Seneca Lake Research Plan

Research question: How does the water quality of Seneca Lake affect the plant and animal life in the lake?

Variables

Controlled: amount of water being sampled at each location
Independent: depth of locations
Relevant: pH and DO of locations

The pH and DO of the water in an aquatic ecosystem is very important to the plant and animal life living there. According to the USGS Water Science School, a pH below five can affect the reproduction of fish. If it is below 4, adult fish will begin to die. According to Lenntech, a water with too high alkalinity can also affect fish. In water with a pH of about 9.6, gills and eyes may be damaged and the fish may die. The Science on Seneca manual says that a pH of less than 5 or higher than 8.5 will place a strain on plant life. Dissolved oxygen is also important in an aquatic ecosystem because plants and animals need the oxygen in the water to use for respiration. When it falls below 3 ppm, (Science on Seneca manual) fish cannot survive. Water with a high DO level is considered healthy. Low DO can affect an ecosystem in many ways, such as harming the biodiversity (oocities.org) and allowing dangerous chemicals to dissolve into the water. An example is cadmium, which stays solid in the presence of oxygen and sinks to the bottom of lakes. If the water lacks much oxygen the cadmium will dissolve, which is a problem because it's poisonous to fish.

Citations:

"Dissolved Oxygen." Dissolved Oxygen. Utah State University, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

"Effects of Changes in PH on Freshwater Ecosystems." DissolvedOxygen. Lenntech BV, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Halfman, B., J. Halfman, C. De Denus, T. Curtin, and S. Myers. Science on Seneca. Geneva, New York: HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES, 2008, 2011. PDF.

"PH -- Water Properties." PH: Water Properties, from the USGS Water-Science School. USGS, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

"Water Treatment Solutions." Effects of Acids and Alkalis on Aquatic Life. Lenntech BV, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

Hypothesis: The pH and DO will both be at safe levels for the support of plant and animal life in the lake, and both will be healthy.

Controlling variables:

• Using the same amount of water at each location for each test
• It will be done on the same day

Procedure:

• Collect water sample to perform pH test
• Turn pH meter on, remove cap to expose glass bead
• Pour at least an inch of water into a glass beaker rinsed with lake water and place pH meter in the beaker
• Let number on readout stabalize for 5-10 seconds and record
• Rinse off pH meter with distilled water, replace protective cover, and turn off
• Find LaMotte sample bottle. Add 8 drops of the manganese(II) sulfate solution (bottle 4167) followed by 8 drops of the alkaline potassium iodide azide solution (bottle 7166).
• Carefully cap the bottle and mix by inverting gently. Allow precipitate that has formed to settle on shoulder of the bottle. Wait 3-4 minutes for this.
• Add one gram of sulfamic acid (bottle 6286) to the solution. Cap the bottle and mix until the white crystals and precipitate have completely dissolved.
• Pour solution into the titration tube, up to the 20 mL line. Add 8 drops of starch solution.
• Fill the Direct Reading Titrator (0337) up to the 0 mark with the sodium thiosulfate solution (bottle 4169).
• Insert titrator though the small hole in the cap of the titration tube and titrate solution slowly. Swirl the solution until the blue color disappears permanently with one drop of titrant. You may have to fill the titrator more than once. Record how much titrant you used before refilling. 
• Dump remaining contents of the LaMotte bottle and titratration tube into labeled waste container. Rinse with distilled water and place back into kit.

How I Impact the Carbon Cycle

• Using gas for various things
• Breathing out carbon dioxide
• Exercising, which causes a higher rate of cellular respiration
• Using paper and wood which causes more deforestation
• Using electricity

