Lesson 5: Using Water Chemistry as an Indicator of Stream Health – Simple Colorimetric Analysis
Students measure levels of oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), alkalinity, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, pH and turbidity in water samples. They learn about the importance of each of these parameters and what levels are acceptable for each parameter.
1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.08, 3.04, 3.05, 3.07, 3.08, 4.09
If each group is assigned a different analytical task, students should be able to complete the analysis of water from both sites within 15 minutes. Discussing the results and drawing conclusions may take an additional 25 minutes. If each group analyzes water samples for all parameters, allow at least 60 minutes to collect data and 25 minutes to discuss.
- Stream water samples
- sample bottles
- turbidity tube
- oxygen meter
- water test kits
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