Thesis

Ecological information on the annual cycle of distribution and abundance in the cladoceran and copepod species in a south central Minnesota dolomite quarry was collected during 1972-1973. Collections were made biweekly except for the period of winter ice cover when they were taken at approximately monthly intervals. Biological collections were supplemented with physicochemical determinations of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Three sampling stations were selected to physically compartmentalize the quarry waters on the basis of vertical and horizontal differences in habitat types.

This study involved the analysis of the relationships of morphometric parameters and sediment chemistry. The morphometric parameters included area, mean depth, maximum depth, volume, volume development index, shoreline and shoreline development index. The sediment chemistry analysis involved phosphorus, total nitrogen, percent inorganic, percent organic, percent calcium carbonate, and percent ash. The sediment chemistry was based on short cores from the deepest basin of each lake.

Physical and chemical factors were measured in the Marquette Quarry strip-mine pond to determine the degree of homogeneity or heterogeneity. Water temperature, air temperature, light intensity, light penetration, turbidity, ice thickness, snow depth, water level, precipitation, pH, carbon dioxide, dissolved oxygen, bicarbonate alkalinity, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness, residual hardness, dissolved solids and conductivity were measured at one meter intervals in one, two and three meter water columns every two weeks throughout 1973.

The development of artificial drainage ditches has become extensive in South Central Minnesota in the last 120 years. This study examines the effects of artificial drainage on surface water hydrology using quantitative geomorphic analysis. Eighteen quantitative geomorphic parameters and seven descriptors for 269 artificial drainage ditches were determined.