This week we have been getting outside collecting water samples and running some tests looking for specific elements in the waters of the Chadakoin River. The resulting data will give us more insight into the water quality of the river and the tolerances the Spiny Softshell Turtles appear to have to the existing conditions. We tested temperature and dissolved oxygen levels with our SUNY Jamestown Community College interns and Jan Bowman, JCC professor of biology, and will be testing for levels of phosphorous and nitrogen as well. Spiny Softshell Turtles are rather sensitive to pollutants, so their presence in the Chadakoin is an indicator that, while the river may not appear to be perfectly pristine, it is suitable to support turtles and many other special species. As we finish up our tests we will post more information on our findings, so stay tuned!
From left to right, Alivia is taking a reading of the dissolved oxygen content and temperature, while Susan is collecting a sample to be tested for nitrogen and phosphorous levels.
