What Students will be testing at the site: TEMPEATURE
The distribution and abundance of aquatic plants na danimals change as the temperature varies. Changes in temperature will alter the amount of oxygne dissolved in the water. it will also affect the rate of photosynthesis by algae and other plants. increade in water temperature will cause an increse in the meabolic rates on organsms in the water. Collection of this data requires using the thermometer to determing the temperature of the sample of water. PHOSPHATE
Phosphorus, which is essential for all living organisms, occurs naturally in water at low levels. Phosphorus enters water bodies and streams from a number of natural source and levels depent of the local soil type, geology and seasonal conditions. Phosphate stimilates the growth of plankton and aquatic plants while also providing foor for some aquatic macro-invertebrates and fish however large amounts of phosphrous can lead to environmental problems such as blue green algae blooms which are toxic and can endanger aquatic life as well as humand and livestock. Use of the Visicolor phospate kit is required for this part of the field work and the procedure is outlined int he water watch handbook. AMMONIA
Concentration of ammonia are generally very low in most water systems, however levels can rise with the introduction of organic pollutants. Ammonia stimulates plant and bacteria growth and can be highly toxic.When using the Visicolor ammonia kit to complete this test it is impotant to note that all chemical and test samples produced from this test must be stored in a waste container bottle and not allowed to be released back into the water system DISSOLVED OXYGEN
The concentration of dissolved osygen in the water is an indication of the health of the ecosystem. dissolved oxygen is essential for fish, aquatic animals, micro-organims and plants and it is affected by light and temperature. To test for dissolved oxygen use the Visicolr D.O test kit and calculate the percentage of saturation using the saturation table locatd in th manual. SALINITY
Salts enter water systems through run off from rocks and soils of a catchment and the geology of a catchment usually determines salinity levels however some human activities also affect salt levels. To test salinity levels using the EC tster it must first be calibraed folowing the procedures in the water watch manual. PH
To measure how acidic or alkaline water within a water system the pH isrequired. Human ctiities such as stormwater, industrian and agricultural runoff can severly effect the pH of a water sytem. A pH tester is required to carryout this range of testing however is must also be calibrated in accordance with the water watch training manal. TURBIDITY
Turbidity is the cloudiess of the water, this is effected by the amount of suspende material present in the water. Thee moresusend solids n the wate the less ability lght has to penitrate into the water. Commom causes of turbidity are algae and inorganic matter from soil weathering and erosion, and stormwater. The conductivity tube is requiredfor this test.
Collecting the sample
The samples collected should be representative of the water body tested, this means samples should:
Attampt to be taken from the middle of the steam (halfway between the sides and halway between the surface and the bottow. If the water is deep samples should be taken at a depth of around 20cm below the surface of the water)
All sample bottles and buckets should be rinsed with sample water prior to collection of samples for testing
If collecting samples while standing in the stream the sample shoiuld be taken upstream of where you are standing to avoid disturbing the stream bed and releasing sediments.
Sample bottles should be filled completly to prevent any loss of dissolved oxygen.
Reccord sheet should be filled out after every collection of samples.
Safety considerations
Before the comencement of field work it is essential that a preliminary site visit is undertaken by the supervising teacher to identify any possible hazards and to ensure that the sampling sites chosen provide safe points of access.
Possible hazards associated with this field activity and prevention steps include:
Physical Hazards
Hazard
Preventative steps
Bites and stings
Appropriate clothing should be worn covering all arms and legs
Exposure to UV radiation
Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses should be worn at all times
Working in heat
All field work should be undertaken at times that avoid the hottest part of the day (between 1-3pm). Limit exposure time drinking water should be carried by, or provided for all students
Hypothermia
Ensure appropriate clothing is worn, ensure the temperature is appropriate
Water hazards
Wear waterproof and wind proof clothing, keep dry
Manual Handling
Ensure no persons are lifting or pushing equipment that is too heavy
Chemical Hazards
Hazard
Preventative steps
Chemical pollutants entering the water systems
Ensure all chemicals and solutions are added and water testing is completed at a distance to ensure no chemicals enter the system
Preserving samples
When preserving samples ensure all chemicals used do no re-enter the water system
What Students will be testing at the site:
TEMPEATURE
The distribution and abundance of aquatic plants na danimals change as the temperature varies. Changes in temperature will alter the amount of oxygne dissolved in the water. it will also affect the rate of photosynthesis by algae and other plants. increade in water temperature will cause an increse in the meabolic rates on organsms in the water. Collection of this data requires using the thermometer to determing the temperature of the sample of water.
PHOSPHATE
Phosphorus, which is essential for all living organisms, occurs naturally in water at low levels. Phosphorus enters water bodies and streams from a number of natural source and levels depent of the local soil type, geology and seasonal conditions. Phosphate stimilates the growth of plankton and aquatic plants while also providing foor for some aquatic macro-invertebrates and fish however large amounts of phosphrous can lead to environmental problems such as blue green algae blooms which are toxic and can endanger aquatic life as well as humand and livestock. Use of the Visicolor phospate kit is required for this part of the field work and the procedure is outlined int he water watch handbook.
AMMONIA
Concentration of ammonia are generally very low in most water systems, however levels can rise with the introduction of organic pollutants. Ammonia stimulates plant and bacteria growth and can be highly toxic.When using the Visicolor ammonia kit to complete this test it is impotant to note that all chemical and test samples produced from this test must be stored in a waste container bottle and not allowed to be released back into the water system
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
The concentration of dissolved osygen in the water is an indication of the health of the ecosystem. dissolved oxygen is essential for fish, aquatic animals, micro-organims and plants and it is affected by light and temperature. To test for dissolved oxygen use the Visicolr D.O test kit and calculate the percentage of saturation using the saturation table locatd in th manual.
SALINITY
Salts enter water systems through run off from rocks and soils of a catchment and the geology of a catchment usually determines salinity levels however some human activities also affect salt levels. To test salinity levels using the EC tster it must first be calibraed folowing the procedures in the water watch manual.
PH
To measure how acidic or alkaline water within a water system the pH isrequired. Human ctiities such as stormwater, industrian and agricultural runoff can severly effect the pH of a water sytem. A pH tester is required to carryout this range of testing however is must also be calibrated in accordance with the water watch training manal.
TURBIDITY
Turbidity is the cloudiess of the water, this is effected by the amount of suspende material present in the water. Thee moresusend solids n the wate the less ability lght has to penitrate into the water. Commom causes of turbidity are algae and inorganic matter from soil weathering and erosion, and stormwater. The conductivity tube is requiredfor this test.
Collecting the sample
The samples collected should be representative of the water body tested, this means samples should:
Safety considerations
Before the comencement of field work it is essential that a preliminary site visit is undertaken by the supervising teacher to identify any possible hazards and to ensure that the sampling sites chosen provide safe points of access.
Possible hazards associated with this field activity and prevention steps include:
Physical Hazards