A Continuing Study of Water Quality in the Pasquotank Watershed in Northeastern North Carolina Research Experience for Undergraduates in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Science Elizabeth City State University June 1- July 29,2016

2016 Water Quality Research Team Kamberlin King Kevin Benton Jeffrey Wood Mentor

Abstract The Pasquotank River Watershed is found in Northeast North Carolina beginning in the Great Dismal Swamp at the Virginia/North Carolina border and flows into the Albemarle Sound. The watershed provides a transition between the Great Dismal Swamp and the waters of the Albemarle Sound. The watershed is surrounded by a variety of landforms including swamps, farmland, and suburban developments. These produce a variety of runoff into the watershed affecting both the aquatic vegetation and marine life in the waters. This project built on the previous analysis of the four tributaries and the Pasquotank River completed in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Abstract (continued) The 2016 Research Experience for Undergraduates Pasquotank River Watershed Team completed one set of tests of the watershed. These test points originated from the 2011 and 2013 research projects with the addition of four points created in 2014 to sample further downstream in the Pasquotank River. The results were compared with previous readings utilizing a Water Quality Index (WQI), a unitless number ranging from 1 to 100 with higher numbers denoting better water quality. The waterways tested were the Pasquotank River, Newbegun Creek, Knobbs Creek, Areneuse Creek, Mill Dam Creek, and Sawyers Creek. These creeks, along with the Pasquotank River, cover a large portion of the watershed and provided a wide area of study for the watershed.

Abstract (continued) Tests performed in the laboratory on this year’s samples include pH, salinity, total dissolved solids, and conductivity. Air/water temperature, dissolved oxygen, wind speed/direction, and turbidity/clarity measurements were taken in the field. The results collected were placed online and displayed in correlation to their position utilizing Google Maps. The data was then compared to the previous projects results.

Abstract (continued) The overall WQI for all of the tested waterways combined remained in a constant pattern. All of the waterways, except for Sawyers Creek, were at their lowest WQI when being compared to past research ranging from 2011 to 2015. The Lower Pasquotank still has the best water quality index, but the waterway had a significant decrease in its water quality score. When compared to the results of the 2014 team and the 2015 team, the Lower Pasquotank water quality went from a good Water Quality Index score to a medium Water Quality Index score, dropping 21 points. Newbegun Creek, Areneuse Creek, Mill Dam Creek, Sawyers Creek, Knobbs Creek, and the Pasquotank River all had bad Water Quality Index scores this year.

Points Tested Newbegun Creek Pasquotank River Knobbs Creek Mill Dam Creek Areneuse Creek Sawyers Creek This is a screenshot of the waterways and points tested. Newbegun Creek points are shown in the green at the bottom of the picture. (12 points) The Pasquotank River points are shown in yellow along with the Lower Pasquotank River points. (31 points) Knobbs Creek points are shown in hot pink to the left of the Pasquotank River (15 points) Mill Dam Creek and Areneuse Creek are the pink and red points that make a V shape along the Pasquotank River. (4 points each) Sawyers Creek points are shown in the light blue to the right of the Pasquotank River (10 points)

Tests Performed Dissolved Oxygen Total Dissolved Solids Salinity Conductivity pH Turbidity Clarity File used to analyze data from each point of every waterway. Allowed the team to see differences in data collected.

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx(GPS) MW600 Dissolved Oxygen Meter Test Equipment Secchi Disk 1)Secchi disk- Used to measure the clarity and turbidity. It has two sides. The black and white side is used to measure clarity, and the solid black side is used to measure turbidity. 2)The Anemometer was used to measure wind speed and air temperature. The wind speed was measure in knots. Air temperature was measured in degrees Celsius. 3)Self calibrating meter used to measure total dissolved solids, salinity, and conductivity. 4)Used to locate each point of each waterway. 5)Used to measure water temperature in degrees Celsius. It was lowered into the water at a depth of 3 feet for 1 minute to allow the thermometer to obtain an accurate reading. 6)Used to measure dissolved oxygen. Upon arrival of each point, the membrane was removed exposing the probe for testing. Then the probe was set in the water at a depth of three feet until the meter obtained a stable reading. The probe is then taken out of the water and the membrane is place back on the probe. 7)pH Meter was used to take the pH reading of the water samples. pH is the indication of whether the water is acidic or basic. Skymate Wind Meter Tracer Pocket Tester Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx(GPS) Mercury Thermometer pH Meter MW600 Dissolved Oxygen Meter

Software Applications Microsoft Excel Garmin Base Camp Google Drive Google Maps Dreamweaver 1)Spreadsheet program used to input data collected from all of testing to perform comparisons, analysis, averaging, and indent trends 2)Software application use to load point location and routes into the GPS. 3)Online application used to store documents and allowed data to be accessed by any team member. 4)Three-dimensional software used to allow the user to get an accurate reading on a specific location. It was used to show the results from the field test and in-house tests. 5)Program used to create the team website that was used to document the research and provide data visualization.

