Such a reading would have shown how low the oxygen concentrations dropped during the night. Several people have called the Cooperative Extension office about fish kills in their ponds. The recent hot dry weather has promoted algae growth, which can lead to low nighttime oxygen levels in ponds. If this is the problem, the DO cencentration needs to be taken VERY early in the morning. An alternative would be to collect a sample early in the morning, keep it in the dark, and bring it to the Cooperative Extension office that morning.
Salinity is the measure of salts in the water.
The readings were quite consistent throughout the water column and indicated a typical brackish water. Nitrate is a nutrient that promotes plant growth. It can come from a variety of sources, including fertilizers and septic systems. The Sturgeon City students collected and analyzed six samples for nitrate. Phosphate is another plant nutrient.