Bonobo biome

   The Bonobo lives in the tropical rainforest, only found in the Congo. The tropical rainforest is found around the equator and the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. There are rainforests in South America, most notably Brazil, central Africa, and southeastern Asia including parts of India all the way to Malaysia. There are only two seasons in the rainforest, the wet season and the dry season. The wet season is from January to June, when it rains every day and the rivers flood. The dry season is July through December. The average rainfall is much less during this time but it still rains regularly. In both seasons, it is always very hot and humid, with an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
   A common type of plant found in the rainforest is the epiphyte. They grow on the surface of other plants, especially trunks and branches of trees, to reach the sunlight from the canopy. Animals also have adaptations that allow them to better survive in their environment. An example is the three-toed sloth. Green algae grows in the sloth's fur, which helps it blend in with the trees and go unnoticed to predators. Another is the toucan, which has a large, hard beak to allow it to break the shells of nuts that other animals can't. This makes it easier for them to find food, since they don't have to compete for it as much.
   In this ecosystem, the Bonobo has a specific niche. It is an omnivore and eats fruit, seeds, and small invertebrates. The ecosystem supports this species by supplying food and a place to live, since Bonobos can only live in a very specific environment. The Bonobo is a secondary consumer. A typical food chain of this species is rainforest leaves being eaten by insect larvae, which gets eaten by the Bonobo, which gets eaten by crocodiles. The bonobo competes with chimpanzees because they both have a similar niche. They are similar animals, with much of the same behavior and diet. Because they have the same diet, they are competing with each other for food.
   Though the rainforest is home to many of the world's plant and animal species, there has been many environmental concerns surrounding it. An important one in the mass deforestation happening in areas around the world. Huge sections of the rainforest are being cut down for farmland and timber. Many solutions have been suggested and put in place to stop this. Different organizations have been working to stop the illegal practices of logging in the rainforest. These organizations provide guidance to companies around the world to identify legal sources of timber and encourage people to buy certified wood products.



Cushman, Abi. "Bonobo Facts | Pygmy Chimpanzee | Chimps | Endangered Animals." Animal Fact     Guide. Animal Fact Guide, 24 Aug. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.

"Deforestation." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.

"Where Are the Rainforests?" Where Are the Rainforests? N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.

Furnace Brook Lab Report

Furnace Brook Investigation

Introduction: This lab will investigate how healthy the water is in different locations in Furnace Brook. To do this, the temperature, pH level, and turbidity will be taken at each location, along with a count of the macroinvertebrates living in that area. This will help to determine how polluted the water is, because certain macroinvertebrates can only live in water with a certain level of pollution.

Research Question: Is the water quality near the Corcoran parking lot better than the water quality near the Corcoran park?

Hypothesis: The water quality in the Corcoran park will be better than the water quality in the Corcoran parking lot.

Variable Identification:

Controlled variable	Method to control the variable
Amount of sunlight	All data was taken from shady locations
Depth measurement	Depths were recorded carefully

Experimental Setup: The experiment was performed at two locations, under the bridge by the Corcoran parking lot and the bridge in the Corcoran park. The materials used were a Secchi disk,  two test tubes with a pH Wide Range TesTab and two Dissolved Oxygen TesTabs, a thermometer, meter stick, sampling container and a kick net.


Procedure:

1.      Pick a location in the stream. Record latitude and longitude.

2.      Observe the environment around your location. Record anything you notice, including water clarity, algae covering, amount of sun, etc.

3.      Measure the width of the stream and record. Divide into six equidistant locations and measure the depth of each. Record.

4.      Measure out a 40 ft section of the stream. Drop a ping pong ball into the water and record how long it takes to travel the 40 ft. Do this five times and find the average float time.

5.      Calculate stream velocity by dividing 40 feet by the average flow time.

6.      Collect some water in a small tube and put in one pH tablet. Invert tube for 4 minutes and use reference sheet to compare color. pH level will be determined by what color the water turned.

7.      Submerge another small tube into a water sample. Carefully remove the tube and drop in 2 dissolved oxygen tablets. Water will overflow. Screw cap on, making sure no bubbles are present, and invert tube for about 4 minutes. Wait 5 minutes for a color to develop, then determine DO level by comparing colors with the chart.

8.      Place net in stream with a rock at the base, one person holding it. Another goes upstream and disrupts the stream bed, sending mud and organisms into the water. Catch any macroinvertebrates with the kicknet and place in sampling container with water. Count, then return organisms to the creek.

