Temperature
Water temperature plays an important part in maintaining a healthy aquatic 
ecosystem. Temperature generally ranges between 10-30 degrees Celsius and can 
be affected by factors such as air temperature, presence of shade, and thermal 
pollution. On February 19, 2004, site 1 was recorded at 31.1°C. Possible 
contributing factors include lack of shade, shallow depth, and excessive 
solar warming. Temperature also relates to other factors such as turbidity 
because murky water retains more heat. 

pH
pH refers to the acidity or basic nature of a solution. It plays a 
vital role in aquatic ecosystems. Minor variations in pH can have 
lethal consequences.  The ideal pH range that supports most life forms 
is from 6.5 to 8.2. Most of the pH data obtained from Enchanted Lakes 
conforms to this standard, although the slight occasional deviation 
leaned toward a more basic pH, most likely due to seawater intrusion.

Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is necessary to sustain most forms of aquatic 
life.  Atmospheric oxygen is introduced into water through the 
processes of diffusion, aeration and the photosynthesis of aquatic 
plants. Some of the factors that decrease DO are warm temperatures, 
decaying organic materials, impaired water movement and over abundant 
human activity. Excessive organic decay is usually present in swamps, 
or areas that commonly have low DO content. Times Coffee Shop 
(Site 2) is a good illustration of such an area and had an extremely 
low DO reading of 0.7.

BOD
The amount of oxygen present removed by plants, animals, and 
organic material present in the water sample is the Biochemical 
Oxygen Demand (BOD). It is calculated by subtracting the DO level 
on the fifth day from the original level on the first day. Excessive 
decomposing organic material and its accompanying colonies of aerobic 
bacteria deplete the dissolved oxygen causing high BOD levels. The highest 
BOD level was recorded at site 3 on April 8, 2004. On that day, an 
abundance of decomposing plant material and human refuse was observed, 
explaining the high BOD reading of 5.5.

Conductivity
Conductivity relates closely to salinity and measures the level of 
soluble salt content. As expected, the highest conductivity measurements 
were recorded at site 1, located closest to the ocean. Other contributing 
factors for conductivity include agricultural and residential runoff, 
fertilizers, and pesticides. Although the highest conductivity readings 
were near the sea, all of the Enchanted Lake sites had high levels, most 
likely due to saltwater intrusion. 

Salinity
Salinity measures the salt content of water. Inland water bodies have 
little to no salinity, although it steadily increases as it gets closer 
to the ocean.  Site 1, located roughly 50 meters from the ocean, showed 
the highest salinity readings. The salinity readings at inland sites could 
be attributed to salt water seepage. Heavy rainfall is a factor that can 
cause salinity readings to drop as the salt content is diluted.

Turbidity
Turbidity is the term used to measure the amount of particulate 
matter present in water. Water with high turbidity decreases the 
photosynthetic rate of aquatic plants and increases water temperature. 
Both can be harmful to a host of aquatic organisms. Soil erosion, runoff, 
industrial wastes, and excessive organic material cause turbidity. It is 
measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units, generally ranging from 0 to 100, 
0 being the clearest. Site 5 had the highest turbidity measurement at 
59 NTU. The area is enclosed by townhouses and subject to excessive runoff 
and soil erosion, both of which could explain this exceptionally high reading.

Combined Nitrate + Nitrite
Combined nitrate + nitrite a measure of inorganic nitrogen, the sum 
of nitrates and nitrites. Both are essential plant nutrients but can 
cause algal overgrowth in excess amounts. Fertilizer, sewage leaks 
and decomposing plant material all contribute to combined nitrogen 
levels in aquatic environments.  The state criterion for combined 
nitrogen in a healthy water body is .008 mg/L. All of the data collected 
from Enchanted Lakes gave combined readings that far exceeded the state 
criteria figure. All of the sites that were analyzed are located in 
heavily populated residential areas and are subject to fertilizer-rich 
runoff. This could explain the high combined nitrogen levels collected 
over the study period.

Total Nitrogen
Total Nitrogen is a measurement of the sum of organic and inorganic 
nitrogen in a water body. Factors that introduce this nutrient into 
the environment include sewage and residential runoff, soil erosion, 
and organic decomposition. The state criteria for total nitrogen 
content in a healthy body of water should not exceed 0.25 mg/L. Most 
of the data collected from Enchanted Lakes gave figures that were far 
above state criteria, such as a level of 1.437 mg/L collected from 
site 2 on March 4, 2004. It is possible that heavy spring showers 
caused an overflow of nutrient rich untreated sewage, thereby boosting 
the total nitrogen level.

Total Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a nutrient that is present in high quantities in 
fertilizers, pesticides and organic wastes. Agricultural runoff is 
the main source of Phosphorus in the environment. It causes problems 
in aquatic environments by stimulating the intense growth of algae and 
triggers the process of eutrophication. This lowers the dissolved oxygen 
content in water, creating an uninhabitable environment. The State 
criteria for Total Phosphorus in a healthy aquatic environment is 
0.025 mg/L. The geometric mean for all Enchanted Lakes sites exceeded 
this figure, the two highest locations being sites 2 and 5 with a mean 
of 0.53 mg/L. Site 2 is a marsh area with high quantities of decaying 
organic material, possibly contributing to this figure.  Site 5 receives 
influent from many small streams, and it is possible that the
collective Phosphorus content results in occasional high levels. The
contributing streams all flow through residential areas and are subject 
to lawn runoff. 

Lead
One of the more commonly known heavy metals is lead. It is an element that is
present in many commonly used products like gasoline, insecticides, and car
batteries. Human activity introduces lead into the environment where it
resists environmental degradation. This element is toxic to most organisms.
Once introduced to the body, lead stays and accumulates causing serious system
malfunctions and occasionally death. The highest lead levels were recorded at
site 1, possibly because it is close to vehicular traffic on the main road. 

