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Environmental Science Presentation
Environmental Science Presentation
Presentation
Water Testing
by: Lawrence Khournso, Danny Zurita, Arron Reyes,
Wattana Laoharoj, Brian Bourque
Lower Arroyo
Water Sample 1
Data
pH:10.8
Temp (Celsius) :18.1
Salinity (ppt): 1.2
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 13.5
Nitrates (mg/l): 1.02
Phosphates (mg/l): 0.73
Flow Rate (m/s): .03125
Water Sample 2
Data
pH: 7.32
Temp (Celsius) : 17.3
Salinity (ppt): 1.7
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 3.89
Nitrates (mg/l): 0.85
Phosphates (mg/l): 0.79
Flow Rate (m/s): 0.0593
Water Sample 3
Data
pH: 8.3
Temp (Celsius) : 18
Salinity (ppt): 1.4
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 10.36
Nitrates (mg/l): 1.2
Phosphates (mg/l): 1.55
Flow Rate (m/s): 0.1481
Water Sample 1
Data
pH:8.30
Temp (Celsius) :18.6 C
Salinity (ppt): 32.0ppt
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 12.71ppm
Nitrates (mg/l):
Phosphates (mg/l): 19.4
Flow Rate (m/s): 4.51 sec/m
Water Sample 2
Data
pH: 8.38
Temp (Celsius) : 16.10 C
Salinity (ppt): 32.0ppt
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 12.4ppm
Nitrates (mg/l):
Phosphates (mg/l): 22.4
Flow Rate (m/s): 4.83 sec/m
Water Sample 3
Data
pH: 8.23
Temp (Celsius) :17.9 C
Salinity (ppt): 32ppt
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 12.4ppm
Nitrates (mg/l):
Phosphates (mg/l): 18.5
Flow Rate (m/s): 2.9 sec
LA River
Thick plantation
Wetlands setting
Moderate water flow (no stagnation)
Clean water
Moderately impacted by human pollution
Water Sample 1
Data
pH: 10.11
Temp (Celsius) : 21.3
Salinity (ppt): 10.72
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 13.2
Nitrates (mg/l): 1.78
Phosphates (mg/l): 15.2
Flow Rate (m/s): 0.125
Water Sample 2
Data
pH: 10.34
Temp (Celsius) : 19.9
Salinity (ppt): 11.2
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 13.74
Nitrates (mg/l): 1.8
Phosphates (mg/l): 16.9
Flow Rate (m/s): 0.1628
Water Sample 3
Data
pH: 10.42
Temp (Celsius) : 19.7
Salinity (ppt): 10.14
Dissolved Oxygen (%): 14.2
Nitrates (mg/l): 2.4
Phosphates (mg/l): 15.8
Flow Rate (m/s): 0.0857
Long Beach
Water Sample 1
Data
pH: 8.9
Temp (Celsius) : 19.4
Salinity (ppt): 28.1
Dissolved Oxygen (%): NA
Nitrates (mg/l): 0.68
Phosphates (mg/l): 5.5
Flow Rate (m/s): 7.55
Water Sample 2
Data
pH: 8.03
Temp (Celsius) : 18
Salinity (ppt): 31.6
Dissolved Oxygen (%): NA
Nitrates (mg/l): 0.51
Phosphates (mg/l): 10.2
Flow Rate (m/s): 7.68
Water Sample 3
Data
pH: 8.03
Temp (Celsius) : 18.3
Salinity (ppt): 34.1
Dissolved Oxygen (%): NA
Nitrates (mg/l): 0.77
Phosphates (mg/l): 4.1
Flow Rate (m/s): 11.35
Data Explanation
pH: A scale of 0-14 on how acidic or basic the water is, it measures the concentration of hydrogen.
U.S natural water should be between 6.5-8.5, optimum pH for rivers should be 7.4.
Very high pH makes it unable for life to be sustained, Low pH harms immature fish and insects.
Dissolved oxygen: Essential for survival of aquatic organisms, usually produced by aquatic plants
through photosynthesis, low flow rate and high turbidity lowers dissolved oxygen, bacteria that
decompose plants take up dissolved oxygen, too much dissolved oxygen is bad and usually is caused
by uncontrollable plant growth from eutrophication. Best dissolved oxygen would be 100% saturation
which is 9.03 mg/l at 20 degrees celsius on sea level.
Temperature: temperature relates to the metabolism of aquatic life, rate of photosynthesis in the
water,solubility of oxygen, and also sensitivity to diseases and toxins. The higher the temperature is
plants grow and die faster which takes up dissolved oxygen.
Nitrates
As decomposition of plants and animal occurs, dissolved oxygen levels decrease, this will
cause nitrate levels to increase. Normally, only small amounts of nitrates are found
naturally, but an increase in nitrate levels can come from man-made sources such as
septic systems, fertilizer runoff and improperly treated wastewater.
Nitrates in river water often ranges from 0.01-3.0 mg/L.
Phosphates
Phosphates are usually present in the environment in low concentrations, which limits plant
growth. High phosphate levels can come from man-made sources such as septic systems,
fertilizer runoff and improperly treated waste-water. An increase in nitrate levels may cause an
increase in phosphate levels.
A river should not exceed 0.1 mg/L phosphates. Phosphates exceeding these levels can be
very harmful. Optimal phosphate content of a watershed:
As phosphates increase, there will be an excess of plant growth and decomposition. Algal
bloom caused by high phosphate levels can choke out other plants and completely take over
the water. Animals use phosphorous to conduct metabolic reactions and to produce bone.
Plants use phosphorous in order to grow.