Research finds low oxygen resources in Central New York's Three Rivers system
Friday, April 30, 2010 - 03:40
in Earth & Climate
A unique three-year longitudinal and vertical study of Central New York's Three Rivers system - involving the Oswego, Oneida and Seneca rivers - has revealed that oxygen resources have become degraded by several stressors, including the impact of wastewater treatment plants, nonpoint runoff, an increase in invasive zebra mussels and channelization of the flow. As oxygen is necessary to support life in aquatic ecosystems, its measurement is essential for gauging the overall state of water bodies; in one of the study's surveys, more than one-third of the 90-kilometre length of the river system failed to meet the New York water quality standard...