This pond is found at the eastern end of the trail along High and Beech St. It is a small pond reaching a maximum depth of approximately 1.5 meters. Water flows into this pond from the west and drains into the Connecticut River. Living in the pond are small fish, many Bullfrogs and Green frogs, ducks and lots of phytoplankton.
What is Phytoplankton?
Phytoplankton are free flooding microscopic plants that live in
water. Like land plants, they need sun, water and nutrients to grow.
Because, phytoplankton need sunlight to grow, most stay near the
surface of the water. They range from single to complex multi-celled
organisms. Phytoplankton is often called algae. There are hundreds of
different kinds of algae. Some of the most common algae are
cynobacteria (blue-green algae), green algae, diatoms, and
dinoglagellates. Throughout the summer months the concentration of
algae changes with the temperature and nutrient levels of the lake.
Sometimes, if too many nutrients enter a lake, the blue-green algae
will begin to take over. When this happens, the lake will undergo
eutrophication.
What is Eutrophication?
Eutrophication occurs when there is a dramatic increase in nutrients,
primarily phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon. The excessive growth or
"blooms" of blue-green algae will grow on the surface of the water
and block sunlight to the bottom. Thick mats of the algae will form.
This leads to oxygen depletion and can often kill much of the aquatic
organisms (fish) in the lake.
What can lead to Eutrophication?
Eutrophication is caused by the addition of
excess nutrients often from run-off of agricultural fields, lawns, or
sewage.
CHECK THIS OUT! Three Wesleyan University Senior Biology Majors conducted a study to assess the relative health of the Marion Banks Eastern Pond, in comparison to two similarly sized ponds found upstream, to determine if the use of fertilizer on the Wesleyan campus has an effect on the possible eutrophication of the pond.