Biotic and abiotic factors of borrow pits in Lyon County, Kansas.

Abstract

Old and new borrow pits in Lyon County, Kansas were compared to determine if age class has an effect on water chemistry. There were six borrow pits in the study. The new borrow pits « 7 years old) were located along Highway 50, and the old borrow pits (> 30 years old) were located along Interstate 35. Samples were collected bi-monthly from June through October in 1998. Tests included temperature, pH, orthophosphate, nitrate, ammonium, and chlorophyll a, and a brief invertebrate survey was conducted. Comparisons among borrow pits were made using analysis of variance, and the results indicated that there were statistical differences (P < 0.05) between the two age classes of borrow pits in nitrate, ammonium, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll a. Variations in precipitation and land use practices influenced the nutrient load within both classes of borrow pits. Older bodies of water generally are more stable, with less borrow pits had a higher diversity of invertebrates at In addition, the old fluctuation in water chemistry. In addition, the old borrow pits had a higher diversity of invertebrates at the family level than new borrow pits.