Minet Country Park
Pond Surveys are being carried out to monitor progress as the site matures.
Pond dipping indicates that all the water on the site is polluted by dust from the landscaping. Oxygen-loving species were absent. See
pond dipping for these species.The dust from the landscaping appeared to have smothered the pond life, & even algae was restricted to Spirogyra (blanket weed.)
I undertook to carry out frequent sampling of various ponds on the site to monitor progress.
Main Pond
Location 1
Sampling is as close to the Typha reed mace as possible.
Main Pond
Location 2
Sampling is just above the weir/bridge in a patch of typha
Water samples are transferred from the net to a white dish for examination.
Above dam
Location 3
Sleepers have been introduces to retain the outflow from the main pond. Sampling is just above the dam.
Width is 1 - 2 m.
Hedge pond
location 4
April 17
The pond in the hedge (2-4 m).
Northern pond
Location 5
May 6
The northern pond (4 - 8 m across)
Water in several areas of the Minet Country Park is being sampled to assess the health of the water & monitor progress as the site matures.
These measurements will include: pH; dissolved oxygen; dissolved iron; nitrate; nitrite, as well as dipping to monitor living creatures.
Water quality is rated [4] (clean) [3] slight pollution [2] bad pollution [1] (severe pollution) [0] contaminated.
Not all locations are sampled on all visits. Not all chemical tests are being carried out on all samples.
