Environmental Science IA Labs

Lab #1 Date: January 29, 2016 Title: The pH of the water in four rivers Aim: To determine the pH of the water of four rivers Material: Beaker, universal pH indicator, dropping pipette, stirring rod, measuring cylinder Procedure: 1. 5 cm3 of water sample was poured into a beaker. 2. Using a dropping pipette, 3 drops of indicator were added to the water. 3. The mixture was stirred using a stirring rod and left to settle. 4. The colour was observed and compared with a pH colour scale to determine the overall pH. 5. A note was made and the results recorded in a table. Results: Table showing the pH of the four rivers River Rio Cobre Fresh River Duhuaney River Hope River

pH

Range(USGS/NRCA

8.5 7.5 7.5 8

) 6-9 6-9 6-9 6-9

Discussion: The pH of a substance can be described as how alkaline or acidic a substance is. The pH of four rivers were taken; Rio Cobre, Fresh River, Duhaney River and Hope River. The readings above illustrate that Rio Cobre’s pH is the highest with Duhaney and Fresh River the lowest. The results also show that the rivers are alkaline with Rio Cobre again having the highest figure. Aquatic life is affected by the change in pH; reason being they are accustomed to 1

surviving at a certain pH; organisms’ life is at risk if this is altered even slightly. The table also illustrates that our rivers are in line with the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Jamaica’s NRCA range of 6-9 for international standards.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the pH level affects water quality, and once water quality is affected aquatic life/organisms are at risk.

Lab #2 2

Date: January 29, 2016 Title: The temperature of the water in four rivers Aim: To determine the temperature of the water of four rivers Materials: Beaker, measuring cylinder, mercury thermometer Procedure:

1. 10cm3 of water sample was taken and then poured into a beaker. 2. The temperature was taken twice using a laboratory mercury thermometer. 3. The beaker with the river water sample was placed on a flat surface. 4. The thermometer was placed into the beaker with the river water and stirred to create a homogenous solution. 5. The thermometer was read at eye level and the results recorded in a table.

Results: Table showing the temperatures of the water of four rivers River Rio Cobre Fresh River Duhaney River Hope River

Sample

Temperature/0c

Rio Cobre 1 Rio Cobre 2 Fresh River 1 Fresh River 2 Duhaney River 1

28 27 26 24 26

Duhaney River 2 Hope River 1 Hope River 2

26 22 21

Average

Range

Temperature 28

(USGS/NRCA) 23-30

25

23-30

26

23-30

22

23-30

Discussion: Temperature is the average measure of thermal energy of a substance. The temperatures of four rivers were taken, namely: Rio Cobre, Hope River, Duhaney Park and Fresh River respectively. Based on the results Rio Cobre was the hottest of all four rivers, while Hope 3

River was the coolest. As it relates to water quality, temperature has its effect on a number of life cycles. Mainly that of aquatic life and habitats, an increase in temperature more than likely will result in an increase in body functions, such as: the respiration and metabolic rates. The readings above in the table indicate that most organisms would have an increase in bodily functions hence putting their lives in danger. Temperature also affects the pH, dissolved oxygen content, compound toxicity and the conductivity of water. The NRCA and international standards range is 23-30 degrees celsius and all rivers except Hope River were in the specified range.

Conclusion: Temperature has its pros and cons however, if it is the only factor considered for water quality, then it can be said that all four rivers are suitable for aquatic life and organisms.

Lab #3 Date: January 29, 2016

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Title: Dissolved Oxygen in Water Aim: To determine the dissolved oxygen level in the water of four rivers Material: Water sample, 2 measuring cylinders, 2 beakers Test Kit Dissolved Oxygen

Manufacturer Extech

Procedure: 1. 10cm3 of river water sample was measured in a measuring cylinder and then poured in a beaker 2. The Extech dissolved oxygen meter was used 3. The meter was submerged and turned on. This was repeated and then averaged 4. Step 1-3 were repeated for the three other river samples Results: River

Sample

Dissolved Average Range Oxygen Dissolved (USGS/NRCA) Concentration Oxygen Level Rio Cobre Rio Cobre 1 5.66 5.78 >6.00 Rio Cobre 2 5.90 Fresh River Fresh River 1 7.20 7.26 Fresh River 2 7.32 Duhaney River Duhaney River 1 5.97 6.04 Duhaney River 2 6.10 Hope River Hope River 1 8.20 7.99 Hope River 2 7.79 Table showing the Dissolved Oxygen Concentration level of the water of four rivers Discussion: In the table, the results depict the Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Level in four rivers. The suitable USGS/NRCA range is greater (>) than 6 and it can be noticed that three of the four rivers have met this target. Rio Cobre proves to have the lowest level, meaning there is an inadequate supply of oxygen in the water body for aquatic life to survive. The other three

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rivers (3) Fresh River, Duhaney River, Hope River have met the stated range above (>6); meaning these water bodies have enough oxygen to allow the survival of aquatic life.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that if the stated range is met, then the water body can be said to be safe for aquatic life.