Data:
Diversity Index of Location A

Bug species	Number	n(n-1)
Leeech	6	5(6) = 30
Scud	3	2(3) = 6
Hemiptera	1	0(1) = 0
Total	9(10) = 90	36

Diversity index = 90 / 36 = 2.5

Diversity Index of Location B

Bug Species	Number	n(n-1)
Caddisfly larva	3	2(3) = 6
Stonefly nymph	2	1(2) = 2
Scud	2	1(2) = 2
Total	6(7) = 42	10

Diversity index = 42/10 = 4.2

	pH level	turbidity	Temperature (°c)
Location A	8	0	16°
Location B	8	0	10°

Diversity index = 42/10 = 4.2


Results:


Discussion: Location A had many macroinvertebartes living there that were fairly resistant to water pollution. Leeches, scuds, and hemiptera can all survive in pollution, so there is nothing to support the fact that the water in this area was clean. In location B, very different macroinvertebrates were found: caddisfly larva and stonefly nymphs along with scuds, also found in the first location. However, caddisfly larva and stonefly nymphs are not resistant to pollution at all. They wouldn’t be able to survive in this location if there was any trace of pollution. This shows that location B was very clean. Location B also had a much higher diversity index than location A; 4.5, instead of 2.5 in the first one. This is due to the fact that there was a much more even number of each species in the second location. Each location had 3 different individual species, but the second location has either 2 or 3 of each, while the first ranged from 1 to 6.  The more even the populations are, the better diversity a place is said to have. Both locations had the same pH level and turbidity, but overall, location B has a better water quality.

Evaluation: This investigation was carried out on two different days on two different weeks. On one day, the day location A was tested, it had been sunny the previous week. The next day of testing, location B was tested. It had been very rainy that previous week. The rain may have had an effect on the water quality that would not have been like that had the conditions been the same as when the data for A was taken. This could be improved by taking the data for both locations on the same day. This investigation could be improved by taking data on each location more than once. By only doing it once, something could have been missed. Human error also could have played a role in any measurements taken. For example, depths, recordings for time, and taking readings on pH and DO may have been mistaken.

Conclusion: The data from this lab does not support my hypothesis that the water quality of location A is better. Location B had a better diversity index and the macroinvertebrates found indicated it had a lower pollution level.

References:
Topographic Map of Elmwood Park. Digital image. Mytopo.com. MyTopo, n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.

Wilsey, Brian J., and Catherine Potvin. "BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING: IMPORTANCE OF SPECIES EVENNESS IN AN OLD FIELD." Ecological Society of America. Ecological Society of America, Apr. 2000. Web. 08 Oct. 2015.

Biomagnification Case Study

       Biomagnification is the increase of a pollutant from one link of a food chain to the next. When a pollutant enters an environment, it's taken in by the lowest organism on the food chain. The next highest organism will eat the lowest, and take in the pollutant. This continues up the food chain, with each new organism having a higher concentration of the pollutant than the last because of the amount they're taking in. One pollutant that can do this is mercury.
       Mercury can be used in a variety of ways, such as pharmaceuticals and making electrical equipment, but the vast majority  of mercury found in the environment is from burning fossil fuels. Coal high in sulfur tends to be high in mercury as well, and when it burns both chemicals are released into the atmosphere. From there, it is washed back into the earth by rain and can run off into bodies of water where it does damage. Once in water, bacteria transform it into in its organic form, methylmercury, which can be absorbed by microscopic aquatic organisms and insects eaten by fish. They are eaten by larger fish, and eventually the fish are caught and eaten by humans, who will have the highest concentration in their bodies. This is an issue specifically in a village on the Amazon River, Brasilia Legal, where a case study was done to find out how mercury affects people.
       Multiple solutions have been suggested and put in place to decrease the amount of mercury in the environment. Researches have been working with farmers in this area to plant crops that can decrease the leaching of mercury from the soil. They have also been working with fishermen to identify areas in the river that have high concentrations of the bacteria that turn mercury into toxic methylmercury. Efforts to limit these spots have been successful through shoreline conservation and restoration.






Johnson, Maureen. "CASE STUDY: Brazil - Mercury Contamination in the Amazon." CASE STUDY:  Brazil - Mercury Contamination in the Amazon. IDRC, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2015.

Winner, Cherie. "How Does Toxic Mercury Get into Fish?" Oceanus Magazine. Woods Hole        Oceanographic Institution, 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 01 Oct. 2015.