Period3D

Hypothesis: Our hypothesis is that the health status of the river area is that it is clean enough to support life, but could be improved. Life is visible in the river so we believe it is clean, but polution and other factors may make the water unhealthy. Area 1:

pH- 6 Depth- 4 centimeters Temperature- 71.2 degrees F Turbidity- 5.1 Flow Rate- 0.2 m/s Conductivity- 280 Temperature (2)- 74.66 degrees F Phosphate- 0.2

Area 2:

pH- 6.5 Depth- 5 centimeters Temperature- 71 degrees F Turbidity- 8 Flow Rate- 0.15 m/s Conductivity- 279 Temperature (2)- 74.48 degrees F Phosphate- 0.2

Area 3:

pH- 7 Depth- 5 centimeters Temperature- 71.2 degrees F Turbidity- 21.4 Flow Rate- 0.06 m/s Conductivity- 279 Temperature (2)- 74.66 degrees F Phosphate- 0

Microscope tests- We took a sample of point source two and examined it at a microscopic level. Once we got it focused, we saw mostly black mud, but the we green spots in the sample. We are assuming that the green was either plant life or mold. We also did a mircoscope test of point source one. While we were examining it, we found living worm in the sample. The worm was micrscopic, but we could see it wiggling around. After about 5 minutes, the worm had seperated ftom the sample and it was moving around on the slide by itself. We tried to find it on the microscope, but it was moving around too much. Then it final stopped moving and we realized it was dead. The light from the microscope had burned it. We finally found the worm on the microscope and we saw the worm burned and dead. Then when we looked at the actual sample, we saw a very gross looking brownish green glob. Then we saw moving mircroscopic cells of some sort too.

Conclusion so far: The tests we conducted so far do not help us determine the cleanliness of the river. What we need to do is conduct more tests to help us decide what we need. For example, the point sources feeding into the river need to be inspected. Also, we can take samples of the water and look at it on a microscopic level. We've gathered our basic river information, but we still need to complete the tests that will clue us in on whether the river is clean or not. (Ex. phosphate, nitrate, etc.)

Pictures:

This is an example of a point source feeding into one of our spots on the river. You can clearly see the discolored trail of water and other substances leading to the water.

As you can see, the bottom of the river is clearly shades of green and brown, possibly from pollutants. Another possibility is moss and such.