Water Analysis Report-DOWSE
DOWSE has been monitoring water quality in South America by collecting samples and doing observational testing. Due to heavy agricultural activity in the area, DOWSE has been testing for pH and nitrates. These tests are performed with standard strips and chemical reagents. Below are the average testing results for the year. Complete the table by filling in the Acceptable Levels column. Be sure to include units of measure. When you’re done, complete the Written Explanation section.
| Control | Contaminated Site | Acceptable Levels | |
| Nitrates | 35 mg/l | 75 mg/l | 10 mg/l(nitrate – N) 45mg/l (nitrate) |
| pH | 7 units | 6 units | 6.5 to 8.5 units |
| Turbidity | 12 NTU | 40 NTU | <5 NTU |
| Water Color | Colorless | Brown | |
| Immediate Surroundings | Forest | Cattle raising and large farms;
some roads |
|
| Aquatic Life | Fish;
aquatic birds; small invertebrates |
Plants emerging from the water;
floating plants and fish; mosquito larvae |
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Written Explanation
With the main goal of developing a hypothesis, scientists in the region of South America conducted surveys where they collected answers to various questions from residents in the region. Some of these questions included the methods they used to farm and what they knew about water pollution, among others. Afterward, the scientists analyzed the survey results to create a hypothesis. Besides, another strategy that went into creating a hypothesis was analyzing general observations made by a team of experts on environmental pollution. Based on the survey and observations made, it was noted that water sources in the region are mostly surrounded by large agricultural lands. Notably, these farms also utilize numerous farming techniques known to cause water pollution. Livestock farming was also part of the activities in the region. Lastly, in such large farming regions, there have to be numerous roads for the many cars with different uses in the farms. Unfortunately, these roads are near the water sources, meaning that road runoff carrying all other kinds of polluting matter easily gets in the water.
All these pollutants in the water sources have a significant impact on the people living nearby as well as the surrounding environment. Clean water is one of the essential things, especially for humans and animals. Pollutants in the water mean that people and animals possibly consume toxic water. Polluted water from water sources used to water the farms can damage the soil, killing the plants and destroying the whole land, rendering it unprofitable (Hua & Marsuki, 2014). In addition, polluted water has dire consequences on the ecosystems in the water. Animals and plants living in water will most likely die due to pollution. Lastly, polluted water can cause other unforeseen damages like the growth of an evasive species or attract new species, like bacteria, which can be dangerous to the surrounding environment.
In order to define the water quality level, the scientists involved collected water samples from the water sources for analysis. Control samples were also initially collected to ensure the accuracy of results. The analysis was based on a few factors, as indicated in the result table above. Such factors include physical factors like the color of the water and chemicals indicated by the pH. Accordingly, the pH of the water was tested using a pH meter. Nitrate concentration was measured using a spectrophotometer, and so was the watercolor test. Lastly, a nephelometer was used to test the turbidity of the water.
Notably, 6.5 to 8.5 is the recommended pH level of water; however, water in this region had a pH of 6, meaning it was too acidic. The recommended level of water turgidity is below 5 NTU; however, the water turgidity in this region was 40 NTU. Lastly, the color of the water in this region was brown.
The results obtained after the analysis was conducted were in accordance with the hypothesis that the farms, both agricultural and livestock, and the roads led to pollution of the water bodies surrounding the region. Low water pH means that the water is acidic. This means that the acid will burn everything that the water touches. For example, the water might burn and damage the soil and even increase toxic elements in the soil. No living animal can live in acidic water; thus, animals in the water will die. Secondly, acidic water causes corrosion of water pipes, and the metal gets in the water, which causes metal poisoning once the water is consumed (Shams et al. 2019). Higher than normal turbidity is caused by organic materials, both dissolved and suspended in water. Farm waste products like dead plants, animal waste, chemicals, and road runoff, including plastics and lead, among others, become these organic materials causing turbidity. The brown color of the water suggests that the water source is light-limited. This is important because it indicates the pH level of the water, which in this case is acidic. Based on the data collected, I believe that DOWSE’S hypothesis is correct.
A possible solution for the water sources in the region would be to educate the farmers on the impact that their strategies have on the water (Karataş & Karataş, 2016). If these people were educated on how polluting water will destroy their farms, rendering them useless in the future, they would take active measures to protect the water sources. As mentioned earlier, farming activities and road runoff are the main causes of water quality degradation.
References
Hua, A. K., & Marsuki, M. Z. (2014). Public perception towards environmental awareness. Case study: Malacca River. International Journal of Academic Research in Environment and Geography, 1(2), 53-61.
Karataş, A., & Karataş, E. (2016). Environmental education as a solution tool for the prevention of water pollution. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 61-70.
Shams, D. F., Islam, S., Shi, B., Khan, W., Gunawardana, B., Saad, M., & Khan, G. S. (2019). Characteristics of pipe corrosion scales in untreated water distribution system and effect on water quality in Peshawar, Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 5794-5803.
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Question 
Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:
Describe how scientific approaches are used to address a complex practical problem
Scenario
You work for the Division of Water Sourcing and Education (DOWSE), an international nonprofit organization. DOWSE is doing a project to study the health of global freshwater ecosystems.
Water Analysis Report-DOWSE
The organization recently collected samples from two different locations in South America. The first sample shows signs of contamination. DOWSE hypothesizes that this is due to agricultural runoff from surrounding farms and ranches. The second set of data was collected from a nearby water source to be the “control” for comparison.
René Dey, your supervisor, has asked you to review the information and fill out the Water Analysis Report for the contaminated site. In the report, René also wants you to explain the possible causes of the contamination and recommend a solution.
Directions
Water Analysis Report
Download and complete the Water Analysis Report. First, finish filling in the table that already contains the data from the DOWSE team in South America.
Next, complete the Written Explanation section. In this section, address the following:
Identify how the scientists in South America determined their hypothesis.
Consider how the contaminated water impacted the surrounding environment and the people who live nearby.
Describe the scientific testing performed and the results the team found.
What were some of the testing procedures they used?
Describe the different types of data collected, and include their units of measurement, where applicable.
At what measurement is pH considered acceptable? What is the level of pH at the contaminated site?
At what NTU level is water considered acceptable? How many NTUs are being measured at the contaminated site?
What color is the water at the contaminated site?
Determine whether the scientific data collected supports or refutes the hypothesis. Consider the following:
How can low water pH cause problems for local people and wildlife?
What do you think is the cause of the higher-than-normal turbidity?
What does the color of the water tell you, and why is that important? Do you think DOWSE’s hypothesis is right? Why or why not?
Identify a possible solution for the water problem in this location in South America, based on scientific methods and the provided data.
Is there anything in the nearby area that could be degrading the water quality?