LaToya Dunbar, Kristine Lawrence, Carli Moochler,

Megan Saunders, Brian Turkett

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There once was a group named Hy-Five,Who wanted to investigate why bacteria could survive.

At Ontario Beach, where kids swim all dayExcept when Charlie Knauff says, “the beach is

closed!Go away!”

Could this E.coli come from nearby ponds and streams?

We wondered…….so the Hy-Fivers set out to investigate as a team… 

Background Information2008 Criteria for Charlotte Beach Closings

(Charlie Knauff):Rainfall exceeding 0.7” and peak rainfall >0.40”/hrGenesee River High Flow:

high flow between 3500 and 5000cfs (pollution watch) river flows west towards Charlotte beach (beach closes)

Local Storm water rainfall: 0.70’’– 1.5” (beach closes for 24 hours) >1.5” (beach closes for 48 hours)

Algae or other organic debris is > 1500 cfSecchi disk depth </= 0.6mBacteria (e-coli) results from prior day >

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Research QuestionsDo the ponds and streams flowing into Lake

Ontario west of Charlotte Beach contribute to the high levels of bacteria found along the beach?Are there any trends in bacteria levels along

the Lake Ontario Shoreline from West to East? For each pond and stream, are there

differences in bacteria levels at sites along the shore as compared to those that are more inland?

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10 9 8

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31 30 2728

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ProtocolAll sampling containers pre-labelled.Collect water samples using whirl pack bags,

seal and keep on ice until plating.Collect remaining data at same location:

Probes: pH, DO, conductivity, UvB, temperature.Anenometer: wind speed and direction.Secchi Disk: turbidity.

Plating: place 1.0mL of water from whirlpack bag into Coliscan solution then pour into pre-treated petri dishes

Bucket Method used for water sampling at sites 1 – 7

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The day was long, we encountered trials and friends.

If you are going to do this, here is what we recommend:

Always carry your ID and never go alone;

You may meet homeowners that are grumpy and groan!

Issues During Data CollectionDifficulties with bucket method.Dredging of Genesee River.Extremely sunny day.Unable to walk “knee-deep” at several sites.Loss of buffer solution for storing pH probe.Inaccessibility at key sites.Challenges with homeowners.Not able to complete all sampling sites. Inconsistency with plating times.No replicates.

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Data Analysis MethodologiesDivided analysis into 7 sampling sections:

Genesee River and Pier (sites 1-7)Charlotte Beach (sites 8-10)Slater Creek (sites 11-14)Round Pond (sites 16-17)Buck Pond (sites 19-21)Long Pond (sites 23-25)Lake Ontario Shoreline (sites 8-12, 16, 19-20, 23)

Sites 15, 18, 22, and 26-31 not sampled.Statistical analysis:

Calculate mean and standard deviation .Determine presence of significant differences.Results plotted on logarithmic scales.

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Overall Results / ObservationsOnly sites 8, 13, 14, 23, 24 and 25 showed

significant levels of coliform bacteria. Other factors that may have contributed to

high bacteria counts include:Site 8: Large amounts of algaeSite 13: Large population of ducks & fecesSite 14: High turbidity and presence of algaeSite 23: Garbage and very little sunlightSite 24: Red algae at shorelineSite 25: Dense population of fisherman,

garbage6/25/2009 EDU 487 Science Symposium, Hy-Five 15

ImplicationsResults did not support original prediction of

higher bacteria counts moving from west to east along Lake Ontario shoreline.

No significant trends were noted from the stream and ponds that were sampled.

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Future DirectionsIncrease the number of replicates (n=3) per site

to include water samples and plating. Consistency between water sampling and plating.Using boat in place of “bucket method”.Carry back-up solutions of buffers for probes.Determine site accessibility prior to sampling day.Develop consistent method for sampling at sites

where water levels are different depths.Sample on multiple days.

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I hope you all enjoyed our fine presentation,

And that we could contribute to your science education.

 

You are a great cohort, from which we’ve learned a lot.

We love each and every one of you with all we’ve got.

Now Michael pay attention when you are making your picks,

The Hy-Fivers want to stay together in 486!