PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN WATER BODIES IN NEW YORK CITY

New York City has essentially grown into one of the most populated urban areas in the world. This rapid increase in urbanization has taken a toll on local ponds and lakes. In this study, the physic-chemical properties including selected physical and chemical parameters in water samples from two lakes and two ponds located in Queens County, New York City, New York, USA were analyzed to ascertain the influences of urbanization on the surface water quality. Water samples from Oakland Lake (N 40°45'31", W -73°45'33"), Corona Meadow Lake (N 40^o44′19″, W 73^o50′46″), Baisley Pond (N 40^o40′58″, W 73^o47′10”), & Bowne Pond(N 40°46'14", W 73°48'25") were collected weekly basis and analyzed for four weeks in summer 2014 and compared with samples collected on summer of 2013. An YSI and In Situ Rugged Troll Data Logger were used to measure the real-time water quality data. The results showed some variations as with pH of 7.45 to 8.86, conductivity 0.79 to 10.81 μS/cm; temperature 25 to 30 ˚C; dissolved oxygen 10.28 to 15.91 mg/L; total dissolved solids 0.071 to 6.24 g/L; oxidation reduction potential 162 to 199 mV and salinity of 0.05 to 5.37 g/L. The chemical analyses were employed for the characterization of the inputs and outputs generated by the physical, chemical and biological processes developed within the water bodies. Ion chromatography (DIONEX IC-2100 system) were used for the determination of common anions including F^-, Cl^-, Br^-, NO₂^-, NO₃^-, PO₄^- and SO₄^- and major cations including Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+. Another important chemical parameters including COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), total phosphorus, ammonium, silica and alkalinity in terms of CaCO3 were determined by using CHEMetrics Vacu-vial method coupled with spectrophotometer V-2000, HACH Digital Titrator and the Metrohm Tiamo Titration instrument (Model 888). The results indicated wide variation in basic water quality parameters in lakes and ponds including COD (14.25 to147.27 mg/L), total phosphate (0.0673-0.795mg/L) and alkalinity (9.05-163.025 mg/L). The variation is somewhat linked with the urban development on the landscapes and anthropogenic activities in the lake. This study aims to better understand the influence of urbanization and seasonal operations in the city to measure the extreme climate on the local water bodies including fresh and brackish water.