DIFFERENCES IN ALGAE COUNT OF TWO LOCATIONS IN THE LAKE HEFNER AREA OF OKLAHOMA

Abstract

With phosphorus and nitrogen being the driving forces of eutrophication, we wanted to know how water from the same system could be affected by human intervention. To do this we tested sources from a lake and a nearby golf course in the same water system. We then counted the algae cells using a microscope and recorded our data on a hemocytometer chart to determine the density of algae. So far, our results have been somewhat conclusive, but do not coincide with our hypothesis. Therefore, we have seen a correlation between the location of the sample and the algae count. These results could aid in better understanding how human intervention affects eutrophication of algae.