Abstract

For Utah Lake in Utah, USA, we analyzed a uniquely comprehensive and longitudinal water quality dataset that extended over two summer sampling seasons. We measured 61 parameters using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), YSI ProDSS water sondes, and laboratory procedures to quantify and characterize dissolved and suspended behavior of trace elements in Utah Lake. We analyzed the data using principal component analysis (PCA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) to understand the lake geochemistry and inform Utah Lake management decisions regarding nutrients and algal blooms. We found that 1) sediments rich in phosphorus (P) act as a source for bioavailable phosphorus; 2) phytoplankton (as estimated by chlorophyll-a) and cyanobacteria (as estimated by phycocyanin) may not directly respond to bioavailable phosphorus; and 3) potential limiting and colimiting micronutrients such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) impact algal growth in Utah Lake. With Cu-based algicides being used as recently as 2021 potential Cu impairment for Utah Lake should be considered in management strategies on the lake. Our MDS analysis indicated that Utah Lake has three distinct geochemical seasons within our sampling periods (May through October): spring (May and June), summer (August), and fall (September). Additionally, our data suggests that Utah Lake aluminum (Al) concentrations using complete digestion are higher than state allowable concentrations, however complete digestion includes Al in suspended clay minerals that are not bioavailable.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2024-04-09

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13551

Keywords

Utah Lake; Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry; Principal Component Analysis; Multiple Dimensional Scaling; Water Quality; Harmful Algal Bloom; Phycocyanin; Cyanobacteria; Micronutrient; Lake Management; Trace Element Limitation

Language

english

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