Analysis

1.

What contaminants were found in the surface water samples? What contaminants
were found in the groundwater samples? There were a lot of bacteria found in the
surface water but not in the groundwater. But the groundwater had more metals
than the surface water

2.

Why might groundwater and surface water have different contaminants? Surface
water is exposed to pollution while ground water just sits in a aquifers

3. Generally, farmers do not farm on the sides of mountains or in remote areas.

Industries also do not build factories in these areas. These areas are usually not
highly populated by people. What might explain the high nitrate level in the
mountain water in this activity? Since no one is disturbing the animals by building
farms, houses and or industries the animals are free to pee and poop wherever they
please which some runs into the water causing the nitrate spike.

4. What is pH level, what are its characteristics, and how does it contribute to
pollution? What chemicals are used in treating low pH levels? pH measures how
much acid there is. The smaller the number the more acid it has. High pH and Low
pH can multiply contaminate impact on the environment. To treat acid we use sodium
hydroxide to raise the pH level.

Critical Thinking-Please read this carefully!

Water in an old building tested recently, showed high copper and iron content, and
low pH levels. A water reading taken 20 years before, showed low pH levels and
only minimal traces of copper and iron. If none of the new buildings on the same
street showed signs of metallic contaminants, but all reported lower than normal pH
readings, how might these readings be explained?
As the old building rusted away the metals got into the water. Since the new building are
new they arent rusting away but there must be a factory nearby causing the low ph
reading (acid rain).

Sample

Acidity
(pH)

Metals
(mg/L)

Coliform
Bacteria
(ml)
0

Pesticides/Herbicides
(mg/L)

Nitrates

Safe
Range
City

6.5-8.5
4

Less
than 1.3
.0006

Lake

Mountain

Type of
Contamination

Treatment
Performed

Less than .04

13

.00001

Less
than 10
.8

Acid
Bacteria

Sodium
hydroxide
Chlorine

.6

33

.0008

.6

Bacteria

Chlorine

6.8

.006

.0001

12.4

Nitrate

Activated
carbon

Rural

.0027

.08

6.7

Well

8.2

1.44

.0004

.6

Metal

Chlorine
followed by zinc
orthophosphatef