Date of Award:

5-1972

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Department name when degree awarded

Wildlife Resources

Committee Chair(s)

Donald B. Porcella

Committee

Donald B. Porcella

Committee

Raymond Lynn

Committee

William F. Sigler

Committee

Eldon J. Gardner

Abstract

Investigations of limited and selected areas along the western shore of Bear Lake were carried out to determine the relative algal productivity with relation to nutrient concentrations and incident sunlight. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effects of nutrient changes in the littoral zone on the western shore on the algal productivity and to establish a baseline of data.

l4C02 radioisotope was used as the principal measurement of organic carbon production as an estimate of productivity. Chlorophyll extracts were made and used as a secondary method for the estimation of productivity. Chemical analysis of the water was also carried out during the study to determine the effect of the various nutrients on algal productivity. Samples were collected from May 7, 1971 to September 6, 1971 on randomly selected days.

Average milligrams of carbon assimilated per cubic meter per day ranged from about 1 to 362 with a mean of 30.0 mg. During the study the orthophosphate values ranged from 0.0 to 325 ug/l with a mean of 34 ug/I.

Nitrite values ranged from 0.0 to 1.0 ug/l as nitrogen, with a mean of .50, and nitrate values ranged from 0.0 to 6.0 ug/l as nitrogen, with a mean of .05. Ammonia values ranged from 2.0 L 500 ug/l as nitrogen, with a mean of 95 ug/l, and alkalinity values ranged from 224 to 327 mg/l as CaC03 with a mean of 277 mg/I.

Productivity estimates in this limited study indicate that at this time the littoral zone on the western shore of Bear Lake is generally unpolluted and quite oligotrophic.

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