The relationship between the pH and the Biotic Index of a stream

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Macha Cauchois

The relationship between the pH and the Biotic Index of a stream

Aim:

An investigation to find out the water quality in a stream at three different sites and see whether pH affects the biotic index.

Hypothesis:

I predict that the stream will be most polluted at the third site which is lowest down the stream, and the stream will be cleanest at the beginning. I think this because at the end of the stream, more pollution has been able to enter into the stream, and at the beginning of the stream, less pollution has entered into the stream. Different forms of pollution which may enter into the stream include fertilizers seeping in through the soil, air pollution from the surroundings and also from human impact through washing detergent and excretion. Due to all these pollutions entering the stream, I predict that the pH level of the water high up in the stream will be less acidic than lower down than in the stream.

Variables:

  • Independent
  • Sites
  • Dependent
  • Water Quality
  • Controlled
  • Number of species to collect
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  • Errors & Uncertainties
  • Changes in weather
  • Water speed
  • Water temperature

Apparatus:

  • Universal Indicator Paper
  • Biotic Index Chart
  • Large net
  • Water basin
  • Magnifying glass
  • pH chart

Method:

  1. Select three different sites to collect data from
  2. Using the net, create a whirlpool in the stream so that organisms come up above the sand
  3. Sweep the net around in one direction, upstream to collect organisms
  4. Keeping the net still in the water but the top of it out of the water so that organisms are unable to escape, look at each organism with a magnifying ...

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