Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

A Multivariate Analysis Of The Relationship Between The Water Quality Conditions And Algal Species Composition Of Six Mountain Lakes In The North Cascades, Wa, Usa, Michael P. Lawlor

WWU Graduate School Collection

The objective of my study was to characterize the water quality conditions and algal species composition of six mountain lakes in the North Cascades of Washington, USA. Exploratory data analysis examined water quality conditions and algal species composition separately, then determined if they were related. The lakes exhibited median temperatures from 13.3 °C to 20.8 °C, had nitrate and soluble reactive phosphate concentrations below 100 µg/L and 6 µg/L, respectively, were slightly acidic (pH 5.1-6.9), and had median dissolved oxygen concentrations ranging from 6.7 mg/L to 10.6 mg/L. Over 340 non-diatom algal taxa were identified. Algal species richness was positively …