Date of Award
Master of Arts
It has been well established that chemical and physical factors exert a marked effect upon the plankton population in bodies of water. However, the literature reveals the fact that the same chemical and physical factors not only produce a different effect upon plankton in different bodies of water, but are not consistent in their effects upon plankton in like bodies of water. For example, Birge and Juday (1911) made a study of 150 lakes, not widely separated in distance or varying in topographic conditions. These lakes were also of the same age, yet all were individual as to the amount of dis solved gases, organic matter, temperature, minute geology, productivity and ability to support a population of plankton.
The work herein reported on was undertaken ta make a comparison of similar factors and their effects upon plankton population in a body of water located in Richmond. Accordingly, a study was made of a few of the more common factors which might be expected to play an important role in the plankton population of artificial lakes or ponds. The factors selected tor this study were dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, temperature, alkalinity, acidity, suspended matter and precipitation. These factors have been considered by Birge end Juday (1911), Tressler and Bere (1939), Prescott, et al. (1945), Brinley (l942a) and Pennak (1946) to be important influences on plankton population.
The results of this study are intended to serve ae a report on the effects of the named factors on the plankton population in an artificial lake between October 23, 1947, and March 20, 1948.