Water Quality Lab Report PDF

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Topic of Lab Report: “Does pond management and human intervention affect water quality in
two different types of ponds?”...

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Divya Varde TA: Laura Tuesday/3:00-4:50pm

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Water Quality Lab Report Introduction Water quality is the basic form of testing that assure the overall health of water sources, while providing insights to probable causes of good/bad results. With so many sources of water available for testing at UMBC, we focused on two sources that have somewhat made an impact throughout campus. We were keen to know whether there was a difference in overall water quality in a man-made pond (Library Pond) versus a natural pond (Pig Pen Pond). To narrow our experiment, we decided that this study will be testing water quality in the Library Pond and the Pig Pen Pond to determine if human management of ponds affects water quality. Thus, our research question is, “Does pond management and human intervention affect water quality in two different types of ponds?” There are many critical parameters that aid in testing and determining water quality. For this experiment, parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and total Phosphates were tested for in both ponds. pH is a basic measure of Hydrogen ion concentration in water, to determine whether the solution is acidic or basic. pH, measured on a scale, ranges from 1 to 14, 1 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being basic. Too high or too low pH levels in water can adversely affect the lives of many aquatic species. “The majority of aquatic creatures prefer a pH range of 6.5-9.0” (Kemker, 2013). The other parameter that was used was dissolved oxygen, which simply refers to the level of free oxygen present in water. The major source of dissolved oxygen in water results from photosynthesis of autotrophic species. An optimal level for dissolved oxygen is above 3 parts per million (ppm), as “concentrations below 3 ppm stress most warm water species of fish and concentrations below 2 ppm will kill some species” (Dissolved Oxygen, Aquaplant). Turbidity and total phosphates were also tested for. Turbidity determines water clarity based on the total suspended solids present. “As the concentrations of total suspended solids are difficult to measure and predict, most states do not have a set standard” (Kemker, 2014). Thus, turbidity is sometimes determined by plain observations—less water clarity shows high levels of turbidity and vise versa. Increased turbidity levels can hinder aquatic growth as muddy waters can prevent sunlight from entering and hinder food production and growth of aquatic species. Lastly, phosphates are important to be present within waters to allow plant and animal growth. “Human activities, however, have resulted in excessive loading of phosphorus into many freshwater systems.” (Phosphorus: Sources, Forms, Impact on Water Quality - A General Overview). Excess amounts of phosphates can contribute to speeding up eutrophication processes. “The typical range for surface waters is 0.005 to 0.5 ppm” (Phosphorus: Sources, Forms, Impact on Water Quality - A General Overview). After doing some basic background research, we hypothesize that human management of ponds affects water quality. Thus, our predictions are as follows: pH and phosphate levels will be lower in the Library Pond and turbidity and dissolved oxygen levels will be higher in the Pig Pen Pond. Methods The parameters, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and phosphates, were tested for in both samples from the Library Pond and the Pig Pen Pond. Both water samples were collected at the edge of each source and using two different plastic wash bottles. Through basic observations, we were able to make conclusions about each pond. The Library Pond, man-made, was recently

Divya Varde Varde 2 TA: Laura Tuesday/3:00-4:50pm constructed and is open to various human interactions. As many students and staff gather around the pond to socialize, eat, or study, the pond is vulnerable to debris and pollution. On the other hand, the Pig Pen Pond, naturally made, is secluded, surrounded by shrubs and wild grass, and is open to numerous insects and animals. In order to prevent bias or errors, equal amounts of both water samples were obtained from the edge of both ponds using clean wash bottles, during the same time on the same day. There were many variables to take into account throughout this experiment. The independent variable, which is manipulated by the researcher, was the type of ponds selected for testing. The dependent variable, which is measured by the researcher, were the results of each parameter that was tested. The control, which is kept constant throughout the experiment, is the type of parameters used—pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and total phosphates. Before beginning the experiment, all the equipment was distilled and prepared for testing. The tests were conducted following the equipment and procedures from LaMotte (2012) for the pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved oxygen, and phosphates tests. After conducting the tests for each parameter for both samples, the results were recorded. Table 1: Concentration Results for each Parameter Library Pond

Pig Pen Pond

pH

8.1 pH

7.9 pH

Turbidity (FAU)

4 FAU

6 FAU

Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

3.8 ppm

3.4 ppm

Phosphates (ppm)

0.00 ppm

0.14 ppm

Results After all parameters were tested, the results were obtained for each sample and used to construct graphs to show differences. Graph 1 displays the results of the concentrations of phosphates and dissolved oxygen. Although dissolved oxygen levels were close, the Library Pond had the highest dissolved oxygen level while the Pig Pen Pond had the highest phosphate count. Graph 2 displays the data of turbidity within each pond, showing that the Pig Pen Pond had the highest levels compared to the Library Pond. Lastly, graph 3 shows the pH levels of each pond, with the Library Pond having the highest pH level compared to Pig Pen Pond.

