The water chemistry and influence of Van Creek and Douglas Lake discharge on the Maple River and in comparison to a site below a beaver dam.

Abstract

Two streams flowing into the East Branch of the Maple River and a site downstream, all in Pellston, Cheboygan County, Michigan, were studied by analyzing their characteristic water chemistry. The Hach DR-EL/2 field kit was utilized as a simplified method for the analysis of the nutrients, total phosphates, nitrate-nitrogen, silica, and other qualitative parameters. An auto analyzer was utilized for accuracy and to compare the results with the Hach field hits. The results suggest that about 1.7% of the total phosphates are contributed to the East Branch of the Maple River from Van Creek and the Douglas Lake discharge. Three out of four sample sites demonstrated an increase in total phosphates during the night. Considering the site below the beaver dam, total phosphates are of less concentration. Small amounts of nitrates were found in all sampling sites except for Van Creek. The high nitrate concentration in Van Creek is correlated to the large amount of plant production and other biochemical processes. Although, silica, present and relatively similar in amounts for all sampling sites, shows Douglas Lake to have the highest amount of silica for the day and the beaver dam the highest increase during the night. The source of silica can be generally attributed to the hydrolysis of silicate minerals in the watershed. Apparently within these stream ecosystems the nutrients are at the effect of the aquatic environment trying to reach an equilibrium.