Sampling Location
Some sampling locations include ponds, rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, puddles, rain, fountains, sinks, hoses, lagoons, docks, marshes, waterfalls, etc. For our experiment, we collected data from docks, lagoons, harbors, lakes, ponds, and a fountain.
Project Summary
Essentially, this project is about taking water from different sources around the city of Chicago and comparing their chemical properties, dilution and coli form tests in order to determine their quality. Based off of their qualities, we want to take that information and be able to predict if a water source with a certain pH or phosphate level can only help to sustain certain organisms. Based off of this information, we can also try and find the reason as to why a water source has a high pH than all the others or why so much algae is growing.
We are trying to learn about all of the environmental aspects that can change a waters quality. We will be looking at the dissolved oxygen levels, phosphate, pH, nitrate, and ammonia. All of these chemical compounds are important towards maintaining organisms within an environment. There will also be a coliform test, which is testing the levels of feces within a water source, can also be used to help us determine the quality of a water source. We will also spread a sample of each water source in order to see the level of bacteria within the water.
Other people can contribute to this project by collecting and water source that they know of. There are many types of water chemistry tests out there that the average person can use in order to test their water. Being able to understand what makes water have good quality is essential in making sure that our waterways and drinking water is safe for not only us, but for other living organisms as well.
