Sampling Proceedures
This project was done in partnership with EPCOR, who provided me with the supplies and instructions for water sampling.
We took water samples for each of the 39 stormwater ponds that had been previously sampled for aquatic invertebrates.
We were provided with 6 analysis bottles to fill with water. Each bottle would be analyzed for separate particular water chemistry elements. We collected water from a large Nalgene bottle that was attached to the end of a long pole. We then submerged the Nalgene in water at a location where there was no vegetation on the surface (ie. duckweed or algae) and the water was deep enough so as not to disturb the bottom sediment with the bottle. Water from the Nalgene bottle was poured into the separate 6 analysis bottles.
These bottles were labeled and refrigerated in a cooler until they were brought to the analysis lab the same day that they were collected.
We took water samples for each of the 39 stormwater ponds that had been previously sampled for aquatic invertebrates.
We were provided with 6 analysis bottles to fill with water. Each bottle would be analyzed for separate particular water chemistry elements. We collected water from a large Nalgene bottle that was attached to the end of a long pole. We then submerged the Nalgene in water at a location where there was no vegetation on the surface (ie. duckweed or algae) and the water was deep enough so as not to disturb the bottom sediment with the bottle. Water from the Nalgene bottle was poured into the separate 6 analysis bottles.
These bottles were labeled and refrigerated in a cooler until they were brought to the analysis lab the same day that they were collected.
SWMP Types
Different types of SWMPs are built with differing priorities. While there are many types of SWMP, only the following were chosen for this study.
Wet Ponds: Built with the purpose of serving the goals of storm water ponds as they relate directly to humans and urban planning and not built specifically as wildlife habitat. These ponds have a steeply sloped bottom. These usually focus on the goals of runoff control, flood mitigation, and sediment retention.
Constructed Wetlands: Built with the intention of creating habitat for vegetation and wildlife as well as meeting the water management objectives. These ponds are built with a gradually sloped bottom to promote amphibian and invertebrate activity and are usually surrounded by a naturalized vegetated landscape. Stormwater Influenced Natural Wetlands: These are natural wetlands that were integrated into the stormwater management system. They usually have urban runoff directed into them with some kind of pollution mitigation mechanism like sediment retention ponds surrounding them. Natural Wetlands: These are wetlands which occur naturally and have unintentionally become part of the urban storm water system. |
Site Selection
39 of Edmonton's storm water management ponds were selected based on their pond type, accessibility, and relevance to my aquatic invertebrates study. I sampled 15 Constructed Wetlands (WTCs), 17 Wet Ponds (WTLs), 2 Stormwater Influenced Natural Wetlands (WTN), and 4 Natural Wetlands (WTDs). I sampled the maximum number of Wet Ponds and Natural Wetlands accessible for this study and sampled 12% of the Constructed Wetlands and 14.4% of the Wet Ponds in Edmonton. The sample sites were spread around the entire city in both residential and industrial areas in order to best represent all stormwater ponds in the city.
I collected the water samples and delivered them to a professional water testing lab for analysis. The data included in this study are direct data from this lab.
All data for this project regarding pond age, pond type, and pond name were provided by EPCOR.
Pond Age
Based on the map below, which shows the location of all of Edmonton's storm water ponds you may notice a pattern in their construction. Mainly, that these ponds were not integrated into urban planning until somewhat recently in the city's history. Thus, much of central Edmonton is completely free of the ponds. The first pond, Beaumaris Lake, was built in 1977 on the North Side of Edmonton. Many more are being currently built within new neighborhoods. Most constructed wetlands were built starting the 1990s and are generally the modern method of pond construction given that they are more visually attractive and are thought of as higher quality wildlife habitat than Wet Ponds.
While constructed wetlands may be better habitat for vertebrates, I am interested in investigating whether water chemistry associated with different ages and pond types corresponds with water chemistry data that supports a greater biodiversity of invertebrates.
Please Note: In my analysis of Pond Age and the corresponding water parameters, I will only be looking at Constructed Wetlands and Wet Ponds because they are the only ponds that have reliable estimates on age. The other two wetland types do not have accurate age estimates. I will have to acquire this data later in the project.
Please Note: In my analysis of Pond Age and the corresponding water parameters, I will only be looking at Constructed Wetlands and Wet Ponds because they are the only ponds that have reliable estimates on age. The other two wetland types do not have accurate age estimates. I will have to acquire this data later in the project.