Changes in Salinity, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, and Temperature of Water in Ponds Around Governors State University

The influence of human activity on water quality and the monitoring of local water health is necessary to detect potential pollutants and safeguard aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of water samples from two ponds at Governors State University (GSU) were analyzed in order to assess spatial differences in water quality. Measurements including temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity were collected from samples taken on September 20th and 27th, 2024, from the GSU campus pond and the biology field station pond. The data was compared to identify variations between the two water sources and to determine potential causes for these differences. Results indicated that the campus pond exhibited higher levels of TDS, salinity, and conductivity, likely due to increased human activity in the area, while pH and temperature values were relatively similar between both ponds. The findings suggest that further research, including the analysis of more water sources and consideration of biotic and ecological factors, would be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of water quality dynamics.