Water Quality Lab

Alana Brown, Myra Collins, Kara Snow, Grace Valchar

02 May 2017

A Study of the Water Quality of a Nearby Pond and Creek Through a Series of Chemical Tests

Water Quality Lab

Introduction:

This study was conducted to analyze the water quality in Smith Creek and the Heritage High School

pond. In order to do so, multiple indicator tests, including temperature, pH, phosphate, nitrate, turbidity, DO,

chlorine, and ammonia were executed. These properties of the water indicate the health of the aquatic

ecosystem, and of course, the quality of the water. One major factor in determining the water quality in a body

of water is the Dissolved Oxygen levels, or the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the aquatic environment.

Oxygen can enter the water from the atmosphere, as a product of aquatic photosynthesis, or even through rapid

motion. Major factors in the DO levels are temperature, salinity, and pressure changes, but there are others do

not occur naturally, such as pollution from runoff or point sources. Too much oxygen can lead to increased of

decomposition while too low can lead to suffocation. DO levels can be tested by recording temperature and then

placing two Dissolved Oxygen TestTabs into the sample. The color is then recorded and compared to a chart,

telling us the amount of DO present. Temperature is tested using a simple thermometer. Temperatures that are

too high can lead to reduced DO levels as well as unwanted algae growth. Ph determines if the water is

habitable to organisms and also solubility of the body of water, with the optimal range for most fish being

between 6-7.5 (Flinn). This can be tested through litmus paper which will display a certain color when exposed

to the water that shows its Ph. Phosphorus is usually a limiting factor in aquatic environments as it is essential

for most life. While it is important, too much from fertilizer runoff or erosion can lead to unwanted plant growth

and eventually Eutrophication. Phosphate is tested similarly to DO, using TesTabs and comparing the color to

an indicator sheet. Lastly, excess amounts of nitrate can lead to unwanted plant growth as well (WRIG). This is

tested by adding one CTA TesTab into the sample, waiting five minutes, and then comparing the color to an

indicator sheet. Water properties are similar in regards to their cause-effect relationship; For example, “High
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concentrations of particulate matter affect light penetration and productivity, recreational values, and habitat

quality, and cause lakes to fill in faster” (USGS).

The quality of water can be deteriorated if contaminants enter the aquatic ecosystem. Water from Smith

Creek could be contaminated through debris runoff of construction areas, fertilizer or pesticide runoffs from the

surrounding homes, farms, or other buildings. An example of point source pollution would be the student

parking lot. The student and staff vehicles parked in the parking lot behind the school are also major

contributors as they sometimes leak gasoline when in a stationary position for long periods of time.

Contamination could result in the death of the aquatic life, and therefore disrupting the food web of the aquatic

environment. The outcome could also include the contamination of human life as the substance bioaccumulates

and biomagnifies. “Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are

consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels.”

(eSchoolToday). The most destructive result of contamination of waters such as the Smith Creek, would be the

destruction of the ecosystem if the substance destroys the majority of organisms in the environment.

The water pollution could be solved by better drainage systems in all of the surrounding neighborhoods

and the HHS parking lot. If better filters and drainage systems were put into place, less of the pollutants from

cars and trucks would reach the water. Also, more trees and buffers could be planted at the edge of the parking

lot to the stream and the trees would suck up more of the pollution and prevent some runoff. Lastly,

construction should be kept at a minimum in order to decrease runoff as much as possible. Clearing trees and

exposing soil leads to more growth and less DO in the surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Since the 1960’s, deforestation has become a huge problem in the world due to an increasing need for

large agricultural farms. This has wrecked havoc on the aquatic environments as sedimentary runoff has

increased significantly due to soil erosion. Not only has this affected the lives of any water dwelling organism,

but lakes and streams have actually died in a process called Eutrophication in which they are overwhelmed with

unwanted plant growth (National Geographic). This leads to the suffocation the species living in the water. With

a lack of species, human food supply decreases which may also can affect our supply of clean water.
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Problem: How does the current water quality of Smith Creek compare to the historic record?

Hypothesis: If we compare the water quality in Smith Creek to past years, the water quality of it will have

decreased due to higher numbers of surrounding construction sites and increased runoff from the student

parking lot and surrounding developing neighborhoods.

Procedure:

1. Collect water samples from Smith Creek.

2. Perform the following tests according to instructions provided:

a. Temperature

b. pH

c. Phosphate

d. Nitrate

e. Cumulative Index Value (virtual)

f. DO

Data & Analysis:

(If inclement weather use http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/CT04/CT04.html )

1. Identify the:

a. Date: April 5, 2017

b. Time: 1:00 p.m.

c. Location: Smith Creek and HHS Pond

d. Air Temp: 26o C

e. Humidity: 41%

2. Complete the table with your results of the tests using the water quality kit.

Test Smith Creek HHS Pond

Temperature ℃ 20oC 21oC

pH 6.5 6
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Phosphate (ppm) .1 10

Nitrate (ppm) .88 .88

Turbidity 0 0

Dissolved Oxygen (ppm) 4 4

Chlorine (ppm) 0 0

Ammonia (ppm) .5 1

3. Calculating Dissolved Oxygen - In order to calculate the dissolved oxygen levels, you need to compare

them to the water temperature.

