Water Testing

 

 

Phosphorus - 8/29

Data – 0ppm Orthophosphate

 

Significance- Phosphorus is a vital nutrient for plant growth and for metabolic reactions. Phosphorus is usually present in water in the form of phosphate, and come in two different kinds, organic and non-organic. The organic form is found in living plants, animals, and animal by-products.  Inorganic forms are found attached to soil particles or present in laundry detergents. It is a limiting factor for algal growth. In small quantities, phosphates are safe. It is only dangerous when highly concentrated. Some of the man-made causes of phosphorus contamination are fertilizers, pesticides, industry, and cleaning compounds.  Natural sources include phosphate-containing rocks, solid or liquid wastes, forest fires, and fall-out from volcanic eruptions.

 

Water Hardness – 8/30

Data – 120 ppm

Significance – When large amounts of calcium, magnesium, or iron ions are present, hard water is occurring. Surprisingly it has advantages along with the common disadvantages. Some of the advantages are the firming of fruit, and is not hazardous to drink. However the disadvantages are nasty taste, water spots and the clogging of pipes and water heaters. Another advantage is that aquatic life is unaffected by even high contents of hardness.

 

Turbidity – 8/31

Data – Small column test – 10 JTU

            Big Tube – 112 mL

Significance – Turbidity is the measure of the suspended material in a creek or body of water. The dirtier or turbid, the water, the higher the turbidity.  To some extent all water has at least a low amount of turbidity. However when the water is very turbid, sunlight cannot get through the water to the plants and photosynthesis cannot occur. Also, some of the materials suspended may hurt the animal and plant life in the water. Turbidity has many causes, some human and some natural. Human sources include swimming, fishing and boating. Natural includes when the topsoil runs off the ground into the water.

 

Carbon Dioxide

Data –

Significance-

 

pH-

Data-

Significance – pH is the concentration of hydrogen ions in a substance.  The lower the concentration, the higher the acidity, and the higher the number, the higher the base level.  pH is very important to water life, because some aquatic life must have a certain level to keep it alive.

 

Dissolved Oxygen Kit –

Data –

Significance – Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. It is essential for any body of water. If a body of water is missing DO, it is a sign of severe pollution.  Most of the DO comes from natural sources such as atmosphere or plants and is mixed in. Photosynthesis also puts DO in the water. The normal saturation for DO is 90% or higher, which is considered healthy. Many microorganisms, vegetation and fish rely on this high level of DO, and if it is depleted, they die.

 

 

Nitrogen –

Data – 0ppm

Significance – One of the most abundant elements found on earth, Nitrogen is an essential part of plant and animal life. It is a very good thing, but it can become a bad thing if there is too much. Nitrogen promotes algal growth, which can make the water age faster, and pollute the water. It comes into the water by sewage, storm drains, fertilizer runoff, livestock waste and carcasses. This is a hard problem to fix, because it is a non-point source of pollution. Ways of helping the Nitrogen problems is to contour plow and to rotate the crops.  There are some health risks for humans if there is too much nitrogen in the water. If a child is exposed to high amounts of nitrates, they may get infant methemoglobiunemia where the oxygen doesn’t mix with the hemoglobin in their blood.

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