Green Peace USA. September 28, 2010. http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
Clean Water Action. September 27, 2010. http://www.cleanwateraction.org/njef/
Clean Ocean Action. September 28, 2010.http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/
Rutgers Media Relations. September 29, 2010. http://news.rutgers.edu/medrel/news-releases/2008/08/rutgers-enrolls-larg-20080829
Mongabay.com September 29, 2010. http://population.mongabay.com/population/united-states/4307616/sandy-hook
Metuchen, New Jersey Population & Demographics. September 29, 2010. http://www.metuchenchamber.com/brochure/page3.php
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Conservation/Action Plan
To ensure that the environment remains healthy and stable it is important to be conscious of our waste. Reducing, reusing, and recycling everyday can help improve the health of ecosystems around us. By conserving energy and resources we can help protect the strain that environments feel to meet human needs.
How Organizations Utilize this Type of Information
Many organizations use information such as dissolved oxygen levels and primary, net, and gross productivity to help them make informed decisions. Companies must ensure that their activities are not harming the environment to such a degree that communities are dying. Organizations such as Green Peace, Clean Water Action, Living Ocean, and many more and working hard to ensure that the environment will not be killed by human impact. In particular, companies that work with water resources have to be very concerned with the quality of water. Poland Springs, for example, must do their best to sell water that is not contaminated to their customers. Local companies dealing with tap water must also ensure that water is clean. In addition to this companies that sell fish or any other type of food that lives or grows in aquatic environments must also pay careful attention to the health of an ecosystem. Without proper information, informed decisions will not be possible and through this the puplic may suffer. For example, if we were to drink water that came from unhealthy sources we may become sick. And if stores depend on a certain area to harvest fish, they must be concerned with whether or not an environment will be able to continue to support a species. For these reasons, whether we are aware of it or not, the health of aquatic communities affects all of us.
Hypothesized Outcomes
Pond: Due to the area surrounding the pond we thought it was likely that the oxygen levels would be somewhat low. Due to how urban the area of Metuchen is we thought that pollution from highways and traffic would deplete the oxygen level. In addition due to the fact that there is usually not much turbulance in ponds we expected the oxygen levels to be even lower.
Canal: Although the canal water was collected from a busy area we believe that due to the turbulance of the waters the oxygen level would be healthy.
Ocean: We expected there to be very high and healthy levels of dissolved oxygen in the ocean water collected because of the winds and turbulance that affects ocean waters. Various currents and storms are constantly mixing ocean water. In addition to this wind blows across the ocean without any buildings in the way, so this also added to our expectation that oxygen levels would be very health.
Canal: Although the canal water was collected from a busy area we believe that due to the turbulance of the waters the oxygen level would be healthy.
Ocean: We expected there to be very high and healthy levels of dissolved oxygen in the ocean water collected because of the winds and turbulance that affects ocean waters. Various currents and storms are constantly mixing ocean water. In addition to this wind blows across the ocean without any buildings in the way, so this also added to our expectation that oxygen levels would be very health.
Background Info
Oxygen is necessary for all living creatures whether aquatic or terrestrial. It is essential for respiration as well as photosynthesis, however it is crucial that a stable level is maintained due to the fact that very high or low concentrations can be fatal. Due to the fact that water cannot hold as much oxygen as the air it is extremely important that an aquatic environment have a healthy level of dissolved oxygen in order to maintain life. With increases in temperature the ability of water to hold oxygen decreases, so aquatic environments must also rely on wind and turbulence to mix oxygen into the water. Without these forces oxygen depletion can be fatal.
The Primary Productivity of an aquatic ecosystem is measured by the energy that is both used and stored by plants. The total amount of photosynthesis that occurs is referred to as gross primary productivity. Plant respiration, however, is equally important because it provides free energy that is used for production, maintenance, and reproduction. Net Primary Productivity, or plant growth, refers to the energy that is left after respiration and storage.
The objective of this lab was to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration of various water samples as well as calculate gross productivity, primary productivity, and net productivity of each sample. Through various experimental setups the effects of biological factors such as light were also recorded and measured in relation to their affect of the solubility of gases in an aquatic environment. In order to ensure that the levels remained relatively protected is was important to cap the bottles as soon as a sample was taken or after chemicals were added to it.
