Temp- 84
Weather- clear skies with few clouds
We visited Wall Springs park to observe and learn more about Karst Topography and the local spring in Palm Harbor! Before we went to go look at the spring Dr. G gave us some information about the park. She told us that it used to be a Health Spa and a recreation center before the county took over and made it a park.
We then made our way over to the spring ^^
You could see the water flow coming from the bottom of the ground and flowing out into the pond. We tested the spring water for it's salinity and pH.
Salinity- 2-3 ppt
pH- 7
As we kept walking on the board walk we got a better glimpse of the pond that the spring water flowed into. It was completely covered in duckweed. I mean the stuff was everywhere!!
The water from the pond flows underground into a bayou of salt water. We were able to see the water flow out among the mangroves and emergent trees.
When we tested this water for it's salinity and pH, they were completely different! It is amazing how such a short distance can mean completely different water.
Salinity- 16-17 ppt
pH- 6
Some of the species that I noticed were a giant leather fern, mangroves (black, white, and red), cat tails, mullet, pin fish, and even horseshoe crabs swimming around.
There were also many invasive species that I was able to take note of. These include but aren't limited to the air potato, rosary pea, camphor tree, china berry, japanese climbing fern, carrotwood, chinese tallow tree, and the brazilian pepper.
No comments:
Post a Comment