By Mary Carson, Valerie Du, and Abigail Jewell

YWSI 2009

What is causing the Upper Hocking River watershed to

be polluted?

The Upper Hocking River Watershed

The River’s Impairments The Upper Hocking River suffers

from:A low pH levelOils and grease within the

waterToo many nutrients, especially

phosphate and nitrogenSiltationMetals dissolved within the

waterMany parts of the river are

channelized

County InformationFairfield, Perry, and

Hocking counties.Forests and agricultural

areas.1197 square milesThe Hocking River goes through 7 countiesLancaster is the fastest growing region of our

watershed

Mary’s HypothesisAs the amount of Nitrogen increases,

the diversity of the fish population decreases

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AvIBITotal Nitrogen

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Impacts of NitrogenOn Fish

As the total nitrogen levels increased the fish population decreased.

Increased Nitrogen levels often cause disease in fish.

It also suppresses oxygen levels

When water high in Nitrogen is consumed, the Nitrogen takes the place of oxygen in the blood stream

High levels of Nitrogen in drinking water are especially harmful to newborn infants.

On Humans

Valerie’s Hypothesis10

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Diversity of Fish vs. pH Levels

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When the measure of pH in the water becomes more acidic, the diversity of fish, also known as IBI,

decreases.

AnalysisMy hypothesis was well supported by the

data.

Abby’s Hypothesis: As Agriculture Development Increases, Phosphate

Levels Also Increase.

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.700.0%

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%

f(x) = 0.819320079682292 x + 0.304967859288318R² = 0.328326424218583

Agricultural Development vs. Phosphate Levels

Maximum Phosphate Level

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Analysis Agricultural development

increased, the phosphate levels rose.

Algae grows very quickly and dies after a short period.

Algae decomposes very slowly.

Decomposing algae requires a lot of oxygen.

High levels of nutrients such as phosphate indirectly hurt the fish population

ConclusionsWe conclude that high Nitrogen, Phosphate,

and acidic pH levels are all causes of pollution in the Upper Hocking River.

Other causes of pollution that were less prominent : coal mining, siltation, grease, oil, and other habitat alterations.

Improving Our Watershed•The Friends of the Hocking River and The Hocking River Commission are the two main organizations that preserve the environment around the Upper Hocking River.•The Hocking River Commission reduce runoff by adding more easements surrounding the river.•They are having informing public meetings

Group Members: Abby, Mary, Valerie & Roberta

Group 3

Special Thanks to…

Katie Hossler, Paula Williams, Steve Gordon, Shannon Schraegle, and Leslie Southern