Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons^™

The Quantitative Assessment Of Pond Scum: An Examination Of The Biogeochemistry Of Phosphorus Cycling In The Belgrade Lakes, Abbey M. Sykes

Honors Theses

The internal recycling phosphorus in freshwater lake bottom sediments represents a significant source of hypolimnetic phosphorus (P) release for many of Maine’s lakes. In summer months, Maine lakes often thermally stratify and the lake hypolimnion develops anoxia, leading to a reduction in redox potential at the sediment-water interface. These reducing conditions facilitate the reductive dissolution of ferric iron, and, since phosphorus is often present in freshwater lake sediments as solid FeOOH-PO₄ complexes, results in release of soluble phosphorus into the water column. Our current study presents field and laboratory data from sediment fractionation extractions designed to quantify concentrations of …

Sandy Buck '78: Seeing Light Amidst The Gloom, Gerry Boyle

Colby Magazine

"If you look at the macro you could come to a grinding halt and throw your hand up. But when you look at the local, and even state and regional levels, there are reasons for hope." -Sandy Buck '78

Presence And Potential Sources Of Pharmaceutical And Personal Care Product Chemicals In Messalonskee Lake, Alyssa T. Kullberg

Honors Theses

Pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals (PPCPs) represent a large group of contaminants that are mostly not regulated in surface or drinking water and whose presence and environmental and health impacts are poorly understood. We investigated the presence and potential sources of 18 PPCPs in Messalonskee Lake. We collected samples four times over the summer of 2017 at 13 sites around the lake. Samples were tested for PPCPs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We detected five out of the 18 PPCPs we tested for at the ng/L level: caffeine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, acetaminophen, sulfachloropyridazine, and amphetamine. PPCPs showed a significant positive correlation …

Pharmaceutical And Personal Care Products Concentrations In The Belgrade Lakes: A Possible Threat To Aquatic Ecosystems And Human Health, Serena Haver

Honors Theses

Pharmaceuticals and active ingredients from personal care products (PPCPs) include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, sunscreen, fragrances, and soaps. Recently researchers have detected PPCPs in surface waters, posing a threat to aquatic biota and human health. These compounds can enter the environment through dumping, direct excretion, or sewage effluent streams. We tested 14 water samples from East Pond, Great Pond, and Long Pond in Maine for the presence of 23 different PPCPs. Of those, we only detected significant levels of caffeine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, and amphetamine all below 1µg/L. There were no significant differences between any of the three lakes for any of …

The Effect Of Azo Textile Dyes On Gross Primary Production And Community Respiration In An Artificial Environment, Theresa L. Petzoldt

Honors Theses

Azo dyes are the largest category of textile dyes in production today, with over 100,000 tons of dye produced yearly in the United States. Ten to fifty percent of this dye is not fixed to the fabric during the textile production process, and is therefore discarded as effluent. Because dye waste is difficult to process in wastewater treatment facilities, it is important to understand how this waste affects aquatic systems using a whole ecosystem approach. This study used an artificial stream to model the effects of four azo dyes on benthic biofilm production and respiration. Dyes were found to have …

Changing Water Quality In Great Pond: The Roles Of Lake Sediments, Invasive Macrophytes, And The Watershed, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Great Pond (2012, 2010, 1998)

Eutrophication as a result of human activity is a threat to lake water quality globally and within the state of Maine. Great Pond, in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine, has traditionally been an oligotrophic lake that is experiencing early signs of eutrophication and is currently classified as a mesotrophic lake. In the fall of 2012, the Colby Environmental Assessment Team (CEAT) measured the primary sources of nutrient loading to Great Pond including the catchment and the lake sediment, current water quality in Great Pond, and the potential impact of the variable milfoil invasion on the lake’s water quality. An …

The Missing Link: The Ecology Of The Serpentine And The Implications For East And North Ponds [Presentation], Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: East and North Ponds (2011, 1999, 1996, 1991)

No abstract provided.