To determine the dissolved oxygen levels the water samples were collected in small sampling bottles and capped underwater to ensure that oxygen from the air was not affecting the samples. The temperature was measured and then eight drops of manganous sulfate was added, followed by eight drops alkaline iodide. After this the sample was inverted several times, allowing it to mix. Once the precipitate had settled acid was added and the sample was inverted again several times, turning the sample a clear yellow. This indicated the formation of free iodine. Next 20 ml of the sample was measured out and eight drops of starch indicator was added to the 20 ml sample. This changed the sample to purple. Next sodium thiosulfate was titrated into the sample, one drop at a time until the sample turned clear. At this point the free iodine had been converted into sodium iodide. To determine the dissolved oxygen concentration we observed how much sodium thiosulfate had been used to convert the free iodine.
The Primary Productivity was measured in various samples by reducing the levels of natural light to 65%, 25%, 10% or 2% from 100%. They were then left overnight and the next morning the dissolved oxygen concentration was measured by repeating the experimental steps used in part A. Through that the Gross Primary Productivity, Net Primary Productivity, and Respiration rates were calculated. The Gross Productivity levels were then converted to determine the levels of carbon productivity. Using a nomograph the percent saturation was measured, using water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.
Through each of these measurements we were able to determine the health of each sample of water taken from an aquatic ecosystem. Because the health of the ecosystems relies on dissolved oxygen it was important to document the levels. Through the measurements of primary, net, and gross productivity we were able to determine how and ecosystem was functioning, or if there was simply not enough dissolved oxygen to support the life within the samples.
The Primary Productivity of an aquatic ecosystem is measured by the energy that is both used and stored by plants. The total amount of photosynthesis that occurs is referred to as gross primary productivity. Plant respiration, however, is equally important because it provides free energy that is used for production, maintenance, and reproduction. Net Primary Productivity, or plant growth, refers to the energy that is left after respiration and storage.
The objective of this lab was to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration of various water samples as well as calculate gross productivity, primary productivity, and net productivity of each sample. Through various experimental setups the effects of biological factors such as light were also recorded and measured in relation to their affect of the solubility of gases in an aquatic environment. In order to ensure that the levels remained relatively protected is was important to cap the bottles as soon as a sample was taken or after chemicals were added to it.
To determine the dissolved oxygen levels the water samples were collected in small sampling bottles and capped underwater to ensure that oxygen from the air was not affecting the samples. The temperature was measured and then eight drops of manganous sulfate was added, followed by eight drops alkaline iodide. After this the sample was inverted several times, allowing it to mix. Once the precipitate had settled acid was added and the sample was inverted again several times, turning the sample a clear yellow. This indicated the formation of free iodine. Next 20 ml of the sample was measured out and eight drops of starch indicator was added to the 20 ml sample. This changed the sample to purple. Next sodium thiosulfate was titrated into the sample, one drop at a time until the sample turned clear. At this point the free iodine had been converted into sodium iodide. To determine the dissolved oxygen concentration we observed how much sodium thiosulfate had been used to convert the free iodine.
The Primary Productivity was measured in various samples by reducing the levels of natural light to 65%, 25%, 10% or 2% from 100%. They were then left overnight and the next morning the dissolved oxygen concentration was measured by repeating the experimental steps used in part A. Through that the Gross Primary Productivity, Net Primary Productivity, and Respiration rates were calculated. The Gross Productivity levels were then converted to determine the levels of carbon productivity. Using a nomograph the percent saturation was measured, using water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.
Through each of these measurements we were able to determine the health of each sample of water taken from an aquatic ecosystem. Because the health of the ecosystems relies on dissolved oxygen it was important to document the levels. Through the measurements of primary, net, and gross productivity we were able to determine how and ecosystem was functioning, or if there was simply not enough dissolved oxygen to support the life within the samples.
Data Analysis and Conclusions
Part A
In general, the warmer the water, no matter if it is beach or canal, the more dissolved oxygen present and the higher the percent saturation, too.
Even though this is the case the beach water still seemed to be colder than the canal water, whether it was iced or not. This can be seen through the average temperatures for the different samples. The average temperature of the beach water was 16.08 degrees Celsius, substantially colder than the average temperature of the canal water, which was 17.53 degrees Celsius.
