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Gloeotrichia Project on Great & Long Ponds
With funding from BLA, Professors Whitney King and David Firmage of Colby College launched a formal study in the summer of 2005 and continued it 2006. The study went well. The final report is being readied for summer 2008 following up on the 2007 release of preliminary findings in the FAQ (frequently asked questions). Also available is the study’s initial compendium of the literature from recent Colby graduate Douglas Laliberte and Dr. King.
The Belgrade Lakes Association provided $12,000 to fund the salaries of two students during the summer of 2005 and paid for equipment and supplies to probe the nature of the Gloeotrichia bloom. Andrew Johnson '06 and Ta-Chung Ong '07 were hired to work on the project. Weather conditions, water temperatures, and nutrient levels in the water and the algae were monitored. The researchers strove to better understand the conditions that promote growth of the cyanobacterium and the relationship of its nutritional needs and byproducts with the chemical counterparts in the water.
Volunteer lake residents were assigned observation posts around the shore and over deeper waters to take periodic readings of gloeotrichia densities, associated weather conditions, and reactions of swimmers. Their observations were submitted to Colby to help fill out the larger picture in which the more focused and precise measurements of the Colby scientists were to be placed. A diagram of the study organization helps one understand all of its components. We are truly fortunate to have such expertise available to study our ponds and to help us understand what is going on in our own back yards. (You may find it interesting to visit the working website at Colby to see what the volunteers had to work with.)
Volunteer monitoring will be resumed in the summer of 2008 with some added measurements to help answer questions posed by the previous study, to keep watch for new or expanding problems, and to document long term trends.
Anyone wishing to join the 2008 observation team, particularly in the southern half of either pond, submit your name through the contact address on this website or call 495-6039.
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