Personal Dam Management

Improved Essays
Course Project Rationale – Personal Dam

Dams are an integral part of society since as early as 3,000BC as it allowed for control over water resources. (McCully, 2001) However, by interfering with a flowing body of water, the water collects and becomes stagnant, altering physical, chemical and biological properties of the area surround the dam. This in turn changes the population dynamics of microbial communities resulting in a rise of harmful bacteria in the area. (S. Gorbtkin, 2008) By studying the vast range of organisms present in dam water, we will be able to understand how they are able to thrive in such conditions as well as how these organisms may cause implications for the human body if consumed.

For our project, we will be obtaining
…show more content…
Patrick McCully, 2001. Dams: What they are and what do they do. Silenced Rivers: The Ecology and Politics of Large Dams, chapter 1.
Accessed 13th March 2017.
2. Chad S. Gorbtkin, 2006. Research: The Distribution of Bacterial Contaminants in Dammed Aquatic Systems. Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, Spring 2006.
Accessed 13th March 2017.
3. NSPI, 2011. NPSI1211 – Farm Dam Management Case Study. NPSI Case Studies. http://nspi.gov.au/node/2640 Accessed 13th March 2017.
4. Water NSW. Farm Dams. Water Quality. http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/catchment/living/managing-land/farm-dams Accessed 13th March 2017.
5. Pramod K Pandey, Phillip H Kass, Michelle L Soupir, Sagor Biwas, and Vijay P Singh, 2014. Contamination of water resources by pathogenic bacteria. AMB Express, 2014.
Accessed 14th March 2017.
6. RCI. Information about algae and algae toxins. https://www.algae.info/Algaecomplete.aspx Accessed 13th March 2017.
7. Kristin Murray, 2015. Rural communities warned chlorinate after waterborne brain-eating parasite kills three children. ABC News, November 2015. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-09/rural-children-at-risk-of-parasite-thriving-in-fresh-water/6922432
Accessed 14th March

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