Citizen volunteers are responsible for collecting water samples from their lakes during the spring overturn of the water , and the DEQ's Environmental Laboratory provides the analytical support for the chemical analyses. These programs also provide an opportunity for Michigan's citizens to participate in environmental management and learn more about their lakes. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element that is found in rocks and soil and is rapidly taken up and used by living organisms. Phosphorus is an essential component for plant and animal growth. The total amount of phosphorus in the water is an indicator of the eutrophication of lakes.
Eutrophication is the process of lake aging.
Human activities such as residential development, forest clearing, road building, and industrial discharges can shorten the lifespan of a lake by speeding up the process of eutrophication. The amount of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, in the lake and the lake's transparency are used as measures of the lake's eutrophication. We are having sampling done during spring overturn, because at this time, most lakes are well mixed from top to bottom. However, it should be noted that some small, deep lakes in protected basins may not circulate every spring. Generally at spring overturn, the same amount of phosphorus should be present throughout the water column.