-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