Water Quality Analysis of Tryon Creek State Park

1
Water Quality Analysis of Tryon Creek State
Park By Matthew J LaForce Environmental
Chemistry II WQT134 Spring 07
Abstract I analyzed one grab sample collected
beneath high bridge at the thalweg of Tryon Creek
located in Tryon Creek State Park, Oregon. This
creek is the spawning habitat for Coho salmon.
Recently, salmon populations have drastically
decreased in the Creek new creek restoration
efforts are being implored to help increase
spawning habitat. I wanted to determine the
water quality of the creek to determine if water
quality may play a role in decreased salmon
populations. Thus, I analyzed my sample via
titration, as well as using a ion specific
electrode. I performed the following analysis
pH, acidity, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium
carbonate saturation, and total Fe. My sample
contained 0.1 mg/l Fe but had a hardness of 250
mg/L as CaCO3. Overall water quality was normal
and thus restoration may be necessary to improve
habitat.

• Methods and Materials
• Standard method procedure 2350 (), 4500 (), etc.
• A spectrophotometer at 510 nm was used for Total
  Fe analysis
• pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and
  nitrate-nitrogen was measured using calibrated
  sension Hach probes
• Chlorine demand was measured suing a HACH DR110
  colorimeter.
• Langelier Stability Index (LSI) determined from
  TDS, Temp, pH, hardness, and P alk data
  extrapolated from a nomograph

• Discussion
• pH was 7.2 which is acceptable for aqautic
  habitat
• Dissolved oxygen is adequate for aquatic habitat
• Total iron in water from local geologic (i.e.,
  basalt rich) matrices
• Nitrate-nitrogen below DWS most likely from
  septic tank leakage
• Although it a river sample the LSI of -1.5 is
  mildly corrosive

• Objectives
• Analyze basic water quality parameters of Tryon
  Creek
• Assess water quality as related to decreased Coho
  salmon spawning levels.

Results Figure 2. Visual results of
environmental chemistry tests Table
1. Summary Table of chemical results

• Summary
• Water quality is adequate at Tryon Creek to
  support Coho salmon

Location Map Figure 1. Location Map of
Sampling sites. X denotes specific sample
location for water quality analysis
Sample LSI pH Dissolved Oxygen mg/L Conductivity mmho/cm TDS mg/L Acidity as mg/L CaCO3 P alk as mg/L CaCO3 T alkalinity as mg/L CaCO3 Total Fe mg/L Nitrate-nitrogen mg/L

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Martinko J (editors). (2005). Brock Biology of
Microorganisms, 11th ed., Prentice Hall. ISBN
0-13-144329-1.  Ryan KJ Ray CG (editors)
(2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology, 4th ed.,
McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9