Data Page
Collected nitrate concentrations for July 5 thru July 16
 
Springdale Golf Course     ENTRANCE                                            EXIT
    Date and Time                  NO3 - N (ppm)           NO3  (ppm)                       NO3 - N (ppm)              NO3  (ppm)
 
7/5   2:30 P.M.
Day 1
> 1
> 4.4
 
> 1
> 4.4
7/6  4:08 P.M.
Day 2
> 1
> 4.4
 
>1
> 4.4
7/7  6:41 P.M.
*morning rain
*dilution done
Day 3
2.8
12
 
3.0
13
7/8  6:30 P.M.
Day 4
4.0
18
 
2.4
11
7/9  10:00 A.M.
Day 5
3.5
15
 
4.5
20
7/10  1:20 P.M.
* evening rain
on 7/9
*changed to
GREEN kit
Day 6
5.0
22
 
2.5
11
7/11  10:40 A.M.
Day 7
3.0
13
 
2.5
11
7/12  8:50 A.M.
Day 8
2.5
11
 
1.5
6.6
7/13 10:00 A.M.
Day 9
2.0
8.8
 
.5 
1.1
7/14 10:30 A.M. 
Day 10 
4.0
18
 
3.0
13
7/15 10:00 A.M.
Day 11
3.5
15
 
2.5
11
7/16 10:30 A.M.
Day 12
3.0
13
 
3.0
13 
 
    Stream at Princeton Power Plant (parking lot 23)             Princeton Park Picnic Area
     Date and Time               NO3 - N (ppm)               NO3  (ppm)                       NO3 - N (ppm)              NO3  (ppm)
7/5  3:00 P.M.
Day 1
.6
2.6
 
------
-----
7/6  10:46 P.M.
Day 2
.8
3.5
 
.8
3.5
7/7  6:00 P.M.
* morning rain
Day 3
1.1
4.8
 
1.1
4.8
7/8  6:45 P.M.
Day 4
1.4
6.2
 
.8
3.5
7/9  11:00 A.M.
Day 5
1.5
6.6
 
3.5
15
7/10  1:10 P.M.
* evening rain
on 7/9
*changed to
GREEN kit
Day 6
1.5
6.6
 
1.0
4.4
7/11  10:50 A.M.
Day 7
1.0
4.4
 
.5
2.2
7/12  8:50 A.M.
Day 8
.5
2.2
 
1.0
4.4
7/13 10:00 A.M.
Day 9
.5 
2.2
 
1.0
4.4
7/14 10:40 A.M. 
Day 10
1.0 
4.4
 
1.0
4.4
7/15 10:30 A.M.
Day 11
1.0
4.4
 
1.0
4.4
 7/16 10:45 A.M.
Day 12
1.0
 4.4
 
1.0
4.4 
 
Graph of above data:
 
 
Discussion of data:    By looking at the graph above and comparing the nitrate levels from our four sites (in the twelve day span of recording) we have two observations which we feel can be debated.
    Observation One:  Nitrate levels seem to fluctuate according to the amount of or lack of
                                          precipitation.  First rise in nitrate levels occurred after rainfall.
                                          Largest ppm occurred after second rainfall.  No explanation of rise
                                          occurring on Day 10.  Possible explanation - Due to lack of rain the
                                          residential area above course stream watered lawns?
    Observation Two:  Nitrate levels seem to be higher in areas of turf environment versus
                                          a natural area.  Nitrate levels on golf course entrance and exit stayed
                                          higher than park during testing period.

Interesting things to consider:    Days 1 and 2 are invalid data for the course due to lack of dilution capabilities.  We are curious about the way all of the nitrate measurements seemed to rise and fall with each other as the days went by.  Also we recorded two days which contradicted our proposed hypothesis (Days 3 and 5).  We never did get a chance to measure a rain runoff event - lightning storm prevented this.  The above data leads to more questions than answers.  We have observed a phenomena now and can formulate a better hypothesis and procedure to study.
 

 
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