Discussion

Discussion:

I don't think my results were very good, or very acurate at all. I don't think the water was as basic as I found, nor do I think the soil was actually that acidic. In regard to the suspended and dissolved solids experiment, it seems highly suspicious that roughly half of my sample was solid (229 grams out of 500). This means that my sample was 458,000 ppm (parts per million) solid. As a result, I do not think the water from my stream is fit for human consumption.

In regard to the abiotic factors that I observed, I think these were also poorly measured. It seems quite odd that the water temperature was -32 degrees celcius (which means that it was frozen), but at the same time it was travelling at 8m/s on a day which was quite hot (47 degrees celcius). Not to mention the fact that the wind speed I measured was hurricane forced winds according to the Beaufort Wind Force Scale (see information on the beaufort scale at wikipedia). Not to mention the creek was 18 metres deep.

I would rather expect different values for most of my results if I were to retest this freshwater creek.

Activity 1.7 - Water Solids Analysis

Analysing the samples in class:

Experiment 1 - testing the acidity of the soil and water samples.

Aim:
To test the pH of the soil and water samples collected.

Materials:

• two test tubes with stoppers
• distilled water
• universal indicator
• pH colour chart
• water and soil samples

Method:

1. The water sample was placed in one of the test tubes, with the stopper in.
2. A sample of the soil was placed in the second test tube, and it was then filled with the distilled water. The stopper was placed on top, and both test tubes were then shaken gently.
3. After the soil had settled, five drops of universal indicator were added to each test tube.
4. The test tube was then held up to the pH colour chart to check the corresponding pH colour of the sample, and results recorded.

Results:
I found the sample of the water to be basic, with a pH of 10. The soil sample was acidic, with a pH of 4.


Experiment 2 - Calculating the amount of suspended and dissolved solids

Aim:
To calculate the amount of suspended and dissolved solids in the water sample.

Materials:

• 500mL of water sample
• filter paper
• 500 mL conical flask
• funnel
• bunsen burner
• tripod
• gauze
• heat mat
• digital scales
• boiling chips

Method:

1. The filter paper was folded according to this photo, overlapping the outer edges to form a cone shape.

2. The filter paper and conical flask (with boiling chips) were weighed, and results recorded.
3. The filter paper was placed in the funnel, which in turn was placed in the conical flask.

4. The water sample was filtered into the conical flask, so that the suspended solids were kept in the filter while the dissolved solids passed through.
5. The conical flask was brought to the boil using the bunsen burner, tripod and gauze. The boiling process was carried out until all excess water had been evaporated.
6. After it had cooled off, the conical flask was reweighed. The difference in mass was determined to be the weight of the dissolved solids.
7. The filter paper was left overnight to dehydrate, and was weighed the following day. The difference in mass was determined to be the weight of the suspended solids.

8. The results were recorded in the form of a table.

Results:

Activity 1.6 - Abiotic characteristics

Measuring the abiotic environment:

While at the creek, I took several measurements regarding the abiotic environment. These are the tests I performed, and the results that I found:

Test 1 - Speed of the water. I used a tape measure to estimate a 2 metre length of the river. I then dropped a large leaf at the starting point, and used a stopwatch to time how long it took to travel the 2m distance.

The time taken was 0.25 seconds - therefore, the speed of the river was calculated to be 8m/s, or 28.8km/h.

Test 2 - Water depth. I used my fishing rod with a sinker attached to the end of the fishing line, and marked it at 1 metre intervals. I then lowered the sinker until it hit the bottom, and counted how many black marks had submerged. I then estimated how much fishing line there was between the water and the next black mark, in order to determine how much of the last interval was under water. I found the depth of my tiny, local creek to be 18.6 metres.

 

Test 3 - Water turbidity - I tied a blank CD (NOT my mum's favourite musical CD) to the end of the fishing line, and lowered it into the water until it just reached the point where I could no longer see it. I calculated the turbidity to be 3cm.

Test 4 - Water temperature. I used a thermometer from home, held it under the water for 2 minutes, and recorded the temperature. The temperature of the water was -32 degrees celcius. I was also sure to wash the thermometer when I got home again!!!!!

Test 5 - Air temperature. I used the same thermometer and left it under the shade of a tree for another 2 minutes. I found the ambient temperature to be 47 degrees celsius.

Test 6 - Wind speed and direction. Using a compass, I found the direction of the wind. It was coming from the South-West. I held up a small handful of leaves and dropped them - using a stopwatch to time how long it took them to hit the ground, and using my tape measure to see how far they travelled in that time. The leaves travelled approximately 14 metres in 0.4 seconds, which is equal to 35m/s (or 126km/h).

Activity 1.5 - Mapping the location

Location, location, location....

I decided to base my investigation on The Ponds Creek, which is close to where I grew up in Ermington. The Ponds Creek is a tributary to Subiaco Creek, which in turn is a tributary to the Parramatta River. I travelled to Upjohn Park, in the suburb of Rydalmere, to take my samples. The following maps show where I went both in relation to where the river is located in regard to surrounding suburbs, as well as where along the point along the creek where my samples were taken:



A map from Google Maps showing where the creek is
in relation to surrounding suburbs and rivers



'X' marks the spot! This is the point along the
creek where I took my samples, and did my testing.


I also took some photos of where my samples were taken, so that later on I might be able to theorise on how the abiotic factors of the creek influence the presence of biotic organisms. I also drew a scale map in my log book of where I took the samples, including details of the shape of the river, as well as things like large trees and rocks which were around. The video below was taken on the day of testing:

Introduction

This is a sample blog that I have created, designed to give you some ideas about how to create your own blog for this investigation.

The results I will be using in this report are farcical – I would advise you NOT to pay attention to my facts and figures, but rather the process I have followed in creating this blog. If your results are similar to the results I post on my blog, I will know that you didn’t actually do the experiment because in most cases, they are completely implausible! Rather, I would like you to look at techniques I have used to present my information, and how I explain the processes I followed.

Ok, enough small talk – let’s get investigating!

Mr Jones.