Collecting Water Nutrient Data

A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources scientist collects water quality data to better understand nutrients' role in the overabundance of duckweed and algae. 

Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in water could lead to an overgrowth of free-floating plants such as duckweed and filamentous algae. These overgrowths can result in dense layers of scum on the surface of the waters, and can damage below-surface plants, fish and other lake organisms by depriving them of the oxygen and sunlight they need to survive.