Part B
In both the beach water samples and the canal water samples, the majority of data showed that as the percentage of light allowed into the sample decreased, so did the amount of dissolved oxygen available in the sample. For the beach water as the availability of light decreased, so did the gross productivity, net productivity and carbon gross productivity. However, for the canal water, as the light availability decreased, the gross productivity, net productivity and carbon gross productivity increased for the most part.
The reason for some of the variation in the data could have been the difference in water samples and timing. Each group was using a different water sample and moving along at their own pace. This could contribute to differences in data because not all individual samples are exactly the same. For instance, in Part B the difference between the 5 screens canal water and the 8 screens canal water was one full mg/L, which is a huge difference, especially when the dissolved oxygen content should decrease, not increase. However, this could have happened because the 8 screen sample had low biodiversity. Normally, the more organisms present the more oxygen and the fewer organisms present the less oxygen is produced. However, because the sunlight was limited, in this case low biodiversity would contribute to higher dissolved oxygen levels because there is not enough sunlight for photosynthesis to be performed. Therefore, the lower the biodiversity of the water sample, the less competition for carbon to perform photosynthesis, and the less the death rate of the organisms will be, so the ones present can actually survive to produce oxygen. This means that organism count plays a huge role in dissolved oxygen levels and the outcome of these levels depends on factors such as sunlight levels.
Our collected data can help determine whether an ecosystem is doing well ot has the potential to do well. From our data we discovered that sunlight, temperature, salinity and biodiversity play a huge role in determining the dissolved oxygen levels of certain waters. Based on Part B, the more readily available sunlight is to the ecosystem, the more photosynthesis can occur and the more oxygen is produced. As seen in Part A, the groups with higher temperatures generally has a lower dissolved oxygen content. In both experiments, the beach water seemed to have a lower dissolved oxygen content then the canal water. This is because the higher the salt content of the water, the lower the dissolved oxygen levels will be. Discussed previously, higher biodiversity normally causes higher photosynthesis production, which makes dissolved oxygen levels rise. Therefore, an ecosystem with high sunlight levels, high temperatures, low salinity and high biodiversity will be the most productive ecosystem and will ultimately survive the best.
These factors can assist scientists in determining whether an ecosystem is doing well or can potentially do well in the future. This is extremely important in real life because the survival of one ecosystem has many implications for various groups and people. For example, government agencies would not want to invest any money into an ecosystem that does not possess the potential to thrive. They can use our data to test the ecosystem waters to determine whether or not they should either invest in its protection or not. Land developers can also find our data helpful because they would not want to build on top of a perfectly productive ecosystem. By testing the water for average temperature, sunlight levels, salt content and biodiversity, they can learn whether or not they would be destroying an important ecosystem or not by building on top of it. Hopefully, they will decide not to build on top of a healthy and productive ecosystem.
In general, the warmer the water, no matter if it is beach or canal, the more dissolved oxygen present and the higher the percent saturation, too.
Even though this is the case the beach water still seemed to be colder than the canal water, whether it was iced or not. This can be seen through the average temperatures for the different samples. The average temperature of the beach water was 16.08 degrees Celsius, substantially colder than the average temperature of the canal water, which was 17.53 degrees Celsius.
Part B
In both the beach water samples and the canal water samples, the majority of data showed that as the percentage of light allowed into the sample decreased, so did the amount of dissolved oxygen available in the sample. For the beach water as the availability of light decreased, so did the gross productivity, net productivity and carbon gross productivity. However, for the canal water, as the light availability decreased, the gross productivity, net productivity and carbon gross productivity increased for the most part.
The reason for some of the variation in the data could have been the difference in water samples and timing. Each group was using a different water sample and moving along at their own pace. This could contribute to differences in data because not all individual samples are exactly the same. For instance, in Part B the difference between the 5 screens canal water and the 8 screens canal water was one full mg/L, which is a huge difference, especially when the dissolved oxygen content should decrease, not increase. However, this could have happened because the 8 screen sample had low biodiversity. Normally, the more organisms present the more oxygen and the fewer organisms present the less oxygen is produced. However, because the sunlight was limited, in this case low biodiversity would contribute to higher dissolved oxygen levels because there is not enough sunlight for photosynthesis to be performed. Therefore, the lower the biodiversity of the water sample, the less competition for carbon to perform photosynthesis, and the less the death rate of the organisms will be, so the ones present can actually survive to produce oxygen. This means that organism count plays a huge role in dissolved oxygen levels and the outcome of these levels depends on factors such as sunlight levels.
