Nitrate and phosphate concentrations in three mesotrophic lakes with different boat propulsion restrictions

Abstract

Over a twelve-month span, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrate, and phosphate concentrations were measured at three mesotrophic lakes in northeastern Pennsylvania—Lake Winola in Wyoming County and Lake Spangenberg and Moosic Lakes in Lackawanna County. The majority of watercraft at Lake Winola use two- and four-cycle engines, while Lake Spangenberg residents use boats with only electric trolling motors, and Moosic Lakes residents are restricted to rowboats. The focus of our study was to determine if recreational boating activity had an impact on lake water nutrients and water quality. A comparison of monthly water samples from each lake revealed no significant difference between the concentrations of nitrates and phosphates, and therefore our findings suggest that there was no impact of VOCs from recreational boating on each of these three coldwater lakes. © 2010, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.