The effect of the Oden Fish Hatchery production on benthic algal populations downstream.

Abstract

Algal samples were collected at the Oden Fish Hatchery in Oden, Michigan. The effects of increased ammonia production by the hatchery were studied in regard to algal populations downstream. It was hypothesized that algal communities would decrease in genera diversity and show high levels of algal pollution indicators in response to increased ammonia levels produced by the hatchery. Substrates collected at nine different sites (including one control site) were used to determine changes in algal communities at progressive sites downstream. Chemical tests for content of nitrate, phosphorus, pH, and ammonia were performed at each of the nine sites. Statistical tests were run on the data gathered to determine relative algal abundance and genera diversity. This information was then compared with the chemical analysis data on nitrogen and phosphorus content to determine whether any correlation existed between a changing chemical environment and changing algal communities. The data gathered from the experiment does not support the hypothesis, as no correlation was found between the increased ammonia levels from the hatchery and algal communities downstream. The increased ammonia produced by the hatchery did not significantly effect combined nitrogen levels downstream. Although algal population diversity and algal identity did not correlate with the nitrogen levels, the abundance of pollution indicators and decreased genera diversity point to some polluting effects by the hatchery.