Frontier Water Quality Project

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Frontier Water Quality Project

• Steve Banda, Shannon Downing, Hanna Fredeen,
  Santiago Gonzales, Leigh Ann James, Jay
  Loutherback, Diane Reid, and Quintz Whitaker
  

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How do the pH, Temperature, and Dissolved
Oxygen Levels Vary Along the Yakima River?
Frontier Middle School, Moses Lake, WA
Steve Banda, Shannon Downing, Hanna Fredeen,
Jimmy Gonzales, Leigh Ann James, Jay Loutherback,
Diane Reid, Quintz Whitaker
Introduction The Yakima River flows from the for
ested slopes of Washington's Cascade Mountains,
through the Kittitas Valley's rich pasture and
farm land and into the desert hills of the Yakima
River Canyon. The Yakima River provides over 65
miles of prime, diverse trout water. An average
of 300 sunny days per year combined with three
reservoirs which keep the river cool in summer
insure a fertile environment where trout and
insect populations thrive. Temperature, pH, di
ssolved oxygen are important measures of water
quality.  Many of the physical, biological, and
chemical characteristics of a river are directly
affected by temperature. For example, temperature
influences the amount of oxygen that can be
dissolved in water, the rate of photosynthesis by
algae and larger aquatic plants, the metabolic
rates of aquatic organisms, and the sensitivity
of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and
diseases.  Rainbow trout are cold-blooded anim
als and require good water conditions for their
survival.  The water temperature ranges for
rainbow trout run from 9 degrees to 24 degrees
and the ideal temperature is 12 degrees.  The
ideal dissolved oxygen concentration for
adult rainbow trout is between 9-12 mg/l and the
ideal pH level is between 6.5 - 7.5.
Methods 1.  All necessary rafting gear and person
al clothing was acquired, and life preservers
were worn by all participants.2.  LabPro and
graphing calculator with the dissolved oxygen
probe, temperature probe, and pH probe were set
up and calibrated according to users
manuals.4.  Qualitative observations (i.e.
location, time water speed, depth, soil,
vegetation) were recorded.5.  Latitude and
longitude of location was measured with GPS and
recorded as waypoints on the GPS.
6.  The tip of each probe was put into the top 1
cm of the water. 7.  When LabPro D.O., pH, and t
emperature readings stabilized the data was
recorded.8. All electronic gear was secured
until next observation area.9. Steps 4 - 9 were
repeated at each location.10.  At the end of
journey, equipment was cleaned and stored.
Discussion The intent of this investigation was t
o determine the ideal location of rainbow trout
habitat in the Yakima River. The preliminary
research indicated that the temperature range for
rainbow trout runs from 7 C to 24 C and the ideal
temperature is 12 C.  The ideal dissolved oxygen
concentration for adult  trout is between 9-12
mg/l and the ideal pH level is between 6.5 -
7.5. To determine the location of ideal condition
s the research question posed was How do the pH,
temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels vary
along the Yakima River? It was indicated that
stops along the route to take measurements would
be made. However, due to high water levels, it
was not possible to stop. Measurements were
taken enroute and the equipment became wet. This
was due, in part, to Dr. IQs crazy paddling
techniques and antagonistic water squirting upon
the Sisters who retaliated with a deluge upon the
extremely studious crew. Backup equipment was
loaned to another team, who had equipment
failure. The LabPro equipment experienced technic
al difficulties. The D.O. probe read as a
thermometer, amp probe, light probe, and on three
occasion as a D.O. probe. The pH values ranged
from 2.7 13.73, well within the death range of
many organisms. Observations of fish being
caught by fishermen did not support the pH ranges
measured. The temperature probe proved to be
reliable and consistent along the route. The
water temperature increased from 16.6 C to 17.5 C
in 2 ½ hour at a rate of 0.4 C per hour. The
last reading increased from 17.5 C to 19.2 C an
increase of 1.7 C in ½ hour. This reading was
taken near a tributary of the Yakima River and
may have increased the water temperature at a
faster rate than what was recorded at other
locations. Improvements for this investigation in
clude scouting the water conditions, so it can be
determined if desired measurements can be taken.
Due to inconsistencies and failure of equipment,
water samples should be taken back to the lab for
testing, or equipment or testing techniques that
are more reliable should be used. More testing
should be made to increase the reliability of
results.
Results Qualitative Observations Yakima River Raf
ting Experience
Research Question How do the pH, temperature, and
dissolved oxygen levels vary along the Yakima
River?  
Hypotheses Null Hypothesis The pH, temperature,
and dissolved oxygen levels will not change at
various locations along the Yakima
River.Alternative Hypothesis The pH,
temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels will
change at various locations along the Yakima
River.
Prediction There will be no change in dissolved o
xygen levels because the Yakima River is a moving
body of water. The movement should keep the
oxygen levels high and constant. There will be a
change in pH levels because of canals,
tributaries, agricultural run-off and underlying
geology. There will be temperature variations
because of changes in water flow rate, weather
and time of day.
Conclusion The results support that the Yakima Ri
ver water temperature ranges from 16.6 C to 19.2
C and is within the temperature range suitable
for rainbow trout. The results gathered from the
D.O. probe and pH probe were inconsistent and are
deemed unreliable. No conclusion can be made
regarding the levels of D.O. and pH.
Materials Magellan SporTrakCOLOR GPSVernier LabP
ro interfaceTI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing
CalculatorVernier Temperature probe Vernier pH
probeVernier dissolved oxygen probetabletpencil
s or pensYakima RiverRaft and appropriate
rafting gearClothing appropriate for
raftingPFDs for all participants
Quantitative Observations
References Water Quality Standards Handbook Seco
nd Edition, http//www.epa.gov/waterscience/standa
rds/handbook/, (EPA-823-B-94-005) August 1994
WAC 170-201A, Surface Water Quality for the State
of Washington http//www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0310060.p
df
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Research Observing where no one has gone
before.

• Question How do environmental factors affect
  the water quality in the Moses Lake area?
  
• Hypothesis Environmental factors will affect
  the water quality in the Moses Lake area.
  
• Null Hypothesis Environmental factors will not
  affect the water quality in the Moses Lake area.
  
• Prediction Environmental factors will have a
  negative affect on the water quality in Moses
  Lake because of human activities.

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District Context
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Strengths Opportunities

• Diverse background
• Team teaching
• Commitment to inquiry

• Can look to one another for expertise.
• Increased communication
• Improve student learning

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Weakness Opportunity

• Lack of training outside of content area.
• Few teachers involved in inquiry.

• Additional training and broaden expertise.
• Increase involvement of peers.

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Strengths Threats

• Commitment to inquiry.
• Curriculum developed at NCWII

• Resistance to change
• Pressure to focus on district curriculum.

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Weaknesses Threats

• Project gets put on back burner.
• Energy it takes to put together inquiry.

• Return to evil ways.
• Burn out.

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Whats our plan for change?

• We commit to the plan we have created and involve
  as many people as possible.
  
• Continue to collaborate on integrating vertically
  and horizontally.
  

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MLSD Middle School Science Curriculum