Methodology Field Testing Lab Testing Data Visualization Water Quality Index 1)The boat, canoe, and kayak was launched into the waterway and the test equipment and data collection equipment was securely placed inside of it. Each testing equipment item was secured to a certain platform in case of accidents. During field testing dissolved oxygen, wind speed, wind direction, air temp, water temp, clarity, and turbidity. Once the team reached each test point, field testing was conducted, data was collected and a water sample was collected. 2)After collecting data for every point, in-house testing was conducted. During in-house tests pH, TDS, conductivity, and salinity readings were collected from each water sample. 3)Collected data was entered into the Excel sheet in Google Drive and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to compare the different factor readings and readings of previous years. 4)After data collections were finalized, the readings from certain factors of the waterways were entered into the Water Quality Index Calculator.

Analysis Tools Excel File Water Quality Evaluation File used to analyze data from each point of every waterway. Allowed the team to see differences in data collected.

Excel Source Point Test Source is the name of the waterway. Point is the location testing in the waterway. Test is the water quality factor measured and tested.

Water Quality Index Calculator Calculator used to determine the Water Quality Index score for each waterway tested. To the left you can see that the data of certain factors entered in to acquire the Water Quality Index Score. To the right is the Water Quality Report for the factors entered in.

Water Quality Index Scores 1) The overall WQI for all of the tested waterways followed the same pattern over the years. By looking at the graph all of the waterways, except for Sawyers Creek were at their lowest WQI when being compared to past research experiments. However, the results of this project may have varied due to several changed in conducting the research. 2) A new dissolved oxygen meter was used and the method for calibrating the meter changed. 3) A different WQI calculator was used because the old one was a Windows operating system application. The Lower Pasquotank still had the best WQI over the others, but you can also tell the WQI score has decreased. The waterway went from a good WQI score to a medium WQI score, dropping 21 points. Newbegun Creek, Areneuse Creek, Mill Dam Creek, Sawyers Creek, Knobbs Creek and the Pasquotank River all had bad WQI scores. Sawyers Creek and Knobbs Creek are still share similar readings due to their size and location. Water Quality Index Score Range 0 – 25 = Very Bad 25 – 50 = Bad 50 – 70 = Medium 70 – 90 = Good 90+ = Excellent

Excel Graph Used to Compare Research The DO readings for 2016 experienced a drop in results. The warm temperatures may have been a factor in the drop. The Lower Pasquotank width plays a role in the waterway remaining on the top in dissolved oxygen readings. The TDS, salinity, and conductivity readings for 2016 increased in comparison to 2015 readings. Newbegun Creek was high in salinity readings due to the brackish water from the Lower Pasquotank. TDS and conductivity correlates with each other, and the pattern of the readings have been stable throughout every research year. The pH readings experienced a slight change. There were 4 base pH readings this year, which were held by Mill Dam Creek, Areneuse Creek, Newbegun Creek, and the Lower Pasquotank. Sawyers Creek, Knobbs Creek, and the Pasquotank River kept acidic pH readings. Knobbs Creek almost reached a neutral pH level at 6.95.

Conclusion Microsoft Excel File Water Quality Index Results & Similarities The Microsoft Excel File was helpful as it showed the variations and trends in data collections. The overall Water Quality Index score of the watershed was calculated and helped show the comparable levels from previous years. The Lower Pasquotank had the highest water quality rating and Areneuse Creek had the lowest. Dissolved oxygen measurements was a large factor in the variations of the WQI scores of the two streams. Google Map showed that each point near the Pasquotank River shared similar readings.

Future Works Control Company VWR Waterproof Thermometer A digital thermometer that is waterproof and shockproof. It ranges from -50 to 300 degrees Celsius. It also has the ability to recall the lowest and highest readings over any period. The meter is waterproof and allows more test to be conducted. Provides the project with accurate readings and decreases the chance of any interferences. The meter also displays the turbidity in Nephelometric Turbidity Units, which is necessary for the WQI calculator. Waterproof Portable Dissolved Oxygen and BOD Meter-HI98193 Portable Turbidity and Bentonite Check Meter - HI83749

Future Work (Continued) Fecal Coliform Total Phosphate Nitrate Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Several tests are recommended to be added to provide a better water quality index score. Fecal coliform- Amount of excrement in water Total Phosphate because phosphorus is necessary for the growth of plants and animals, and low levels of phosphorous limit the production of freshwater. Nitrate can enter the water by soil erosion or bacteria in the water. BOD- The amount of DO present for microorganism to decompose the organic matter in water

Knobbs Creek

Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge Dr. Linda Hayden for her leadership of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their funding of this program, and the REU staff for their daily assistance.

Questions?