Future studiesFrom this project we were able to see the temporal variability of nutrient and bacterial concentrations in Bowne Park Pond via Chemetrics Vacu-vials and IDEXX Methods. Algal blooms were observed in this water body so from this observation, future test need to be conducted to determine if this pond is prone to eutrophication. If it is prone to eutrophication remedial actions need to be addressed in order to save the marine habitat as well as the public.

NYC Psrks. 2015. Bowne Park. NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation, Flushing, Queens. Colangelo, Lisa L. 2011.Vanishing turt;es and fish at Bowne Park pond stir up poaching fears among

residents. NY Daily News NYC Parks. 2015. “Bowne Park Highlights. NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation. Flushing, Queens. Chapman, D. 1992. Water quality assessments. Chapman and Hall, London, UK.

Rhoads,J.M.,D.J. Yozzo, M.M. cianciola, and R.J. Will. 2001. Norton Basin/lttle Bay Restoration Project: historical and environmental background report. Report to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

References

Temporal Variability of Nutrient and Bacterial Concentrations in Bowne Park Pond of Queens, New York

Discussion /SummaryThe results from the samples were collected after a period of heavy rainfall. It showed an increasing ORP value, which suggest that the pond was in a oxidative environment. The samples also showed high nutrients concentrations in phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and silica. This was expected because of the surface runoff from the occurring heavy rainfall. A large range of Total coliform concentration was observed after 18 hours incubation period from Bowne Pond Samples. After 24 hours incubation the overall concentration was found to be 12% for sample 1, 4% for sample 2 and 32% for sample 3 which have increase. The range for E.coli has be relatively constant over 18 and 24 hours incubation period and Enterococcus was found to be very low when compare to the other fecal indicative bacteria.

LATEEF, Michael, BROWN, Leroy, HERALALL, Sasha and SMITH, Ricardo (Environmental Health Science Major)

Mentor: Dr. Ratan Kumar DharDepartment of Earth and Physical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences

Field Photos

Acknowledgement We would like to thank our mentor Dr. Dhar for his stimulating support

and encouragement.

Results

Abstract

IntroductionMany changes can go unnoticed as a water body may appear to look, smell and even taste clean. The quality of a water source may change over time, sometimes suddenly, which may negatively impact human health and the environment. This research involves monitoring water quality to determine the temporal variation of nutrient and bacterial concentrations in Bowne Park Pond, located in Flushing Queens. Water quality monitoring involves taking measurements that provide information on water conditions and allow scientists and policy makers to estimate trends. Monitoring provides the information needed for an assessment of the conditions of the water in relation to natural variability, anthropogenic effects and intended uses (Chapman 1992). Monitoring our water quality is necessary to ensure our treatment system is working effectively, providing the best quality water for our intended use while simultaneously protecting the environment. Water quality is the situation of the water body or water resource in relation to its uses. Parameters in defining water quality can be grouped into three aspects: physical, chemical, and biological. Physical parameters include temperature, suspended sediments, turbidity, color, odor and taste. Chemical parameters involve the major and minor elements, and other chemical parameters such as nutrients including ammonia, chloride, copper, iron, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) and Alkalinity. The major elements include nutrients such as Nitrate and Phosphate; and minor elements such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and few others. Biological aspects include Fecal Coli-form and E. coli. These parameters are expressed in different units, and their magnitudes can vary significantly from one location to another and over time. For example, the temperature is expressed in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit, and coliforms in numbers or Colony Forming Units (CFU), and most chemicals and nutrients in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or in parts per million (ppm). This research will be carried out in Bowne Park Pond. Bowne Park Pond is a water body located in the middle of Bowne Park in Flushing Queens, which is embedded within a heavily urbanized region with extremely high population densities. This Flushing park is bounded by 29th and 32nd Avenues, and by 155th and 159th Streets. As a result of being located in an urbanized area, the pond is prone is stromwater runoff of numerous dissolved nutrients and bacterial contamination. This also puts the pond at risk for eutrophication from algae blooms, which have been spotted in this water body (NYC Parks, 2015)

Methods & MaterialSamples were collected from Bowne Park Pond in Flushing in 100mL nanopure washed bottles and brought back to lab for nutrient and bacterial analysis.