Lab#4 Date: January 29, 2016 Title: Nitrate Level of water 6

Aim: To determine the nitrate level in the water of four rivers Material: Water sample, 2 measuring cylinders, 2 beakers, 5cm3 test tube Procedure: 1. 10cm3 of river water sample was poured in a measuring cylinder and then poured in a beaker 2. The Nitrate Nitrogen Test Kit was used to determine the nitrate level in the sample at Rio Cobre 1 3. The water sampling bottle was filled with sample water 4. The 5cm3 test tube was filled to the lower line with sample water 5. It was diluted to the second line with Mixed Acid Reagent. It was capped and mixed 6. It was left for 2 minutes 7. The 0.1g spoon was used to add one level measure of Nitrate Reducing Reagent 8. The tube was capped. The tube was inverted slowly and completely for 30 times in 1 minute to ensure complete mixing. 9. It was left for 10 minutes 10. The test tube was inserted into a low range comparator with a Nitrate-Nitrogen Low Range Comparator Bar. 11. The 10cm3 test tube was filled with sample water 12. The Low Range Comparator was then placed in it. The sample colour was matched to the colour of standard. It was recorded as ppm Nitrate-Nitrogen. 13. To convert to nitrate, the results were multiplied by 4.4 14.

Steps 1-13 were repeated for the other locations.

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Results: Table showing the Nitrate Level of four rivers. River

Sample

Nitrate level

Rio Cobre

Rio Cobre 1 Rio Cobre 2 Fresh River 1 Fresh River 2 Duhaney River 1

0.083 0.080 0.067 0.059 0.081

Duhaney River 2 Hope River 1 Hope River 2

0.079 0.073 0.077

Fresh River Duhaney River Hope River

Average Nitrate level 0.082

Range (USGS/NRCA) 0.001-0.081

0.063 0.080 0.075

Discussion: The increase in nitrate level is mostly due to run-off from farms among other factors. The suitable range for nitrate level is 0.001-0.081; it is said that between these values, aquatic life is safe or is able to sustain life longer. If the nitrate level increases algae and morass is formed, preventing light from entering the river. Light is necessary for the splitting of water molecules. Therefore, it can be said that if the nitrate level surpasses the specified range then the water body can be deemed toxic, unsafe and unclean for aquatic life. Rio Cobre is the only river surpassing the range; hence it is the most toxic of the four. Every other river met the specified range; therefore they are is suitable for aquatic life. Conclusion: It can be concluded that if the nitrate level increases or surpasses the specified range then the water body is unsafe, toxic and unclean for the survival of aquatic life.

Lab #5 Date: January 29, 2016 Title: Fecal Coliform

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Aim: to investigate the presence of fecal coliform in four rivers samples. Apparatus: coliscan easy gel; dropper; measuring cylinder; petri dish; incubator Procedure:

1. A sterilized dropper was used to extract 15ml of water 2. A measuring cylinder was used to measure the volume of water. 3. Place the sample of water in the bottle with the coliscan easy gel. 4. The mixture was shaken for 30 seconds 5. The mixture was poured in a petri dish and then placed in an incubator at 35 degrees Celsius. 6. This was left for 24hrs. 7. Results were obtained by counting the colonies.

Results: Table showing total fecal coliform of four rivers. Sample Rio Cobre Fresh river Duhaney river Hope river

Total Coliform Colonies 43 10 34 9

Discussion: The results table depicts that the colony colifrom level is relatively high in all four rivers with Rio Cobre having the highest (43) colonies and Hope River the lowest (9). Fecal Coliform is microbial; it can be found in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals and excreted with feces. Therefore if animal feces are present, then the water bodies with the highest colony can be said to be infectious, unsafe and unclean; thus with the lowest is not as contaminated as the others. 9

Conclusion: It can be concluded that fecal coliform affects water quality in a negative manner, by making it infectious, unsafe and unclean for use by humans and aquatic life.

Pictures

Site 1: Rio Cobre

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Site 2. Fresh River

Site 3. Duhaney River 11

Site 4. Hope River

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