Abiotic and biotic comparison of two depressions in Douglas Lake, Michigan.

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that the Fairy Island Depression is more eutrophic than the South Fishtail Depression due to the human development on the western shores of the lake. The study was conducted to observe the differences in eutrophication of two deep depressions, Fairy Island Depression and South Fishtail Depression, located in Douglas Lake, Cheboygan County, Michigan. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and nutrient concentrations were collected over a period of ten days from each depression and were compared to compare the amount of eutrophication in each basin. Photic zones were also compared. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that the South Fishtail Depression was more eutrophic. The results of this study contribute to the continuing research being conducted on the depressions in Douglas Lake and may give insight as to what is occurring within the lake.