Buffernomics: Assessing Willingness To Pay For Lake Conservation On North Pond And East Pond, Sophie D. Sarkar

Honors Theses

Hedonic property valuations in Maine have estimated that a one-meter decrease in water clarity can reduce shoreline property values by 4 to 16%. To avoid a loss on their lakefront investment, shoreline property owners have a particularly large incentive to conserve lake water quality. Nevertheless, while some shoreline residents voluntarily install vegetated buffers and actively participate in lake stewardship, others continue to ignore shoreline zoning laws at the expense of lake health. In this thesis, I examine the dichotomy of active and indifferent shoreline residents by analyzing the motivations that distinguish residents who are willing to pay (WTP) for and …

Biomass Energy At Colby College, Rachel E. Baron

Honors Theses

In light of growing concern regarding the effects of global climate change, Colby College signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2008. Through this pledge, Colby has committed to reducing carbon emissions in its Climate Action Plan (IPCC 2007; CCAP 2010). The College seeks to be carbon neutral by 2015 (CCAP 2010). This will be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms, one of which includes the construction of a biomass facility to replace most of the oil currently used for heating (CCAP 2010).

Anthropogenic global climate change has been documented by many scientists, but was widely …

Impacts Of Shoreline Development On The Littoral Zone Of Great Pond, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Great Pond (2012, 2010, 1998)

The Colby Environmental Assessment Team (CEAT) investigated the littoral zone of Great Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region of central Maine. Data collection occurred in September and October and analysis followed in October and November of 2010. Physical, biological, and chemical parameters were assessed to examine the impacts of shoreline development on the health of the littoral community. The littoral zone and adjacent riparian areas were sampled to allow comparison of aquatic and terrestrial parameters among different levels of shoreline development.

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Webber Pond Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Webber Pond (2002)

The Webber Pond watershed was chosen as our study site. It is a characteristic New England lake located in Vassalboro, Maine. Webber Pond is a popular site for recreation and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Like all other lakes in Maine, it is a young lake. However, intensive human activity in the watershed contributes a substantial amount of nutrients and the lake has algal blooms anually in the summer months.

The purpose of this study was to asses the impact of land use and development on the water quality of Webber Pond. Physical and chemical …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Lake George And Oaks Pond Watersheds, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Other Area Studies

There has always been an inexplicable wonder associated with the beauty of Maine lakes. In addition to their aesthetic value, lakes and ponds provide important habitats for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. The attraction of the lake's natural beauty, however, can increase recreational pressures that may lead to human induced eutrophication. Lake George and Oaks Pond were chosen as the Colby Environmental Assessment Team's (CEAT) study sites due to the concern about potential human induced eutrophication of both water bodies. Lake George and Oaks Pond are situated in southern Somerset County, Maine, and experience heavy recreational and developmental uses. Neither water …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Lake Wesserunsett Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Other Area Studies

The Colby Environmental Assessment Team (CEAT) engaged in an extensive data collection and analysis effort from September to December of 2000 to produce a comprehensive evaluation of the ecological health of the Lake Wesserunsett ecosystem. CEAT examined several factors related to lake water quality, including land use within the watershed, the impacts of residential and commercial development, and physical and chemical measurements of the lake itself. Lake water quality was the primary focus of the study due to its predictive value regarding overall watershed function and viability. The accumulation of nutrients in a lake due to surface runoff and erosion …

Water Quality In East Pond: Factors Contributing To Algal Blooms And Strategies For Remediation, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: East and North Ponds (2011, 1999, 1996, 1991)

Human activity within the watershed can greatly accelerate the eutrophication process by increasing the rate at which nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter the lake (Fernandez et al. 1992). Increased nutrient loading causes dramatic increases in algal populations resulting in algal blooms. Many New England lakes develop a greenish tint because of algal blooms during early summer or early fall (Smith, 1992). Populations of bacteria which feed on organic material rise because of increased food supply. Bacterial activity decreases the level of dissolved oxygen in the lake (Henderson-Seller and Markland, 1987). This process has occurred in East Pond and …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Messalonskee Lake Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Other Area Studies

The main purpose of this study is to assess the current land use patterns and their influences on the water quality of Messalonskee Lake, including the biotic and abiotic parameters which are involved. More specifically, four main objectives were proposed. First, was to calculate the water budget and flushing rate for Messalonskee Lake. Second, was to determine the influence of current and historical land use patterns on lake water quality. Third, was to utilize gathered information to construct a phosphorus model, which will enable future water quality predictions to be made. Our fourth and final objective was to make recommendations …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The North Pond Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: East and North Ponds (2011, 1999, 1996, 1991)

Human activity within the watershed can greatly accelerate the eutrophication process by increasing the rate at which nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter the lake (Fernandez et al. 1992). Increased nutrient loading causes dramatic increases in algal populations resulting in algal blooms. Many New England lakes develop a greenish tint because of algal blooms during early summer or early fall. Populations of bacteria which feed on organic material rise because of increased food supply. Bacterial activity decreases the level of dissolved oxygen in the lake (Henderson-Seller and Markland, 1987). A sharp decrease in dissolved oxygen levels can cause massive …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Long Pond, South Basin Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Long Pond, South (2007, 1995)

