Land use change has a significant impact on the biogeochemistry of aquatic systems and is expected to grow about 185% from 2000 to 2030, which will enhance the magnitude and variety of environmental and human health issues. Storm water retention ponds are constructed to mitigate flooding in urban areas as a result of the existence of impervious surfaces. Steinmetz Lake (42° 49’ 44’ N 73° 54’ 54’ W) can be considered a highly eutrophic urban retention pond and is located in a park with high recreational use surrounded by a suburban neighborhood in Schenectady, New York. Anthropogenic activities have been the source of a few issues with the pond. A considerable amount of litter was dispersed throughout the pond due to the park’s high recreational use. Phragmites, an invasive species, is expected to fill the pond potentially within the next three to four years. Steinmetz Lake had a high specific conductivity and high concentrations of Cl- and Na+ relative to other urban ponds in similar climates, indicating relatively high amounts of road salt enter the pond due to the city of Schenectady and nearby homeowners applying it for protective measures. The Cl- concentration of 223.3 ppm nearly reached the EPA limit of 230 ppm before aquatic species begin to face chronic issues, which might occur in the spring when runoff rates are highest.
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