We were interested in the biotic and a biotic factor in the aquatic environments of Sterling Lake in Lake County, IL. We examined water chemistry by using the Hach kit spectrometer to measure the chemical components dissolved in water. We tested a particular form of nitrogen, which is found in different form in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Also, we examined a sample of phosphorus SRP, which is dissolved in the water. We also measured the amount of oxygen in deferent depths of the lake.
             Sterling Lake is 74 acres and it lies at the southern end of the park, just north of Sterling Lake is the Des Plaines River. We took measurements from three different areas, one measurement from Des Plaines River and the other two from Sterling Lake; one sample form the middle of the lake and the other was taken by the dock. All of the samples were further examined in the lab. We used the paleographic oxygen meter in the middle of the lake in order to measure the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. We took many different readings starting at the top and stopping at a depth of 15 meters. Every half meter a measurement was taken and recorded in mg/l.
             In order to check the visibility in the lake, we performed a Secchi disk transparency reading. First, we lower the disk into the water until we couldn't see it anymore and recorded the depth it was at. Second, we put he disk in the water and then slowly pulled it up until we saw it again and recorded its depth. Then, we calculate the average of the two readings.
             We used a ph meter to test the ph of the water just by placing the electrode in the water.
             We collected some samples of zooplankton, from the dock area, by using the Schindler-Patalis plankton trap. The trap was lowered just below the surface and the water sample was collected.
             We used the Van Dorn and Beta bottle samplers at Des Plaines River. In this water samples we
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