Water Test Results
May 4, 1998
Quantitative:
Students tested water samples on site and in class. They found the pH level to be 8 at both locations. No traces of ammonia nitrogen, chlorine, chromium, copper, cyanide, iron, sulfide, lead, or oil contamination were found at either site. The test concluded that the farther down the Dan River the greater the amount of phosphates, nitrates, and silicas found. Students could see a definite difference from the small traces at the Powerhouse at Kibler Valley through Danbury to Eden. In addition, an equal amount of bacteria growth was evident from both the Danbury samples and from the Eden samples. Students concluded that more pollution occurred as the Dan River flowed through communities with industry.
Qualitative:
At Danbury, students found the water appearance to be muddy and brownish; the stream bed coating to be brown, and they recorded no water odor. Several days of rain had preceded the testing causing these water conditions. The weather conditions were cloudy and cool with an air temperature of 56 F and a water temperature of 54 F. Water movement was fast and carried more sediment than the water at the Powerhouse.
In Eden, students recorded the water appearance as muddy and brownish; the stream bed was brown, and the water had no odor. Several days of rain had preceded the testing and effected our testing results. The air temperature was 66 F and the water temperature was 55 F. Students noted that the water continued to move at about the same speed and carried about the same amount of sediment as it had at the power house. Students concluded that the brownish tint of the water was probably a result of agricultural runoff.
Aquatic Life Systems
:In Danbury, NC, students collected and identified aquatic mites which can live in good and partially polluted water, the whirligig beetle which lives only in good water, and air breathing snails which can live in good water, partially polluted water, and poor quality water.
In Eden, NC, students collected and identified diving beetles and riffle beetle which live in good water, cranefly larvae and stonefly larvae which lives in partially polluted water. The aquatic earthworm which lives in partially polluted water, the leopard frog, two striped grasshopper and water striders which can live in partially polluted water.
Students concluded that the Dan River in Danbury, NC and Eden, NC contain only a small amount of pollution because diving beetles, riffle beetles, and whirligig beetles can only live in good water. Also, there were aquatic mites, aquatic earthworms, and water striders which live in partially polluted water. Students also concluded that the water was turbid.
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