Our collected data can help determine whether an ecosystem is doing well ot has the potential to do well. From our data we discovered that sunlight, temperature, salinity and biodiversity play a huge role in determining the dissolved oxygen levels of certain waters. Based on Part B, the more readily available sunlight is to the ecosystem, the more photosynthesis can occur and the more oxygen is produced. As seen in Part A, the groups with higher temperatures generally has a lower dissolved oxygen content. In both experiments, the beach water seemed to have a lower dissolved oxygen content then the canal water. This is because the higher the salt content of the water, the lower the dissolved oxygen levels will be. Discussed previously, higher biodiversity normally causes higher photosynthesis production, which makes dissolved oxygen levels rise. Therefore, an ecosystem with high sunlight levels, high temperatures, low salinity and high biodiversity will be the most productive ecosystem and will ultimately survive the best.
These factors can assist scientists in determining whether an ecosystem is doing well or can potentially do well in the future. This is extremely important in real life because the survival of one ecosystem has many implications for various groups and people. For example, government agencies would not want to invest any money into an ecosystem that does not possess the potential to thrive. They can use our data to test the ecosystem waters to determine whether or not they should either invest in its protection or not. Land developers can also find our data helpful because they would not want to build on top of a perfectly productive ecosystem. By testing the water for average temperature, sunlight levels, salt content and biodiversity, they can learn whether or not they would be destroying an important ecosystem or not by building on top of it. Hopefully, they will decide not to build on top of a healthy and productive ecosystem.
Winkler Method vs. Vernier Method
The Winkler method and the Vernier method both were used to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen our water samples. Both methods also yielded similar results. For example, when using the Winkler method, two groups’ dissolved oxygen levels were 0.4 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L when the water sample temperature was 22 degrees Celsius. Using the Vernier method we also discovered that the dissolved oxygen content was 0.7 mg/L when the temperature was 22 degrees Celsius. Both of these levels are very similar to each other as well as to the ideal data, which had a dissolved oxygen level of 6.3 mg/L when the temperature was 20 degrees Celsius. These results are pretty close to the results we obtained using the Winkler and the Vernier methods.
The Winkler method involves a methodical process involving many chemicals. First you must collect your water sample in a bottle and be careful to make sure that as little as possible outside oxygen enters it. Then you add eight drops of manganous sulfate to the bottle, then add eight drops of alkaline iodide to the sample. Then you carefully cap the bottle and invert it several times. When finished, set it down on the table and wait until the precipitate settles to below the shoulder of the bottle. Then your instructor has to add the sulfamic acid and you must close the bottle again and invert it several times. Then add eight drops of starch indicator to the bottle. Measure out 20 ml of the solution into a titration vile and cap it. Fill a titration syringe with thiosulfate and begin the titration process. This titration requires a fair amount of time and patience because you must go one drop at a time.
The Vernier method is much simpler than the Winkler method. You just get the desired probe, clean it with distilled water, connect it to the Vernier device, and stick the probe in your beaker filled water sample. Then you just wait for the reading to be produced by the Vernier device.
The Winkler method involves a methodical process involving many chemicals. First you must collect your water sample in a bottle and be careful to make sure that as little as possible outside oxygen enters it. Then you add eight drops of manganous sulfate to the bottle, then add eight drops of alkaline iodide to the sample. Then you carefully cap the bottle and invert it several times. When finished, set it down on the table and wait until the precipitate settles to below the shoulder of the bottle. Then your instructor has to add the sulfamic acid and you must close the bottle again and invert it several times. Then add eight drops of starch indicator to the bottle. Measure out 20 ml of the solution into a titration vile and cap it. Fill a titration syringe with thiosulfate and begin the titration process. This titration requires a fair amount of time and patience because you must go one drop at a time.
The Vernier method is much simpler than the Winkler method. You just get the desired probe, clean it with distilled water, connect it to the Vernier device, and stick the probe in your beaker filled water sample. Then you just wait for the reading to be produced by the Vernier device.
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