Freshwater Pollution Testing Activity

Name: _______________

Introduction
Water is an important resource for all forms of life. While water is considered a renewable
resource, it can be degraded. The amount and quality of freshwater is a concern in many
areas. Water supply is becoming a concern because of the growth of human population
and the demands on water stresses the sources. The quality of water is a concern
because with increased water usage that means water becomes polluted and loses its
ability to recycle and cleanse itself.
Pollution can be described as point source or non-point source. Point source pollution is
something that can be identified and easily cleaned up. Non-point source pollution is one
in which the source cannot be identified and clean-up becomes much more difficult.
Students will conduct the following water testing procedure to determine the pollution
levels of freshwater locations in our area. Students will collect water samples from three
different sites, the Missouri River at English Landing in Parkville, Smithville Lake near the
dam, and the high school pond behind the baseball fields. Pollutants that will be tested
are chlorine, nitrates and phosphates. Dissolved oxygen levels, pH, and temperature will
also be tested. Will pollutants be present in all three samples? How will the levels of
pollutants at each location compare?
Create a hypothesis regarding the questions above. Use the following websites to
research pollution types and locations. http://www.greenfacts.org/en/waterresources/figtableboxes/5.htm
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/riverslakes/threatsimpacts/
http://environmentmissouri.org/sites/environment/files/reports/Top_Ten_Frightening_Facts_About_the_-Missouri_River_2010.pdf
1.____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
Fill out the table below using the greenfacts.org website above to determine how each
pollutant affects water quality and living organisms within the rivers, streams, and lakes.
Pollutant
Chlorine

Phosphates

Effects on Water Quality and Organism Health

Nitrates

Dissolved
Oxygen
Temperatur
e

pH

Procedure
Collecting water using a flushing style water sampler.

1. Remove the plastic center plug and insert the

collecting tube into the inner chamber.
Replace the plastic center plug with inlet tubing
inside test tube.
2. Attach the 2 lb. weight to the bottom bridle
with the snap clamp.
3. Attach string and snap clamp to top bridle.
4. Lower the water sampler to the desired depth
and wait until completely full. This is determined
when air bubbles no longer appear. Can take 3-5
minutes.
5. Carefully retrieve the water sampler and remove
the plastic center plug.
6. Remove the collecting tube using the rod with
stopper.
7. Cap collecting tube with stopper.
8. Determine the temperature of the water sample
in the field before the sample is transported for
testing.
Temperature recorded in Celcius
River __________

Lake ___________

Testing for Pollutants.

Pond ___________

1. Fill each water sample tube with 5-ml of one of the freshwater samples. Follow the
instructions and determine results using the color compare charts for each
pollutant. Fill in the following table.
2. Chlorine Test
a. Add one chlorine DPD test tablet to the tube.
b. Cap and mix until solution is dissolved.
c. Use the color compare chart to determine the amount of chlorine in ppm.
3. Dissolved oxygen test
a. For this test fill the water to the very top of the sample tube.
b. Add 2 dissolved oxygen test tablets.
c. Cap and mix until dissolved, make sure that there arent any air bubbles in
the sample.
d. Use the color compare chart to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen in
ppm.
4. Nitrate test
a. Add one nitrate test tablet.
b. Cap and mix until dissolved.
c. Wait for 5 minutes before using the color compare chart.
5. Phosphate test
a. Add one phosphate test tablet.
b. Cap and mix until dissolved.
c. Wait for 5 minutes before using the color compare chart.
6. pH test
a. This test requires 10-ml of water in the sample tube.
b. Add one pH test tablet.
c. Cap and mix until dissolved.
d. Use the color compare chart to determine the pH of the water sample.
Table 1 Results of Testing
Pollutant
Chlorine ppm

Missouri River

Smithville Lake

High School Pond

Dissolved oxygen
ppm
Nitrate ppm
Phosphate ppm
pH 4-11

Create a conclusion regarding your hypothesis. Use the data to state whether your
hypothesis was supported or not supported.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Analysis Questions
7. How do your results compare to the information on the greenfacts.org website?

8. Discuss what possible sources of error could have occurred in the testing.

9. Would you describe the areas you tested polluted or non-polluted? What evidence
is there to support your conclusion?