Proof of Contamination

Lauren McConnell, Department of Earth Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688. E-mail: [email protected] Perch Creek and Alligator Bayou are tributaries to Dog River, both being similar in nature and close in proximity. The goal of this project is to determine whether Alligator Bayou contains a higher concentration of phosphorus and nitrates due to agricultural run-off. This question may be of interest due to the location of a local plant nursery upstream on Alligator Bayou. A comparative study of the plants along the banks of both creeks serves as an indicator to possible differing nitrate and phosphorus amounts in the waters. In conducting the research, plants along both creeks are chosen at random and then analyzed. Plant color, health, variety, thickness, and amount of buds and blooms are general indicators of expected growth and development, and these are the aspects of the plants that are compared between the creeks. Observations of the overall condition of both creeks, as well as specific testing of specific sites along the creeks, has proven that there is, in fact, an inarguable difference in the quality of vegetation along Alligator Bayou and Perch Creek. However, the reason for this difference is yet to be proven. This type of information is what the Dog River Clearwater Revival may need in order to propose that local plant nurseries do need assistance in the prevention and suppression of agricultural run-off.