In our investigation we found out that for most of our measured variables, the stream water quality diminished the further we got away from the source (the mountain).
Water quality is defined in terms of the chemical, physical and biological content of water. There are multiple measures that constitute good water quality which is why we measured 7 different variables.
The results we got for Aquatic macroinvertebrates index is vital evidence that the water quality decreased. We found only one 2 at site 1, ten 2’s at site 2 and twenty five 2’s at site 3 which is an example of the water quality decreasing the further away we got from the source, as this means that not as many freshwater macroinvertebrates could live in site 2 and 3 as they could in site 1. (Site 1-excellent water quality, site 2-very good water quality, site 3-fair water quality).
Another example of how the water quality changed …show more content…
Turbidity is a reflection of the amount of fine suspended sediments in the water, which was what affected Site 2’s turbidity.
Conductivity can affect organisms as high conductivity can encourage algae which can lead to daily fluctuations in both pH and dissolved oxygen levels which are harmful to organisms living in the water. Although site 3 had high conductivity, we can’t be 100% sure as to whether it was affected by the tide.
Our methods were valid as it tested the hypothesis and got a correct result without bias or human error (as we ensured to minimise these) meaning its fair for each trial and site. The methods show a specific step to step way of how each measurement for each variable had to be done; this ensured that when we carried out the investigation, no mistakes were made with our results, giving us the correct