Wetlands have multiple beneficial functions that helps the environment. They provide flood control, absorption of pollutants, improvement of the water quality, collection of stormwater for irrigation, and edible food. Wetlands also provide a habitat for multiple species, increasing the biodiversity. (Department of environment and energy 2016).
The catchment area of the Urrbrae wetland is around 400 hectares which is a large amount considering the wetland itself is only 6 hectares. The annual catchment runoff is 360 megalitres. The Urrbrae wetland also has the ability to store up to 17.7 million litres of water (Urrbrae Wetland Learning Centre 2016)
The aim of the investigation is to identify …show more content…
The independent variable is the water samples taken.
A dependant variable is the variable being measured during the experiment. The dependant variables are the salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, phosphates, and the temperature of the water samples obtained from each pond.
Factors that are deliberately held constant is the the amount of millilitres gathered from each location, and the method of the testing.
Method pH A small sample of water was placed into a small dish.
Test tape was placed in the water sample.
The test tape was left in the water sample until there was no longer a change in colour.
The test tape was removed and excess water was shaken off.
The colour of the test tape was compared to the colour charts.
The pH of the solution was …show more content…
Turbidity
The water sample was poured through the plastic tube
The water was poured in until the “X” at the bottom of the tube was no longer visible
A ruler was used to measure the height of the water in mm
A measurement and turbidity graph was used to convert the mm into JUT’s
Results were recorded
Salinity
The probe was placed into the pond
The red button was pressed and the salinity reading was established
The results were recorded
Phosphate
The water sample was mixed into a small bottle
Six drops of a reactant was added to the water sample
The bottle was shaken until there was a change in colour
The colour was matched with the colour charts supplied
The Phosphates was measured and multiplied by 3.07
The results were recorded
Nitrate
The water sample was poured into the petri dish
A strip of test tape was placed into the water sample
The strip was left in the water for five minutes for a chemical reaction to occur
The colour of the test strip was matched with the colour chart
The results were recorded
Dissolved Oxygen
The Meter was placed into the pond
The results were recorded
Results:
Week 6
Cross Road Sediment Pond
Kitchener St Sediment Pond
Outlet
Main Pond LC
Tap