Dissolved Oxygen
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Executive Summary:
Dissolved oxygen is relatively low in the Duck Pond, fish can not survive in this environment due to the ground water aspect. Levels are average for the Duck Pond, however are low for most bodies of surface water.
What is it? 🫧
DO known as dissolved oxygen is the amount of gaseous oxygen molecules that are mixed into water
Not the oxygen atoms in the water molecules themselves.
Why is it important?
High dissolved oxygen is positive for supporting aquatic life (fish, gulled aquatic life)
can lead to better taste in drinking water
Does low or high DO matter?
Low DO levels can create Dead Zones where fish cannot survive due to lack of oxygen
High DO levels can create Ecosystem Imbalances; can develop gas bubble disease or respiratory distress and fish death
High DO levels can signal algae growth that can circulate into dead zones
Acceptable levels are between 3-21
Affects On Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Temperature
Hot water can be a pollutant, decreasing the amount of DO
Colder water can holds more DO
Nutrients
Nutrients
Nutrients isn't a direct affect-er but what it creates
It creates algae blooms
Decomposes eat the algae bloom taking DO with it
Creating Dead zones and fish kills
Salinity
Salinity
Salt water holds less DO
Salt takes more molecule/ion space
unsalted water has more DO
Testing Location- The Castalia Duck Pond 🦆
⭐ Important things to know about The Castalia Duck Pond before the data:
The Duck Pond is ground water fed
The Duck Pond is a Spring
The Duck Pond's retention time is around 5-7 days
⭐ What Are We Testing For?
Compare the dissolved oxygen levels between specific dates and determine whether there is a significant difference or not
Years - 2025 vs 2023
Years are significantly different (p=0.00). This could be because..
Variation in climate such as a storm that had happened in 2023 that brought more movement
Can cause change because it is ground water fed.
.
Year - 2024 vs 2025
Years are significantly different (p=0.02). This could be because..
weather change (lots and lack of movement)
overabundance or lack of nutrients changing levels
Pollution
new retention vs old retention
September 30, 2025 & September 26, 2025 (4 days)
Years are not significantly different (p=0.79). This could be because..
Ground water fed; Duck pond is a spring that is ground water feed; which cause less movement.
Tested a few days; retention time is a week: testing the same water
Average DO level 1.9 on 30th and 1.8 on 26th;
Years - 2025 vs 2022
Years are significantly different (p=0.00). This could be because..
Ducks swimming or lack of them
Big significant climate event
overabundance or lack of nutrients changing levels
How can we keep DO levels normal?
Adding Riffles, Water falls or adding any type of movement
Regulate Temperature and Regulate Salinity
Aquatic life and plants
Clean it out! Get rid out algae!
Manage pollution input
Page Creators
Jenae' B Farrell- Margaretta Class of '26
Carmella Fitzthum- Margaretta Class of '27
Alex Solano- Margaretta Class of '27
Addyson Fitzthum- Margaretta Class of '27
Page updated
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