| This study examined fecal coliform (FC) temporal, spatial presence, and survivability in University Lake, as well as the quantified lake sink capacity for FC. The temporal and spatial distribution of FC in University Lake water and sediment was determined by field investigations at the inlets, outlet, and water column of the lake.;The University Lake acts as a sink for FC. It was demonstrated that source input and lake mixing, as well as FC affinity to fine organic sediments, are the determining factors in FC spatial and temporal distributions. The re-suspension model does not describe the dynamics of FC in University Lake because FC is not flow-predicted, but seasonally predicted. In fact during ice-free conditions, FC load from the lake inlet to outlet decreased by 35%, whereas under ice-cover conditions, 83% of the FC load was removed. This study also found indication of extended survival and encourages further study in this area. |
