1. Assessing Water Quality in the Harlem and
Hudson Rivers
Roylan Fernandez, Tyeshawn Thigpen, Veronica Paredes
City College of New York - 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031
Bronx Community College - 2155 University Ave, Bronx, NY 10453
Introduction
6.5
8.5
6.00
6.20
6.40
6.60
6.80
7.00
7.20
7.40
7.60
7.80
8.00
8.20
8.40
8.60
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
pH
Harlem and Hudson River pH
1.3 mg/L
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
Concentration(mg/L)
Harlem and Hudson River [Cu+]
0.3 mg/L
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
Concentration(mg/L)
Harlem and Hudson Rivers [Fe2+]
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
Concentration(mg/L)
Harlem and Hudson River Average [NO-
3]
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
Concentration(mg/L)
Harlem and Hudson Average [NH3]
250 mg/L
0.00
200.00
400.00
600.00
800.00
1000.00
1200.00
Davis Brook Mathiessen Park Roberto Clemente Park Inwood Hill Park Randalls Island
Concentration(mg/L)
Harlem and Hudson Average [SO-2
4]
Goals
Methods
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
New York. Department of Environmental Conservation. - Part 703: Surface
Water and Groundwater Quality Standards and Groundwater Effluent
Limitations. N.p., 17 Jan. 2008. Web.
<http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4590.html>.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Bacterial Water Quality
Standards for Recreational Waters. June 2003. Web.
<http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/upload/2003_06_19_beaches
_local_statrept.pdf>.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. National Recommended
Water Quality Criteria. N.p., July 2013. Web.
<http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/current/ind
ex.cfm>.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Nationwide Bacteria
Standards Protect Swimmers at Beaches. N.p., Nov. 2004. Web.
<http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/beachrules/bacteria-rule-
final-fs.cfm>.
• Special thanks to our mentor and teacher, Mr. Vadim Acosta for his
guidance.
• Thanks to LSAMP, The City University of New York, and Bronx
Community College for the opportunity to participate in this rewarding
program.
• Thanks to Dr. Neal Phillip, Dr. Claude Brathwaite, Dr. Jingyu Wang, and
the lab technicians of Bronx Community College for all their
contributions and help in completing this program.
Results
• To determine whether CSOs had an impact on water quality in New York
City.
• To see how the water quality of New York changes as it flows south
through New York City
• To asses water quality by measuring the levels of the following nutrients
and bacteria in the Harlem and Hudson Rivers
• Copper (Cu+)
• Iron (Fe2+)
• Nitrate (NO-
3)
• Sulfate (SO-2
4)
• Ammonia (NH3)
• Phosphate (PO-3
4)
• E. Coli
• Fecal Coliform
• Enterococcus
• Field Methods:
• Water samples were collected in sterile 50 mL plastic centrifuge
tubes.
• Tubes were rinsed 3 times in sampling water.
• The samples collected were stored in a cooler with ice to preserve
any microorganisms and nutrients from deterioration.
• Latitude and Longitude were recording using a Garmin Etrex GPS unit
• pH and electrical conductivity:
• Electrical conductivity was measured using an Oakton Eco Testr, and
recorded in millisiemens.
• pH was measured using a Fisher Scientific Accument Portable AP 125
and a 7.00 pH buffer
• Measuring Nutrient and Metal Concentrations:
• Copper, Iron, Nitrate, Sulfate, Ammonia, and Phosphate were
measured using HACH DR4000 U and Fischer Scientific Spectro
Master spectrophotometers, using reagents supplied by the HACH
company
• HACH procedures were used for all measurements
• Bacteria:
• E-Coli, Fecal Coliform, and Enterococcus were counted in selective
agar plates
• Water was filtered using Millipore 45 micrometer filters and filtered
were placed in agar plates
• Plates were stored in incubator for 48 hours at 37 ° C
E. Coli Results Fecal Coliform Results Enterococcus Results
Red dots signify over EPA standard
Blue dots signify below EPA
standard
White dots signify no data collected
(insufficient materials)
E. Coli EPA Standard : 126 counts
per 100 ml (EPA, 1986)
Fecal Coliform EPA Standard : 200
counts per 100 ml (EPA, 1986)
Enterococcus EPA Standard: 33
counts per 100 ml (EPA, 1986)