Environmental Science

            In order to learn the condition of Farrington Lake,we collected and analyzed data from many parts of the body of water and itssurroundings. These results would help us to determine the trophic state, orbiological production, that was occurring in the lake. There are three majortrophic categories, however, eutrophic, oligotrophic, and mesotrophic.Relatively small and shallow lakes, with mucky bottoms, extensive rooted plantgrowth and depleted dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters are eutrophic. An oligotrophiclake is usually large and deep, with clear water, rocky or sandy shorelines,low phosphorus enrichment, limited rooted plant growth, low algal growth andadequate dissolved oxygen throughout. A mesotrophic lake is a combination ofthe aforementioned lakes possessing characteristics of both. In addition to thedata we obtained, these facts make it evident that Farrington Lake is amesotrophic lake, most likely going through mixis. .
             After thoroughly analyzing the data from allthe research teams, I was able to conclude that the lake is currently goingthrough mixis. However, it was the results from the Lake Thermal Profile team,Water Collecting Team, and the Lake Chemical Test - LaMotte Team that,ultimately, proved this. The Lake Thermal Profile team's results showed agenerally constant temperature at all depths in the lake, indicating a lack ofthermocline. From previous knowledge we know that if no thermocline is present,the lake must be going through mixis. In addition, the tests done by the WaterCollecting Team gave us a turbidity of 10 feet, and told us that the color ofthe water was yellowish-brown because of the mixing of plankton and soilparticles that were in the water. This would only occur if the lake weregoing through mixis. Lastly, almost all of the nutrients tested by the LakeChemical Test - LaMotte Team had almost exactly uniform levels from both thesurface and the bottom.