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phosphoruswhat is it?what does it tell us?how is it measured?find data for your lake!  

How is it measured?

Phosphorus samples are collected in the field by first taking an epilimnetic core sample. This is the same sample that is taken for chlorophyll, color and phytoplankton. This process is described in detail with pictures on the Chlorophyll-How is it measured? page.
phosphorus bottle
The epilimnetic core sample is then poured into a brown glass sample bottle to protect it from damage by sunlight, and is placed in a cooler until it reaches the lab where it is analyzed.
 
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Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research
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