Emily UR - Welcoming fresh eyes

Halifax Plantation SMP

Tuscawilla Park SMP

Welcome to the blog OCE1001!
My name is Emily and I'm interested in nutrient pollution, specifically how much a sitting body of water receives after a rain event has passed through. I've been living in Florida for almost two years now and I've come to realize that this state is known for it's flat topography and thunderstorms just about as much as it's known for it's sunshine and orange juice. In order to prevent flooding in the flatlands, Stormwater Management Ponds (SMPs) are implemented in low-lying elevations to collect this rainwater which is essentially guided into the ponds via the higher elevations surrounding it. The water that drains from the surfaces into these SMPs is referred to as surface runoff and this water collects everything from decaying organic matter to fertilizer nutrients along the way to the pond where it accumulates and alongside surface water heating and low circulation of the water, has a high potential for creating an algae bloom.
I'm studying two stormwater management ponds to compare and contrast how much nutrients different environments will feed a pond after a rain event. The first SMP is located in the Halifax Plantation in Ormond Beach, a golfing community. The pond is surrounded by a fraction of golf course, 4 houses (one of which is currently being constructed) and is adjacent to Hwy I-95. The second SMP is located in Tuscawilla Park in Daytona Beach. The pond is just south of a small restroom in the park and a zipline course. Surrounding the pond are two paved roads and natural vegetation. This SMP is currently experiencing an algae bloom while the Halifax Plantation SMP is not.
So officially, my scientific question is this:
After a rain event, which SMP experiences the greatest amount of nutrient pollution?
To answer this question, I must look at my sources of nutrients which can be either from surface run off or from the composition of the atmosphere during the time of the rain, or a little of both. It's important to note that another student, Chris Browne, is studying the Tuscawilla SMP for bacteria, specifically E.coli which could help to determine if this pond is being polluted from the septic system at the park.
Materials:

• 4 2-Gallon Pails w/ handle
• VWR Clinical 20 Centrifuge
• Hach DR/890 Coloimeter
• Fisher Scientific MaximaDry Filter Pump
• 500mL bottles for water samples
• NOAA Hi-Def Radar app for iPhone
• NOAA HYSPLIT computer model

Method: 

1. Tracking a storm using the NOAA Radar app, I will collect two water samples from each SMP prior to the storm passing through. Before leaving, I will place two 2-gallon pails at each location to collect rainwater for later analysis.
2. Using Method 8048 to test for phosphate and Method 10021 to test for nitrogen with the Hach DR/890 Colorimeter, I will analyze the samples I collected prior to the storm.
3. Upon returning to my sites post-storm, the pails with the rainwater will be sealed and two more water samples from each pond will be collected for analysis. Each sample will be tested using the methods from step 2.
4. Using the NOAA HYSPLIT computer model, I will be able to create a backwards trajectory to see what kind of particulates I could expect to find in the collected water.

 I'm very open to any constructive criticism or thoughts and stoked to have a fresh set of eyes to review ongoing research.