PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF URBAN AND RURAL FRESHWATER BODIES, NEW YORK CITY AND UP-STATE NEW YORK

Urbanization has taken a toll on local ponds and lakes. In this study, the physico-chemical parameters in water samples from two environmental settings (urban and rural) in New York were analyzed to ascertain the influences of urbanization on constraining water quality. Obtained data were compared between freshwater lakes/ponds located in Queens (Oakland Lake, Meadow Lake, Baisley Pond, & Bowne Pond) and 5^th Lake in Rosendale, Ulster County, up-state New York. An YSI (Yellow Spring Instruments, Inc) was used to measure the real-time water quality data. The results showed some variations as follows: pH 7.52–10.1, electrical conductivity 101–4780 µS/cm, temperature 19.62–2.12^oC, dissolved oxygen 8.18–22.5mg/L, total dissolved solute 0.060–2.529g/L and oxidation reduction potential -61.2–127 mV. Chemical parameters of water were investigated using CHEMetrics Vacu-vial kits, HACH Digital Titrator, and spectrophotometer. Based on these techniques, the level of chemical oxygen demand was determined to be 14.25–147.27 mg/L and the concentrations of some nutrients such as nitrate (0–1.1285mg/L), ammonia (0.068–0.346mg/L), phosphate (0.021–0.562mg/L), and total phosphate (0.0673-0.795mg/L) were evaluated as well. The Metrohm Tiamo Titration instrument (model 888) was used to determine the alkalinity in terms of CaCO₃ (9.05-163.025 mg/L). Surprisingly, most of the analyzed parameters did not exceed the permissible limit from the EPA guidelines established for summer by a very large margin except for Bowne Pond (Queens) and 5^th Lake (Rosendale) whose phosphate concentration were 0.562 and 0.4 mg/L, respectively. Local geologic setting and bedrock composition seemed to control the abundance of anionic complex in 5^th Lake. For further study, attempts will be made to use the Lachat 8500 series II Flow Injection Analyzer (FIA) coupled with Ion Chromatographic (IC) module to better monitor and re-evaluate the water quality data.