Researchers: Ohio State lake jump a wee bit of fun

[November 20, 2009]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Intrepid Ohio State University researchers have learned students don't just party in a campus lake during rituals before the annual Michigan game. They also potty there. Thousands of students will jump into Ohio State's Mirror Lake Thursday night, ahead of Saturday's football game between the Buckeyes and Wolverines.

Before, during and after last year's big swim, the College of Earth Sciences monitored the water quality.

Postdoctoral research associate Steve Goldsmith said the lake's temperature went up 3 degrees throughout the night, and the ammonia level surged.

He said body heat could explain the warmer water, but the ammonia likely means one thing: urine.

Goldsmith advises students to have fun, just not open their mouths.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com/

[Associated Press]

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