Water Quality Across UCF, Differences Between Constructed, Natural, and Hydrologically Impacted Wetlands

Authors

• Lyndon R. Medel, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Hannah Hettenbach, University of Central Florida

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

PCB

Course Number

4301

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Lisa Chambers

Faculty/Instructor Email

lisa.chambers@ucf.edu

About the Author

Lyndon Medel is a second year biology and economics dual degree student at UCF. He is a member of the Aquatic Biogeochemistry lab on campus and plans on earning a PhD in the future. He would like to thank Dr. Lisa Chambers, Mercedes Pinzon Delgado, and the Aquatic Biogeochemistry lab for helping and guiding this research project.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

Wetlands are important as they provide a variety of ecosystem services, including flood protection, habitat, carbon storage, and water quality improvement. Stormwater ponds may perform different functions and have different features than natural wetlands. This study aimed to determine if there are significant differences in dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and temperature between natural wetlands and stormwater ponds. Three natural wetlands and three stormwater ponds were tested across the UCF campus. A YSI and dissolved oxygen probe were used to test three points in each site on March 26 between 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Each parameter, as well as air temperature and the last rainfall event were noted. The mean was calculated for each dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and temperature for natural wetlands and stormwater ponds. The mean for each parameter was higher in the stormwater pond group than in the natural wetland group. ANOVA tests showed no significant differences in pH, conductivity, or temperature between the natural wetland group and stormwater pond group. There was a significant difference in dissolved oxygen between the two groups (p=0.009). This difference in dissolved oxygen levels suggests that manmade systems do differ in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. The data suggest that these differences are likely due to differences in organic matter, vegetation, and water level. Overall, differences in dissolved oxygen levels could impact the survival of wildlife in each system

Keywords

Wetlands;Natural;Stormwater Pond;Dissolved Oxygen;pH;Conductivity;Temperature;Campus;Water Quality

Recommended Citation

Medel, Lyndon R. and Hettenbach, Hannah, "Water Quality Across UCF, Differences Between Constructed, Natural, and Hydrologically Impacted Wetlands" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 43.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/43