Name: ___________________________ Teacher: ________________________

Class: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________

Bio 117 Lab: Monitoring Water Quality (40 points)

Introduction: The purpose of this laboratory is to introduce concepts used to monitor the
quality of natural surface waters in streams, lakes, and rivers. This laboratory will help
you appreciate the impacts of human activities on water quality as well as the local
problems associated with water quality. You will use the data collected during your given
laboratory period to write up a lab report, which is due on October 1, 2009. Today, you
will be introduced to different tests that will evaluate the quality of surface waters. We
will divide the class into groups of two and take measurements of local surface water.
Any results observed must be written down. These results will help when it comes time to
write up your lab report.

Each group will take a sample of water and analyze it for a number of water quality
parameters. The instructions and purposes of these measurements are described in the
LaMotte Water Testing Kit. The PowerPoint presentation on water quality will further
assist in necessary information for this laboratory. You will also be required to compare
your results to a control sample, which will be tap water for this experiment.
Additionally, you will compare your results to the results of the rest of the class.

The lab report should consist of 6 sections:

• TITLE:
o Name of experiment
o Date the experiment was performed
o Author’s name
o Lab partner’s name
o Instructor’s name
• PURPOSE:
o Make a one to two sentence statement indicating why the laboratory is
being performed.
o State the goal in carrying out this lab.
o State what is expected to be learned from this lab.
• Methods:
o Description of water quality parameters, procedures, kits, materials, origin
of water sample, description of sites, etc.
o For some of the water quality parameters, you will need to return to the
lab either 2 or 5 days after the water was collected. Read the test kit
booklet for further details. If you do not read your results, you are hurting
your grade as well as everyone else’s grade.

1
 • DATA:
o Graphs, tables, and illustrations (make captions for any table, graph, or
illustration.)
o Observations (surroundings, weather, etc.)
o See syllabus for further instructions.
• ANALYSIS:
o Main portion of lab report
o Explain results.
o It is an explanation of what was performed and observed.
o This is the section where you explain your graphs, tables, and illustrations.
o Explain any possible sources of error.
• CONCLUSION
o State the findings and results.
o Sum up the laboratory.
o Will include findings, results, accuracy of your results, and explain any
discrepancies.
o Show the teacher that you understand the concepts and purpose of this lab!

If you are unsuccessful at any of these tests, you cannot make another attempt. An
adequate amount of reagents were obtained for each group to perform one set of tests.
Please work slowly and follow directions carefully to obtain accurate results. After
completing your tests, wipe out the container with a paper towel and store all lab
materials and lab manuals within each container.

All labs must be written independently and written in 3rd person. Plagiarism will not be
tolerated. You lab report should be single-spaced with ½ inch margins. Cite all of your
sources, and proofread your work! Do not be afraid to ask me questions!

Water Quality Parameters:

Fecal Coliforms, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Nitrates, Phosphates, Biological
Oxygen Demand, and Temperature

Open Office Flier Opportunity:

Using your artistic ability, construct an Open Office Flier using a Text Document. This is
worth 10 bonus points.