Long Pond, South Basin receives nutrient inputs from a variety of sources, including roads, construction projects, logging practices, and human waste from subsurface waste disposal systems. If any of these sources are near tributaries or the shoreline, the nutrients can be easily transported into the lake itself. The lake is also used recreationally for boating, fishing and swimming, and is utilized as a source of drinking water for seasonal shoreline residences. The watershed contains the Mt. Vernon and Belgrade transfer stations, and the dump has been capped at each of these stations.

Historically, Long Pond, South Basin has not suffered …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Long Pond, North Basin Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Long Pond, North (2006, 1994)

Long Pond has been used recreationally over time for boating, fishing and swimming. Additional uses include drinking water and various types of waste disposal. In past winters, sawdust from lumber mills has been placed on the ice that covers the north basin of Long Pond (Ed Mayer pers. comm.). This may raise total phosphorus levels at depth and could lead to problems in the future. Activities which raise organic sediments input into the lake should be avoided.

A major purpose of our study was to analyze the present water quality of Long Pond, North Basin, including the biotic and abiotic …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Salmon Lake Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Salmon Lake and McGrath Pond (2009, 1993)

Salmon Lake has a history of algal blooms which have decreased the recreational and aesthetic value of the lake (Nichols et al. 1984). As early as the 1920’s, Salmon Lake was reported to have poor water quality. Algal blooms were reported throughout the 1970’s. Numerous complaints led to a study in 1975 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) and another in 1984 by the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the cause of the accelerated algal growth in the ponds. Both studies concluded that the primary cause of these algal blooms was high concentrations of phosphorus in the water. …

An Analysis Of The Pattee Pond Watershed In Relation To Lake Water Quality, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Water Organization For Mending Yesterday's Nature, Colby College, Student Land Use Group Study, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Pattee Pond (2008, 1992)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the water quality of Pattee Pond and to determine the factors that influence it. The study was divided into two major portions: 1) an assessment of land use practices that influence the water quality of the pond, and 2) an assessment of actual water quality of the pond and its tributaries. The investigation of the land use practices in the Pattee Pond watershed focused on determining the extent to which humans influence the water quality of the lake. Water from Pattee Pond and its tributaries was sampled and analyzed in the second …

An Analysis Of East Pond And The Serpentine Watersheds In Relation To Water Quality, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: East and North Ponds (2011, 1999, 1996, 1991)

The Belgrade Lakes in central Maine are important local ecological and recreational resources. The belgrade chain includes the following lakes: East Pond, North Pond, Great Pond, Long Pond, Salmon Lake and Messalonskee Lake. These lakes are all interconnected within the system driving into the Kennebec River through the Messalonskee Stream (Garrity and Putnam, 1971). East Pond is the first lake in the lake chain and it plays a pivotal role in influencing subsequent lakes. Therefore, the water quality of this lake is important not only to East Pond residents but to the residents of the entire lakes region.

East pond …

A Resource Inventory And Impact Analysis Of Great Bog And The Horse Point Delta/Esker System, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Biologists Organized For Ecosystem Assessment, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Other Area Studies

In May of 1990, Tilcon-Maine, Inc. submitted an application to mine gravel on the east side of Horse Point Road on Horse Point in the Town of Belgrade. The project site covers 46 acres and the proposed excavation covers 16 acres. An estimated 740,000 cubic yards of material will be removed over a period of six or seven years (Pfister, pers. comm.). According to Tilcon (Timson et al., 1990) the maximum depth of the pit will be 78 feet and the bottom of the pit will be a minimum of 6 feet above the water table. At the present time …

An Analysis Of The Factors Influencing Eutrophication Within The China Lake Watershed, Student Collective Organized Against Lake Eutrophication, Colby College, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: China Lake (2005, 1989)

Lake eutrophication is the natural process of aging in the lake body with establishment and multiplication of organism over time. The sediment and decaying matter accumulate, gradually filling in the lake basin, transforming the lake from a deep lake to dry land. This process affects the physical make-up of the lake as well as the ecological and biological composition. Eutrophication usually takes thousands of years. However, human interference has greatly accelerated the process by increasing rates of sedimentation and phosphorus loading. China lake has undergone accelerated eutrophication in recent years causing a growing concern for water quality. Algal populations, stimulated …