Date of Graduation

5-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Scott, Thad

Committee Member/Reader

Scott, Thad

Committee Member/Second Reader

Brye, Kristofor

Committee Member/Third Reader

Wood, Lisa

Abstract

Eutrophication is a problem in many lakes, but the reduction of nutrient inputs such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to combat eutrophication can lead to an oligotrophic state, which may be unable to support healthy aquatic ecosystems. This study examined how different rates of chemical fertilization with N and P during times of nutrient limitation (mid-summer) could affect particulate N and C concentrations in four lakes in northwest Arkansas. Fertilization experiments were conducted in microcosms during the month of July 2014. Water samples from each lake were collected and divided into six treatments: control, P-only, N:P 10, 20, 40, and 80. Concentrations of particulate N and C were quantified using elemental analysis. For each lake, particulate N and C generally increased as N:P supply increased. The lack of a significant difference between higher level N:P treatments (N:P 20 and 40 versus N:P 80) suggests on a whole-lake scale, a lower rate of fertilizer addition can be used and still achieve the same effects seen with greater N:P treatments.

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