Introduction:
Within this task we were required to determine the ecological state of the Reddam House wetland, which I presume is at a good standard.
I decided to test the ecological status of the wetland by gathering samples from the wetland and testing it for various aspects in the water and the plants that are found within the area.
Method:
• Collected water in a sterilized bottle at Reddam House wetland as well as observed surrounding fauna and flora.
• Took the water to Rand Water to have it tested as well as took photos of the vegetation surrounding the wetland.
• Tested conductivity of the sample using the following apparatus: Conductivity meter, two beakers, distilled water, paper towels and my water sample.
• Switched on the conductivity meter. • Selected the conductivity mode by pressing the “M” button. • I put the machine into the beaker with the sample and the value that appeared was the one I recorded. • Removed the conductivity meter and rinsed it with distilled water and wiped dry. • Tested the turbidity using the following apparatus: laboratory’s turbidity meter, water samples, calibration standards, turbidity sample cells, paper towels and distilled water. • I switched on the measuring instrument and waited 30 minutes for it to warm up. • I poured 20ml of my sample water into the cell then inserted the cell into the machines cell shaft and recorded the results displayed in NTU. • Tested pH using the following apparatus: laboratory’s pH metre, calibration standards, distilled water, two beakers, paper towels and my water sample. • I immerged the electrode into the sample. • I pressed the “M “button till pH was shown. I recorded the results shown. • Removed the electrode from the sample, rinsed it and wiped it. • Tested for phosphates using the following apparatus: a 25ml sample cup with cap, a bottle of A-8500 activator solution, CHEMets ampoules and a low and a high range comparator. • Fill the sample cup with 25ml with the sample water the add 2 drops of A-8500 Activator Solution. • Place the CHEMets in the sample cap and snap the tip off. Mix the solution then wait 2 minutes for colour development. • Place the compactor in and see the colour and record the results. Results I tested the conductivity of the sample which is an electrical measurement of the amount of dissolved solids within the solution. This measurement is represented in milli-Siemens per metre (mS/m) using the laboratory’s conductivity meter. After testing the sample of water the result was 13.12 mS/m thus showing there is not such a high concentration of ions present in the water. I tested the turbidity of the water sample. Turbidity is the cloudiness or muddiness of the water and is measured in NTU (nephelometric turbidity units). This appearance is shown due to the suspension of soil and algae. Bacteria tend to stick to these suspended particles as well as these particles block sunlight from reaching plants at the riverbed, they can become trapped in gills of aquatic animals and disturb the ecosystems by making it harder for them to find prey. The result found in my sample was 3.73 NTU. Testing the pH of the water has to do with the acidity or alkalinity of …show more content…
With this high concentration of ions animals and plants that live in the water or that are irrigated with this water will suffer and die as the water is polluted by a high ion concentrations. With a conductivity test results of 13.12 mS/m we can say that water is expected to have no health or aesthetic effects such as odour or taste. Possible recommendations could be to ensure less or no fertilizers or industrial waste is able to infiltrate the river.
Due to the suspension of particles in the river bacteria is prone to stick to these particles. With much suspension the plants on the riverbed will not grow as a result of no sunlight as well as upsetting the aquatic animal diversity by making it harder for predators to find prey. With a result of 3.73 we can say that there is no turbidity visible but there is a slight chance of infectious disease transmission as well as possible odour or taste of the water. Possible recommendations could be to ensure less or no industrial waste or sewerage is able to infiltrate the water was this could increase make it more
Within this task we were required to determine the ecological state of the Reddam House wetland, which I presume is at a good standard.
I decided to test the ecological status of the wetland by gathering samples from the wetland and testing it for various aspects in the water and the plants that are found within the area.
Method:
• Collected water in a sterilized bottle at Reddam House wetland as well as observed surrounding fauna and flora.
• Took the water to Rand Water to have it tested as well as took photos of the vegetation surrounding the wetland.
• Tested conductivity of the sample using the following apparatus: Conductivity meter, two beakers, distilled water, paper towels and my water sample.
• Switched on the conductivity meter. • Selected the conductivity mode by pressing the “M” button. • I put the machine into the beaker with the sample and the value that appeared was the one I recorded. • Removed the conductivity meter and rinsed it with distilled water and wiped dry. • Tested the turbidity using the following apparatus: laboratory’s turbidity meter, water samples, calibration standards, turbidity sample cells, paper towels and distilled water. • I switched on the measuring instrument and waited 30 minutes for it to warm up. • I poured 20ml of my sample water into the cell then inserted the cell into the machines cell shaft and recorded the results displayed in NTU. • Tested pH using the following apparatus: laboratory’s pH metre, calibration standards, distilled water, two beakers, paper towels and my water sample. • I immerged the electrode into the sample. • I pressed the “M “button till pH was shown. I recorded the results shown. • Removed the electrode from the sample, rinsed it and wiped it. • Tested for phosphates using the following apparatus: a 25ml sample cup with cap, a bottle of A-8500 activator solution, CHEMets ampoules and a low and a high range comparator. • Fill the sample cup with 25ml with the sample water the add 2 drops of A-8500 Activator Solution. • Place the CHEMets in the sample cap and snap the tip off. Mix the solution then wait 2 minutes for colour development. • Place the compactor in and see the colour and record the results. Results I tested the conductivity of the sample which is an electrical measurement of the amount of dissolved solids within the solution. This measurement is represented in milli-Siemens per metre (mS/m) using the laboratory’s conductivity meter. After testing the sample of water the result was 13.12 mS/m thus showing there is not such a high concentration of ions present in the water. I tested the turbidity of the water sample. Turbidity is the cloudiness or muddiness of the water and is measured in NTU (nephelometric turbidity units). This appearance is shown due to the suspension of soil and algae. Bacteria tend to stick to these suspended particles as well as these particles block sunlight from reaching plants at the riverbed, they can become trapped in gills of aquatic animals and disturb the ecosystems by making it harder for them to find prey. The result found in my sample was 3.73 NTU. Testing the pH of the water has to do with the acidity or alkalinity of …show more content…
With this high concentration of ions animals and plants that live in the water or that are irrigated with this water will suffer and die as the water is polluted by a high ion concentrations. With a conductivity test results of 13.12 mS/m we can say that water is expected to have no health or aesthetic effects such as odour or taste. Possible recommendations could be to ensure less or no fertilizers or industrial waste is able to infiltrate the river.
Due to the suspension of particles in the river bacteria is prone to stick to these particles. With much suspension the plants on the riverbed will not grow as a result of no sunlight as well as upsetting the aquatic animal diversity by making it harder for predators to find prey. With a result of 3.73 we can say that there is no turbidity visible but there is a slight chance of infectious disease transmission as well as possible odour or taste of the water. Possible recommendations could be to ensure less or no industrial waste or sewerage is able to infiltrate the water was this could increase make it more