of water by presence of
                              ducktails, however investigators found no source
                               to acquire a sample.
 
 
       Fig. 1.1  Map showing location of sites.
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

        There was no rainfall for a 38 hour period prior to the time the first   samples were tested.  Tests were conducted on samples from approximately 10 am thru late afternoon.  The second samples were tested a little less than 16 hrs. after a severe thunderstorm.  Field lab test was the format.  Each of the four investigators
performed atleast one test in the field lab.  Dissolved oxygen was not performed on the first samples, investigators inadvertently left the test at the dorm.

RESULTS

                       dissolved     ( p.p.m.)         (^oC)
     site               oxygen         nitrate         temperature       pH             turbidity

        DISCUSSION:
 

        SUMMARY:

        RECOMMENDATIONS:  (What could we have done differently
           to avoid    contamination of study.)