During science honors 9 class, we did an experiment on the water quality of the Coquitlam river and the Oxbow pond. The experiment was split into 2 parts; the first part was testing the pH level of the water, and the second part was looking at the invertebrates that were living the waters. Our objective was to test the quality of the waters and learn a little bit of science throughout the process. Before I get started talking about the water quality, I thought that you might enjoy and very amazing picture of me wearing very fashionable gear:

Next, was the easy part, testing the PH levels of the water. Each group at a little test tube and we were told to cover the test tube top (so no water would get in) and bring it under the water to the deeper part; uncovering the test tube and bringing it back to the surface. This way the sample that we got would be from the deeper section of the water.

We first went to the Coquitlam river to test the water temperature and the pH levels. (My teammates didn’t send many photos of the process to me, so there are a mix of photos between my groups and the photos that Katie’s group took; just in case, I asked Katie if I could use the pictures that she took and she said yes, so I hope that is ok.)

We first took the temperature of the water, there were 4 groups in total, 2 on the more upper portion of the stream and 2 on the bottom portion of the stream; this way we could test for the difference in the temperature. I held the thermometer in the water for exactly 2 minutes and here was the result:

When we brought back the sample, our group dipped the pH strip in the water sample for 5 seconds and brought it back up. The first picture is right after we dipped the pH strip in the water, and the second picture was 2 minutes after.

When we got back from the tests, we used a water quality analysis system to determine the quality of the water. Here is the table that shows all the information:

The Coquitlam river’s water quality was very good (as you can see from the table above). Other than the pH and phosphates O-value being around a 70; every other test was above 87 when measured in Q-value. When looking at the water quality chart, 71-90 = good water quality and 91-100 = excellent water quality. The approximate water quality index was 87.8, so the water quality of the Coquitlam river is very, very good; not excellent, but good enough.

Next up was to look for the little invertebrates living in the water. In order to determine what invertebrates lived in the water and what that means about the water quality of the water, we would first have to catch some of them. This was not an easy job, since the stream was running very fast and the invertebrates that we were supposed to catch are super small, we had to figure out a different method. What we ended up doing was to stand in the middle of the running stream and scrubbing rocks; my partner held a net in between my legs, and I scrubbed a few rocks in order the catch the invertebrates. The reason why this works is because, since the stream was running so fast, all of the invertebrates were holding on to the rocks for dear life, by scrubbing the rocks, we would basically be lifting their small feet off the rocks; and because of the stream the little invertebrates would flow right into the net.

After that whole process, we got a net full of leaves and hopefully some invertebrates. To check what we got, we dumped everything that was in the net into a water bucket and looked at what we caught. Sadly, all we got was a fruit fly (I named him bobby, but my teammates did not agree with that, so they went with a different name, but he will forever be bobby in my heart).

On a better note, here is what my classmates ended up catching:

• When you look closely, the invertebrate that was found most are mayflies; and when looking on the Invertebrate ID reference, mayflies are pollution sensitive organisms and live in good quality water.
• The caddisflies are somewhat pollution tolerant organisms that can be found in good or fair quality water.
• Damselflies  are somewhat pollution tolerant organisms that can be found in good or fair quality water.

So the information that I have gathered points to that the Coquitlam river has pretty good water. Just like what the water Quality analysis said.

We did the same thing at the Oxbow pond to measure the temperature and the pH levels as the Coquitlam river.

Here are the results:

The oxbow pond’s water quality surprisingly is not that bad. It is in the same category as the Coquitlam river but just did not score as high (79.61)

Next is to look at the invertebrates/animals that live in the pond. Since the pond’s water is very still and disgusting, we could not use the same method as before. We ended up just using the nest to catch anything and everything that we could catch. Our team caught some small fishes and a water boatman.

 

Here is what our class found:

 

Just like anyone with an eye can see, there are a whole bunch more invertebrates/animals in the Oxbow pond compared to the Coquitlam river.

• Mayflies are pollution sensitive organisms and live in good quality water.
• Stone fly nymphs are pollution sensitive organisms and live in good quality water.
• Water pennies are pollution sensitive organisms and live in good quality water.
• Riffle beetles are pollution sensitive organisms and live in good quality water.
• Dragonfly larvae are somewhat pollution tolerant organisms that can be found in good or fair quality water.
• Caddisflies are somewhat pollution tolerant organisms that can be found in good or fair quality water.
• Damselflies are somewhat pollution tolerant organisms that can be found in good or fair quality water.

Again, it is very surprising that the Oxbow pond had the same or even more invertebrates living in it.

When comparing the 2 sites that we used for this experiment, even though on paper the Coquitlam river had better water quality, I hypothesize that the Oxbow River would be better place for these invertebrates to live in. I think this because when I went to the Coquitlam river, and the water was flowing really fast and hard; so even if the water quality is better, I’m guessing that the invertebrates would have a harder time living in the constant water flow. The Oxbow river on the other hand, was calm and relaxing, perfect for these delicate invertebrates to live in; did it smell bad? Yes, but the water quality analysis proved that it was a suitable place for invertebrates to live in.

Oh my god, I am finally at the reflection portion of the project. I personally love putting my personality into my writing, so writing everything above this part was very interesting; I am sorry if I added some opinions in there, I tried not to, but it was really hard. Now back to the main point. I really enjoyed the project, funny enough. Even if its currently 12 in the morning, I am writing this on the day that it is due, still have not even added the pictures yet, and the fact the I am very sleep deprived right now.  I am having an ok time. I was going to say that I am having a good time, but with the current state that I am at right now, that statement would be twisting the truth. But the overall project, I quite liked it. I “enjoyed” going and doing the experiments hands on because none of my team mates wanted to do it, and the testing portion was very interesting (I was going to say cool but I remembered that this is a science honors class). Ok that’s it, I would write more but I really need to go to sleep right now.