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Compiling the table was relatively easy; however, establishing a ranking system for algal growth significance required some thought. In the end, I chose to use a ranking from 0 to 5 with 5 indicating “very significant quantity of algal growth.” Summarizing the data within the table was easy as the SonoTek Flow Tracker 2 used takes the 20-25 discharge and depth measurements taken within the creek and provides an average depth and total discharge.
Deciding on a graph format to use was completed with trial and error. Initially I had completed a graph plotting both discharge and depth against algal growth significance. Instead, I chose to create two separate graphs (i.e. discharge vs. algal growth significance and depth vs. algal growth significance) to convey the data as algal growth significance showed a correlation with discharge but no relationship could be inferred between depth and algal significance. This surprised me as water temperature increases with shallower water and temperature increases encourage algal growth, thus making me presume that a relationship between algal growth and water depth could be established.
Many abiotic factors influence the growth of algal. It would be interesting to determine at what temperature does the influence of temperature on algal growth surpass the influence of discharge on algal growth (or vice versa). I would also be curious in exploring further if there is in fact no relationship between water depth and algal growth by conducting a controlled experiment where few abiotic factors are changing such as observing algal growth in a stagnant tank with only the water level changing.
The influence of discharge on algal growth was as expected; increase in discharge inhibits algal growth.
Not depicted within the graphs but displayed in the table is the relationship between turbulent or laminar flow and algal growth. As expected algal growth was observed in areas of laminar flow.
