Variations in Dissolved Oxygen Across Vegetation Zones in a Freshwater Marsh

Authors

• Stephanie N. Lievano, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Aliah Wales Miller, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Marissa Pratt, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Anya Spara, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

PCB

Course Number

4970

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Lisa Chambers

Faculty/Instructor Email

Lisa.Chambers@ucf.edu

About the Author

PhD Student Advisor: Naija Cheek

Graduate Teaching Assistant: Mercedes Pinzon

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are critical indicators of aquatic ecosystem health, yet these levels fluctuate significantly based on the structural and physiological characteristics of dominant vegetation. This study investigated the extent to which DO levels differ among wetland zones dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), emergent plants, or floating plant cover. It was hypothesized that SAV-dominated areas would exhibit higher DO concentrations than emergent zones due to the direct release of photosynthetic oxygen into the water column. Data were collected across three diel blocks—morning, afternoon, and evening—in a UCF freshwater marsh using a YSI multiparameter sonde to measure DO, temperature, pH, chlorophyll-a, and phycocyanin across the three vegetation zones. Preliminary findings indicated a distinct DO diel pattern across all habitats, with DO minima consistently recorded during morning sampling. Emergent zones exhibited the most severe hypoxia and the highest pigment concentrations, with chlorophyll-a reaching 142.05 𝜇𝑔/𝐿 and phycocyanin 25.0 𝜇𝑔/𝐿 .These elevated levels correlated with pronounced morning oxygen deficits in emergent and floating habitats. Conversely, SAV zones supported higher sustained DO levels, frequently exceeding 6.0 mg/L in the afternoon, likely aided by lower algal concentrations and direct aeration. These results suggest that vegetation type and algal composition interact to influence water column oxygenation, which is essential for effective water quality monitoring and management of freshwater marsh habitats.

Keywords

wetland, wetland ecology, wetland biogeochemistry, hydrophyte, dissolved oxygen, DO, chlorophyll-a, algal biomass

Recommended Citation

Lievano, Stephanie N.; Wales Miller, Aliah; Pratt, Marissa; and Spara, Anya, "Variations in Dissolved Oxygen Across Vegetation Zones in a Freshwater Marsh" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 80.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/80