Divya Varde TA: Laura Tuesday/3:00-4:50pm Graph 1

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Divya Varde TA: Laura Tuesday/3:00-4:50pm

Effect Pond and Dissolved Oxygen in Library Pond and Pig Pen Pond Effectof Pond Management on pH of Library Pond and Pig Pen osphates 8.15

8.1

8.05

pHConcentration

8 Phosphates (ppm) Dissolved Oxygen (ppm) 7.95

7.9

7.85

7.8

Library Pond

Pig Pen Pond Pig Pen Pond

Sites Sites

Graph 2

Graph 3

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Effect of Pond Management on Turbidity of Library Pond and Pig Pen Pond 7

6

5

Turbidity(FAU)

4

3

2

1

0

Library Pond

Pig Pen Pond

Sites

Divya Varde Varde 6 TA: Laura Tuesday/3:00-4:50pm Discussion After completing the experiment, visible trends were able to be seen between both ponds. Although the results were quite close, the Library Pond had the highest dissolved oxygen level at 3.8ppm, while the Pig Pen Pond had a level of 3.4ppm. While the Library Pond contained no phosphates, the Pig Pen Pond had a phosphate level of 0.14ppm. As for turbidity, the Pig Pen Pond had the highest turbidity at 6 FAU, while the Library Pond resulted in 4 FAU. Lastly, the Library Pond displayed the highest pH level at 8.1, where as the Pig Pen Pond resulted in 7.9. When analyzing the data and the results, we came across interesting conclusions. The Library Pond had the highest pH level at 8.1. This pond scales above the neutral level on the pH scale, making it basic. However, as the normal pH range for ponds is between 6.5 and 9.0, it is able to habitat aquatic life without damaging effects. We believe that the high pH level of the Library Pond is mainly due to the fact that it is fairly new and as a result has not been severely affected by human interactions. As mentioned above, the dissolved oxygen levels were fairly close when comparing both ponds. However, the Library Pond resulted in the highest DO level at 3.8ppm. When looking at both DO results, both ponds had DO levels higher than 3ppm, putting them in a safe, normal range. Thus, both ponds do not show signs of poor aquatic health. When comparing turbidity levels, the Pig Pen Pond had the highest level at 6 FAU. This value just shows us that this pond was just a little dirtier as compared to the Library Pond. As the Library Pond was recently made, these values make sense as to why the Library was much cleaner and had better water clarity as well. As for total phosphates, the Library Pond resulted in no phosphates while the Pin Pen Pond resulted in a phosphate level of 0.14ppm. Since the presence of phosphates in water indicates sediment runoff, rain, etc., we were satisfied with the results we obtained. Once again, as the Library Pond was recently made and since there is less chance of the water containing phosphates. However, the Pig Pen Pond, being located in a natural surrounding, is more prone to sediment and rain runoff. Overall, I do accept my hypothesis that human management of ponds affects water quality. A Pig Pen Pond, that was naturally made, produced different results compared to the Library Pond, that was man-man. Throughout this experiment, there were a few errors that occurred. As for collection errors, the main challenge was making sure to collect water from the edge of each source, making sure to avoid excess debris as well. For testing/measurement errors, the challenge was making sure to use the correct reagents and formulas for each type of parameter being tested, as well as, being aware of which sample under went which testing already, as each member was doing their part in completing a different parameter. To expand on our findings, a new experiment that could be performed would be to research the affects of water quality in man-made streams compared to natural streams.

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Sources “Dissolved Oxygen.” AQUAPLANT. Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. Kemker, Christine. “Dissolved Oxygen.” Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements. Fondriest Environmental, Inc. 19 Nov. 2013. Web. < http://www.fondriest.com/environmentalmeasurements/parameters/water-quality/dissolved-oxygen/ >. Kemker, Christine. “pH of Water.” Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements. Fondriest Environmental, Inc. 19 Nov. 2013. Web. < http://www.fondriest.com/environmentalmeasurements/parameters/water-quality/ph/ >. Kemker, Christine. “Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids and Water Clarity.” Fundamentals of Environmental Measurements. Fondriest Environmental, Inc. 13 Jun. 2014. Web. < http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/turbidity-totalsuspended-solids-water-clarity/ >. LaMotte. (2012). Smart 3 Colorimeter: Users Manual. Chestertown, MD: LaMotte. "Phosphorus: Sources, Forms, Impact on Water Quality - A General Overview." Water Quality-Impaired Waters 3.12 (2008): 1-2. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Web. 18 Apr. 2016....