Student Research Reports
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Water Pollution in the Brickyard Bayou
Organization(s):Bayou View Middle School (GLIDKIGP)
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Madelyn Stevens and Hannah Morales
Grade Level:Middle School (grades 6-8, ages 11-14)
GLOBE Member(s):Angela Lee
Contributors:Walter Anderson Museum James Karlson, MSU Extension, MDR, Nicholas Enwright a Research Geographer, Sabrina Cummings a Conservationist Biologist, John A. Tupy Fish & Wildlife Biologist.
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report, Standard Research Report, U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)
Protocols:Dissolved Oxygen, Water Temperature, Water Transparency
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-28
This research investigates the combined effects of pollution and drought on the biotic community of Brickyard Bayou. While initially focused on water chemistry, our scope expanded to include physical pollution after drought conditions revealed significant debris, including broken school equipment, obstructing the waterway. Our primary objective is to facilitate ecosystem restoration by identifying these barriers and assessing water habitability. We utilized standard protocols—including transparency, dissolved oxygen, pH, atmospheric conditions, and water temperature—to determine ecosystem viability. Our findings indicate that Brickyard Bayou is facing critical water level issues. The combination of drought and physical trash has created stagnant conditions, forcing organisms to migrate due to habitat loss. In conclusion, this problem can lead to permanent ecological degradation and a significant loss of local biodiversity. Without intervention, the stagnation will likely cause hypoxia, making the environment uninhabitable. Our research highlights the urgent need for physical debris removal to restore natural flow and health for both the community and the aquatic ecosystem.