On site measurements were recorded using YSI multi-parameter probe (600 QS) of water temperature (C), pH, DO (mg/L), ORP (mV), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS in g/L), salinity (parts per thousand) and conductivity (uS/cm) along with latitude and longitude using Google Maps on mobile phone.

Figure 1- Satellite image from Google Maps of the study area where the research was conducted

Determination of nutrient concentrations were carried out using Chemetrics vacu-vial methods. Independent 4 point calibrations were conducted for nitrate, ammonia and phosphate. The results of the calibration are shown in figure.

EPA approved IDEXX method was used for the microbial analysis of the water samples collected

Figure 3- Nutrient Concentrations expressed in ppm facilitated using Chemetrics Vacu-vial methods

Figure 2- Biological Parameters observed after incubation for 18 and 24 hours from IDEXX Method

Table1- Physical parameters observed using YSI Multi-parameter probe.

Several land uses may increase the vulnerability of surface waters towards degradation. The concentrations and present of E. coli, Enterococci, and Fecal Coliform in a water body such as pond, lake or stream maybe helpful to indicate whether water quality is related to certain land uses or not. E. coli is an indicator of fecal contamination. Elevated levels often indicate the presence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Pathogenic intestinal organisms from faces deposited in surface waters may lead to health problems and possible death in humans as well as other animals that drink from contaminated waterways. This research will focus on evaluating physical parameters: Temperature, Conductivity, Salinity, Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Alkalinity and Hardness. Chemical parameters: Ammonium NH4

+, Nitrate NO3-, Nitrite NO2, Phosphate PO4

-3, Sulfate SO4

-2, Silicon Si and biological parameters such as the fecal indicative bacteria (FIBs): Total Coliform, E.coli and Enterococcus of Bowne Pond. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory using different protocols for each parameter. The V-2000 Multi-Analyte Photometer is capable of measuring virtually all CHEMetrics Photometric vials; it was used. For the Coliform sampling the IDEXX Colilert System was used. Result indicated that enterococci is in very close range after 24 hours of incubation which might be a more stable indicator compare to E. coli and Total coliform consequently. There high levels of bacteria present could be as result of either runoff because at the time of sample it was actually raining or the presence of birds and the closeness of house that are nearby to the pond. Large inputs of nutrients from stormwater runoff and anthropogenic activities as well as bacterial contamination from waste water treatment plants, sewage outflows, and runoff are serious concerns. In an attempt to study the spatial and temporal variation in nutrient and bacterial concentrations in the area, three test were carried out using a YSI Multi-parameter probe at the shallow end of the pond. Temperature, conductivity, salinity, pH, ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential), dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured on site using YSI multi-parameter probe (600 QS).Three 100ml samples were collected and filtered with distilled water, using 10ml of sample with 90ml of distilled water. Chemetrics Vacu-vials methods were used for determination of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulfate, ammonia, silicate and alkalinity. The rest of the samples were taken back to the lab for microbial analysis. Nutrients concentration including nitrate, phosphate consistently showed an increasing trend.

Physical parameters being collected using YSI multi-parameter in the bay

Observing data before recording on the YSI system.

Calibrating the equipment

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3Time 12:01 PM 12:06 PM 12:15 PM

Temperature (°C) 8.11 7.89 7.89Conductivity (µS/cm) 2 87 87

Salinity 0 0.084 0.084TDS (g/L) 0.002 0.06 0.06

pH 8.83 8.23 6.97ORP 77.3 85.3 124.4

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.4 8.23 8.36Alkalinity < 10 < 10 < 10Hardness < 100 < 100 < 100

Physical Parameters 12/02/15