4. Determine the potential dissolved oxygen level by using the chart below.

Potential DO

Temperature DO

(°C) (ppm)

0 13.7

5 12.0

10 10.7

15 9.5

20 8.6

25 7.8

5. Use the following formula to determine the percent oxygen saturation by dividing the actual dissolved

oxygen level by the potential dissolved oxygen level.

4divided by 8.6 multiplied by 100 = 46.5% saturation for both smith creek and hhs pond.
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6. Graph your data and write an explanatory paragraph.

This graph depicts the results from testing various water quality indicators on the HHS pond and Smith

Creek. It is apparent that since both aquatic areas had relative temperatures, their data yielded to similar results.

For example, the nitrate levels, turbidity, dissolved oxygen levels, and chlorine tested the same results in both

locations. The largest difference is apparent in the phosphate levels as the HHS Pond had 100x more phosphate

than Smith Creek. This may be due to soil erosion in the area since the pond serves as a storage for additional

runoff. The pH in the HHS pond was also slightly more acidic which may be due to the additional minerals

from the soil erosion or fertilizer runoff from the HHS landscapers. All in all, both ecosystems had similar

results.

Conclusion:

Smith Creek and HHS Pond have had tests conducted to determine if the water quality within each

ecosystem is healthy or unhealthy. The data collected has shown that it has changed overtime, varying from

ideal freshwater to polluted freshwater. The data collected could focus on the levels of temperature, dissolved

oxygen, pH, nitrate, and phosphate since they are all factors to determining healthy water quality. The historic

data of Smith Creek was 5oC in 1994 but in 2017, it tested to be 20oC. Also, historically the HHS Pond was

11.5oC and now it tested to be 21oC. So, as seen over many years for Smith Creek and HHS Pond the
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temperatures have increased. pH is another factor that has changed overtime. The ideal pH for freshwater is 5.0-

8.5. Historically, the HHS Pond had a pH of 6.5. and Smith Creek had a higher pH of 7.4. Now the HHS Pond

has a pH of 6, while Smith Creek now has a lower pH at 6.5. Nitrate levels have had changes overtime, as well.

The nitrate levels for the HHS Pond, historically were 0 ppm, but now it is 0.88 ppm. Smith Creek nitrate levels

in 1994 were 1.54 ppm but now it is 0.88 ppm. Ideal nitrate levels are around 0 ppm and the HHS Pond and

Smith Creek are relatively close to the ideal nitrate levels. Dissolved oxygen has changed drastically over time

whether it having increased or decreased it will cause a big impact on the types of organisms able to live within

these ecosystems. Historically, Smith Creek had dissolved oxygen (DO) contents of 13.6 ppm and HHS Pond

was at 0 ppm. As of 2017 the dissolved oxygen (DO) contents are 4 for both Smith Creek and HHS Pond. The

ideal dissolved oxygen (DO) content is 5-6 ppm; therefore, the HHS Pond and Smith Creek as of 2017 are

below the ideal DO levels at 4 ppm. As it is seen overtime, Smith Creek has become more polluted and is not a

reliable source for drinking water. One reason for the decrease of pH is due to the CO2 produced from the

respiration of animals in the water. As mentioned above, the DO levels of both the HHS Pond and Smith Creek

are below the ideal level which is 5-6 ppm and they are at 4 ppm. When DO becomes too low, it means there is

not enough oxygen for the wildlife to live which causes them to die. Various aquatic and plant life could die due

to the lower DO levels in both ecosystems. The hypothesis that has been created is correct to say that the water

quality of Smith Creek and HHS Pond is decreasing over the years, as seen in the data shown/mentioned above.

There are many things that could be contaminating the water and causing it to have bad water quality. The

possible sources of contamination for this water source could have resulted from groundwater pollution. This

pollution was caused by runoff from student cars which contain gas and oil. Also within the student parking lot,

animal feces get carried into the stream through the runoff within surface water. Also, runoff containing

fertilizer can contaminate the water source. There are solutions that can be taken into action to fix the possible

sources of contamination. Possible solutions to improve water quality of the stream would be to fertilize more

efficiently around the school, pick up animal feces after they excrete it, monitoring the water monthly, control

or remove invasive species and pests, and instead of cutting down the trees, plant more to help decrease land

runoff. Due to the poor water quality there will be certain macroinvertebrate populations that indicate poor
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water quality. Certain macroinvertebrate populations of Smith Creek that are possible to see would be midge

flies, mayfly, crayfish, crane fly, caddisfly, and scud.

Scientists have discovered that the water quality of the Illinois River has increased and become healthier due

to increased corn production. Due to the nitrogen being absorbed in the soil and becoming nitrate for corn

production, nitrogen levels have decreased in the water because it is unable to be carried to the water since it is

being used in soil. It is possible that with more research and practice that growing corn near Smith Creek and

the HHS Pond could increase the quality of those waters. With the Illinois River, a very big source of water,

being able to become healthier, there is hope that the HHS Pond and Smith Creek can also get healthier if this

practice is taken into place.

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Works Cited

ESchooltoday. "Effects of Water Pollution." What Are the Effects of Water Pollution. Business Ghana, 2017.

Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

Gallant, Micah. "Menu." Wheatley River Improvement Group. WRIG, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Society, National Geographic. "Marine Habitat Destruction." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr.

2017.

University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. "Illinois River water

quality improvement linked to more efficient corn production." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 May

2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160510134252.htm>.