For my practical project at Uni, I am researching blue-green algae in a freshwater lake. I have three locations around the lake and am testing the water for phosphates, pH, and temperature. I am also recording the air temperature. I started in April, and no blue-green algae are present.
My question is, which statistic test would be the best for my data?
Thank you.
Ela
You can start with correlation and ANOVA. You can go for pair wise comparison of the locations (Tukey's pairwise comparison, one way ANOVA) to test the difference existed in your locations. You can test Principal Component Analysis if you have a large number of Algae in your samples. As your variables are few, it wouldn't be wise to go for multiple regression analysis.
Hello Ela,
I am not sure about the statistical tests, but the answer given above sounds sensible. I do have some thoughts on why no blue-green algae were found yet. Most systems are dominated in the spring by green algae, diatoms, and flagellates. Blue-green algae typically tend to proliferate as temperature increases and phosphorus concentrations decrease because they can compete better for nutrients when phosphorus is limiting. We usually see blue-green algae in mid-July through September when looking at seasonal dynamics in lakes, unless the lake is very eutrophic (then there are some type of blue-green algae year round). The lakes where we study blue-green algae blooms (HABs), we find that the peak biomass occurs in August. Other things that may contribute to what you might be seeing early in the season have to do with storms, wind and wave action, and if there are secondary sources nutrients entering your system via land use. Let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Dear Cathleen Doyle,
Thank you for a great answer. The lake I am studying is a freshwater lake classified as a high-alkalinity deep lake. Between April and August, I collected 15 samples at three different locations around the lake. Location A is near the road and car park, location B is parkland/woodland, and location C is farmland. The mean air temperature over the sampling period was 17.77°C, with the highest being 26°C and the lowest 8°C. Means for location A: water pH 10.67, water temp: 17.07°C and phosphates 2.50ppm; location B: water pH: 10.57, water temp: 17.15°C, phosphates 2.25ppm; location C: water pH: 10.82, water temp: 15.19°C and phosphates 2.55ppm.
I think it is a fascinating study. Although no blue-green algae appeared this year, I have noticed many water lilies. Maybe it is connected?
I must add that the blooms don't occur every year but every 2-3 years.
Best wishes
Ela
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