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At Black Rock Forest we did water testing. And I'll write the results. However, the results do not mean anything if there is no standard result to compare it. (for example, with dissolved oxygen 8 parts per million (ppm) is average while 4 ppm is barely enough to keep the aquatic creature alive). Currently I am in the process of finding the standards--what the result should be in ideally.
But I need YOUR help. If anyone knows or can find out, please post the standards or what is ideal, what is acceptable, etc for the following test: Carbon Dioxide, Phosphate, and Nitrate. Help
Also, here's a question for you, why do living organism on earth need oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrate (think in terms of nitrogen), and phosphate (thphosphateerms of phosphorus)? And if we need all these minerals and elements, why are high levels bad? Ideas?
We also did water testing in two ponds--a man-made reservoir and a natural pond. Please also post the factor that could affect the results in a man-made pond and in a natural pond. And if there should be a difference in results for a certain test between a natural and manmade pond, why? Answers?
MERCURY (a bit too in-depth, might need in depth a bit of biology and chemistry)
For example, if we where testing for mercury, we would expect that the levels of mercury in a natural pond to be higher than that in a man-made pond. The reason behind this is that inorganic mercury (produced by industries) tends to accumulate in sediments in a natural pond. But in a manmade pond, especially in a reservoir, the water level ni the reservoir is always changing. Thus the mercury is constantly being exposed to air. In the air insects and microorganism change the inorganic mercury into organic mercury. Organic mercury is a mercury that creatures can ingest. Thus, some of the mercury found in a manmade pond leaves and becomes part of the food chain, thus lowering the levels of mercury. In a natural pond, the mercury stays in the sediment and the level does not drop, they usually stay the same or it increases.
Also as you review the results, please feel free to explain the results.
RESULTS
Sutherland Pond (Natural)
Carbon Dioxide: 8 ppm
Dissolved Oxygen: 10 ppm
Nitrate: 14.6 mg/L
Phosphate in Phosphorus: 0.98 mg/L
pH: 4.9
FUN FACT: pH stands for percent hydrogen. To measure how acidic (acid) or basic (base) a solution is, we measure the amount of H+ (an element) ions there is in the solution. If the concentration is high, the solution is acidic and if the concentration is low, the solution is basic. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14. A pH of 1-6 is acidic, a pH of 7 or 8 is neutral, and anything higher is basic.
Knowing this, is a pH of 4.9 acidic, basic or neutral? And how does having a bog at one end of Sutherland Pond affect its pH?
Aleck Meadow Reservoir: (man-made pond)
Carbon Dioxide: 6 ppm
Oxygen: 10 ppm
pH: 6.8
Phosphate: 0.55 mg/L
Are the dissolved oxygen levels in the ponds high or low? See paragraph one for a hint. Also, are there more oxygens in hot water or cold? In rapid moving water or in stagnant (not moving) water?
Do you notice any error is our testing methods?
If you have problems with the questions, say so and I'll help you out. In about a month, I post the answers even if no one asks for help or, in the worst case scenario, replies?
DASHA
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