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Molique Reese Mrs. Melissa Reiger Enviromental Science 28 September 2007

Reese 2 Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to test for signs of pollution in the Miami River. The main components to be tested were Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). Introduction: Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen found in water. The DO is measured in parts per million (ppm). Oxygen levels of 3 ppm or lower are stressful to aquatic organisms. DO levels below 1 or 2 ppm will not support fish. DO levels of 5 to 6 ppm are required to support aquatic life. BOD levels between 1 and 2 mg/L are good for aquatic life. Phosphate levels of 0.03 ppm are healthy for aquatic life. Chlorine is not naturally found in water at any considerable levels. Chlorine is usually maintained under 0.75 ppm. Large amounts of chlorine in river, lakes, and ponds, and streams are harmful to aquatic life. Materials: Identification keys Collection jars Water collecting pole Bowls Nets Dissolved oxygen probe pH probe Water sampling kit Pipette Magnifying glass Forceps Boots Life jackets Seine Graduated cylinders

Reese 3 Procedures: Dissolved Oxygen Probe 1. The probe was connected to the monitor. 2. The power button was pressed. 3. The probe was calibrated by adjusting the atmospheric pressure and salinity. 4. The probe was removed from the bottle and sponge. 5. The probe was dipped in water until the silver casing was touching the river water. 6. The probe was gently swirled until the DO stabilized. 7. Steps 5-7 were repeated and all results were documented. pH Probe 1. The probe was attached to monitor. 2. The monitor was turned on. 3. The probe was calibrated by using pH 7 and pH 4 solution. The probe was rinsed off in between solutions. 4. The probe was gently placed in water approximately 3 inches deep. 5. The probe was swirled in water until the pH reading stabilized. 6. Data was recorded in three trials. B.O.D. probe 1. The dissovled oxygen probe was used to measure the dissolved oxygen levels.

Reese 4 2. The sample was collected by placing the bottle under the water so no air bubbles could be trapped in the bottle. 3. The bottle was wrapped in aluminum foil so no light could get into the bottle. 4. After five days the dissolved oxygen level was measured. 5. The difference between oxygen levels on Day 1 and Day 5 was calculated. Results: The results were calculated for nitrogen, phosphorous, chlorine, DO, pH, BOD, and temperature. For nitrogen there were no results because the tablets had expired. For phosphorous the average level was 4 ppm. The chlorine level was 0.3 ppm.Dissolved oxygen was calculated in three trials with the average of 171.40%. pH was also calculated in three trials with the average of 8.96. The temperature for the day was 21.4C. While searching the water with the seine for macroinvertebrates the following was found: left-handed snails, a crawfish, minnows, and unidentified organisms. After all the calculations of Q-values, the overall percentage was 45.25% which meant that the Miami River had a rating of bad. Data Table:
Trial 1 Nitrogen Phosphorous Chlorine no results 4 0-1ppm Trial 2 no results 4 0ppm Trial 3 no results 4 0-1ppm Average no results 4ppm .3ppm

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Dissolved Oxygen pH B.O.D. Temperature

168.00% 8.95 3.4 mg/L 21.4 C

174.10% 8.97

172.20% 8.97

171.40% 8.96 3.4 mg/L 21.4 C

Calculations:
Test Results (Average) 4 ppm 15.3 mg/L 8.96 3.4 mg/L Total 23.96/0.53=45.2% Q-Value 16 50 48 62 Weighting Factor 0.11 0.18 0.12 0.12 0.53 Calculation 1.76 9 5.76 7.44 23.96

Phosphorous Dissolved Oxygen pH BOD

Conclusion: The experiment of testing the waters at The Miami River had a surprising outcome. For phosphorous 4 ppm meant that the water had increased plant growth. The dissolved oxygen level was 15.3 mg/L which the water that which is not good for plant and aquatic growth. The next test was pH which was 8.96 meant that it is a little over the optimal level for aquatic life. BOD was the last test which measured 3.4 mg/L,meaning the water is fairly clean with some organic waste. The overall water value was 45.2% meaning that the water was not healthy for aquatic life. After the whole process was over finding out the pollution level of our Miami River was very helpful. It allowed us to see how much work it takes to find out the pollution level of a river. Some recommendations that would fix the problem of bad % is to stop some

Reese 6 of the thermal pollution. Also some ways to help the persentage of the water go down would be lower DO levels and lower BOD levels.

Works Cited Miami Conservancy District. Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual. The Miami Conservancy District, 2004. Williams, Robert. Rivers Curriculum Guide: Biology. Parsippany, NJ: Dave Seymour Publications, 1998.

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