Concentration of Phosphorus in the Everglades

by Brianna Godwin

Submitted : Fall 2014

Phosphorus is a nutrient that can become a pollutant if being released in excess. In once an area that was very low in phosphorus, the Everglades has been being contaminated by it, causing problems such as excessive growth of cattails, organisms, and impaired water quality (Friends of the Everglades). One of the way this nutrient is entering the Everglades is through the water flowing in from Lake Okeechobee.

            To solve for an acceptable amount of phosphorus in the everglades we used derivatives and water flow from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades. We also used least squares best line to create two functions to find the depth of Lake Okeechobee at different months. Overall, it was concluded that the phosphorus concentration has to be reduced to achieve an acceptable amount.

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