| Tourists and college students contribute to population growth and development in Savannah, Georgia. Nitrogen and phosphorus are added to the Savannah River; this could induce algal blooms and hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to correlate nutrients from wastewater treatment plant effluent with population dynamics in Savannah. Water samples were collected from 9 stations near the discharging site before and after holidays and college semester change. River samples were analyzed for phosphate, ammonia, and nitrate concentrations via spectrophotometry. Independence Day weekend was the only holiday that had higher mean influent and effluent flow. The major finding of this study was phosphate, ammonia, and nitrate increased after Independence Day weekend during ebb tide by 64%, 74%, and 515%, respectively. Short-term population increases affect the effluent, but strong dilution nullifies the impact. Nutrient loading has occurred, but non-point source pollution and seasonal variability impact the effluent more than population growth. |
