Physical Measurements: Selected Results
¥ Transparency
¥Measures water clarity and suspended particulate matter
¥Transparency < 4 m = eutrophic
¥August mean=0.7 m
¥September mean=2.9 m
¥ Turbidity
¥Measures light scattered by suspended particulate matter
¥Normal <50 NTUs
¥August mean=23.6 NTUs
¥September mean=1.62 NTUs
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-Selected results from the physical test:
-Transparency-simplest way to evaluate water quality and trophic state of a lake
-measures water clarity as a result of suspended particulate matter, such as eroded soil, bottom sediment, and microscopic organisms in the water column
-influenceds most importantly by primary productivity, or algal biomass in water
-Maine lakes are classified as eutrophic less than 4m clarity
--our measurements indicate that TMP is eutrophic
--comparable to other Maine lakes, all China Region lakes are eutrophic
--low levels of transparency can limit photosynthetic rates, and increase respiration, leading to O2 depletion
-Turbidity- measures the effect of suspended inorganic and organic particulate matter on light in the water column
-High values can negatively influence primary production
-The aug value is significantly higher than the sep velue, prob due to recent algal bloom
-TMP means are slightly lower than average for other Maine lakes
-Turbidity readings co uld indicate low sediment loading in the lake