Conclusions: Phosphates

As with the nitrate test, there were no significant levels of phosphates found.  Again this is likely a result of little runoff from the dry conditions as well as the fact that domestic detergents no longer contain phosphates.  Like nitrates, I would have expected to find higher levels of phosphates in the wetland samples because of the organic decay and the hypoxic conditions that exist. It might be a good idea to test new samples from the sites at different points in the year to see if any increases in runoff lead to any higher concentrations.