| Land use changes as sources of anthropogenic stress can cause changes in urban lake water quality. In order to examine and delineate effects of land use changes, the following 3 research questions were asked: as a result of anthropogenic stress (1) what is the current water quality of Halifax/Dartmouth Lakes, (2) have there been changes in urban lake water quality over time, and (3) if there have been changes in urban lake water quality over time, can these changes be related to changes in land use?;The underlying theoretical basis of the study was the idea of urban lake water quality under anthropogenic stress. Six anthropogenic stressors and indicators for each were chosen to assess water quality of urban lakes.;Thirty-four urban lakes in the Metro region were chosen for extensive study. These extensively studied lakes were sampled 4 times from November, 1991 to November, 1992. Two of the extensive lakes, Bell and Settle, were chosen for intensive study. Each of the intensive lakes was sampled 30 times from May 13-Nov 29, 1992. Bell Lake had undergone sustainable development, while Settle Lake had been unsustainably developed. Examination of the indicators of anthropogenic stress demonstrated (1) Settle Lake water quality was being stressed by physical disturbance, eutrophication, bacterial contamination, road salt contamination, and oxygen deficit, while Bell Lake water quality was stressed by physical distrubance, (2) the delineated indicators of anthropogenic stress were efficacious and accurate in assessing urban lake water quality under stress. Stress assessments were then completed on the remaining 32 urban lakes. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
