H2O and beyond!!!!
Introduction
Water quality is very important to the Fernhill Wetlands because it naturally cleans our waste water before it goes back to the Tualatin River. To test the water quality you could check all of these tests: Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, Phosphates and pH. Dissolved oxygen tests the amount of oxygen in the water. That's how fish breath. The lower the tempature the higher the amount of dissolved oxygen. We also want to know the
pH of the water, which tests how acidic or basic the water is. What we want is a range of 7-8, which is in the neutral range. Nitrates make it difficult for the fish to live, but algae feeds on it. Large amounts can make can cause high fluctuations in dissolved oxygen. Phosphates can cause too much algae and weeds to grow. This can be a a result can make fish and aquatic organisms to die. The colder the water the better it is for fish to live, because the water can hold more dissolved oxygen. The purpose of Fernhill Wetlands is to clean Forest Grove waste water. Recently they reconstructed the wetlands to be more natural. We think it’s important to study the water quality of Fernhill Wetlands to see if the project is working.
Water quality is very important to the Fernhill Wetlands because it naturally cleans our waste water before it goes back to the Tualatin River. To test the water quality you could check all of these tests: Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, Phosphates and pH. Dissolved oxygen tests the amount of oxygen in the water. That's how fish breath. The lower the tempature the higher the amount of dissolved oxygen. We also want to know the
pH of the water, which tests how acidic or basic the water is. What we want is a range of 7-8, which is in the neutral range. Nitrates make it difficult for the fish to live, but algae feeds on it. Large amounts can make can cause high fluctuations in dissolved oxygen. Phosphates can cause too much algae and weeds to grow. This can be a a result can make fish and aquatic organisms to die. The colder the water the better it is for fish to live, because the water can hold more dissolved oxygen. The purpose of Fernhill Wetlands is to clean Forest Grove waste water. Recently they reconstructed the wetlands to be more natural. We think it’s important to study the water quality of Fernhill Wetlands to see if the project is working.
Research Question & Hypothesis
- Does Dabbler’s Marsh or the Experimental Wetlands have higher water quality?
- We think that Experimental Wetlands will have higher water quality overall. Compared to November, we predict that their will be colder temperatures and higher DO at both sites in February. We think that there will be more nitrates and phosphates in Dabbler’s Marsh because of runoff.
Methods
· Water quality kit – D0, pH, temp, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates
Materials:
· Water testing kit – thermometer, eyedroppers
· Probes & I-pad?
· Stop watch
· Safety goggles and gloves
· 4 collection jars, tape, marker
· Data collection sheet, maps, pencils, clipboard
1. Collect water sample from Dabbler’s Marsh. Label with masking tape.
2. Map the place where you collected samples. Record any special information (recent storms, weather conditions, erosion or trash observed, etc) on the data sheet.
3. Use the LaMotte Water Monitoring Kit to measure the following variables for each sample. Record results carefully.
- page 28: Temperature (degrees Celcius)
- page 24: pH (1-7 scale)
- page 16: DO (ppm/calculate saturation)
- page 22: Nitrates (ppm)
- page 26: Phosphates (ppm)
4. Double check pH and temperature readings using Vernier probes
5. Clean up samples.
6. Repeat procedures 1- 5 with water from the Experimental Wetlands. Compare results & discuss possible explanations.
· Water quality kit – D0, pH, temp, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates
Materials:
· Water testing kit – thermometer, eyedroppers
· Probes & I-pad?
· Stop watch
· Safety goggles and gloves
· 4 collection jars, tape, marker
· Data collection sheet, maps, pencils, clipboard
1. Collect water sample from Dabbler’s Marsh. Label with masking tape.
2. Map the place where you collected samples. Record any special information (recent storms, weather conditions, erosion or trash observed, etc) on the data sheet.
3. Use the LaMotte Water Monitoring Kit to measure the following variables for each sample. Record results carefully.
- page 28: Temperature (degrees Celcius)
- page 24: pH (1-7 scale)
- page 16: DO (ppm/calculate saturation)
- page 22: Nitrates (ppm)
- page 26: Phosphates (ppm)
4. Double check pH and temperature readings using Vernier probes
5. Clean up samples.
6. Repeat procedures 1- 5 with water from the Experimental Wetlands. Compare results & discuss possible explanations.
Results
Findings & Conclusion
Our hypothesis was that the experimental wetlands would have a better water quality than Dabbler's Marsh. Our hypothesis was incorrect because Dabbler's Marsh had a better water quality. Water quality plays an important role in our eco system. It was a good sign that both wetlands had great results. Our research is important for fernhill because we can see what areas are more healthy for fish and animals to lie. We had ups and downs as a group. We had hard times remembering to write done data and it was hard to keep track of what tests we had already done. Our study leads us to wonder would it be different if we studied in other areas. We would like to keep our study going on so we can see how we affect the water quality and our environment.
Our hypothesis was that the experimental wetlands would have a better water quality than Dabbler's Marsh. Our hypothesis was incorrect because Dabbler's Marsh had a better water quality. Water quality plays an important role in our eco system. It was a good sign that both wetlands had great results. Our research is important for fernhill because we can see what areas are more healthy for fish and animals to lie. We had ups and downs as a group. We had hard times remembering to write done data and it was hard to keep track of what tests we had already done. Our study leads us to wonder would it be different if we studied in other areas. We would like to keep our study going on so we can see how we affect the water quality and our environment.
Reflection
Overall, we thought the project was fun and we got to do a lot of different things. It was fun to see the changes in water quality over time.
Overall, we thought the project was fun and we got to do a lot of different things. It was fun to see the changes in water quality over time.