Poster Details
USING d18O TO TRACK PO4 ENTERING THE WESTERN BASIN OF LAKE ERIE
Algal blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie are dependent upon nutrients provided by major rivers within Northwest Ohio. To develop more accurate methods of defining which of these waterways is the largest contributor, a proof of concept study is being conducted using d18O of phosphate molecules. In the summer of 2016, 10-20L samples of water were collected at the several major branches within the Portage River, at the mouths of the Portage, Maumee, and Sandusky Rivers, and at two locations within the Western Basin. Silver phosphate was then precipitated from these water samples for d18O analysis.
Initial results suggest that equilibration due to biological processing within the water column may be producing deviation from expected d18O patterns. Examining rates of equilibrium, incorporating water isotope ratios and water temperatures, and fractionation will provide more insight. Collection of water samples under high flow conditions this spring will also offer guidance as large runoff events and shorter residence time allows less equilibration and fractionation. These d18O values, collectively, will determine the validity of this novel method of tracking inorganic phosphorus.
Melanie Marshall (Primary Presenter/Author), Bowling Green State University, melaniemarshall14@gmail.com;
Gabrielle Metzner ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Bowling Green State University, gmetzne@bgsu.edu;
Kevin McCluney ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Bowling Green State University, kmcclun@bgsu.edu;