Analyzing the Water Quality at Marquette State Fish Hatchery

Analyzing the Water Quality at Marquette State Fish Hatchery

Having good water quality at a fish hatchery is a main priority in maintaining a healthy fish population. Bacteria in water used in raceways can pose a threat on fish at a hatchery. Total suspended solids can also affect hatchery fish by irritating gills or harboring harmful bacteria. Well and spring water tend to have fewer total suspended solids and bacteria, however creek water contains more. Total suspended solids can be highest during the spring, due to the melting snow and runoff. By measuring total suspended solids at different water stages (inflow, within raceways, discharge), bacteria count levels at the hatchery and comparing the measurements to weather data, a correlation could be found. Total suspended solids were recorded by vacuum filtrating, and bacteria counts were cultured to determine bacteria amounts. Both water and air temperature can also be related to bacteria counts. By comparing total suspended solids with bacteria counts and water temperature, a relationship can be found. Preventative measures, such as additional sediment traps or increasing the ultra violet light output can insure premium water quality within the hatchery, which also prevents unsafe discharge back into the ecosystem. A week at high temperatures during the study determined that snow melt directly affected total suspended solids and bacteria in the samples. A correlation was made to determine the relationship between temperature and total suspended solids and subsequently bacteria.

Eitniear, Tom

Biology

Lake Superior State University

2013

Copyright Tom Eitniear: All rights reserved. LSSU use only.

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S20230112004