The main purpose of our study was to see if eutrophication is occurring here. A presence of Cyanobacteria generally indicates eutrophication.
Eutrophication is when there is an aundance of nutrients.
To collect the phytoplankton, a 50 mm mesh net was used. All organisms that were smaller than 50 mm passed through the net. The net was towed 0.5 meters through the epilimnion for about 30 meters on the southwest, leeward shore of the pond. This corner was where there was the largest build up of phytoplankton. This is a result of the predominant winds.