National water quality survey at Fleet Pond

FLEET Pond has been chosen to represent the South East in a survey of water quality in the nation’s lakes.

The five year monitoring programme by a research team from Open Air Laboratories at University College London is being funded by the Big Lotto Fund and the Environment Agency.

The team recently came to the pond and removed (with Natural England’s permission) some fish to be taken away and analysed for persistent organic pollutants and trace metals.

Among the samples were tench, perch, bream and roach as well as many American  crayfish –an alien species that is invading many English waterways.

Other sampling will involve looking at zooplankton and phytoplankton in the pond as well as water transparency, temperature, conductivity and oxygen.

Said Hart Countryside Ranger Joanna Lawrence: “We hope that the findings will help with the Fleet Pond Restoration Project.”

Further information contact Joanna on 01252 623443 or email joanna.lawrence@hart.gov.uk