The Effects of a Drought on Water Pollution

Relevance of your research question
Prior research has included:
1. "Effects of simulated acid rain and ozone on foliar chemistry of field grown Pinus ponderosa seedlings and mature trees." B. Momen and J.A. Helms, University of California-Berkley, 1994. This study researched the additive and interactive effects of simulated acid rain and elevated ozone on Carbon and Nitrogen contents of Pinus ponderosa foliage of various ages.
2. http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/H2Oquality.html
3. Simonin, Howard. "The continuing saga of acid rain." New York State Conservationist. Vol 52, No. 5, pp 54-55, Apr
1998.
4. The lawn maintenance staff of Miami University
5. http://epa.gov/305b/
6. http://www.scorecard.org
Could the pollutants in the pond be representative of a potential danger to people? By discovering the various chemicals that are in the pond water, we may demonstrate how closely people's actions are related to conditions of nature. Is the state of the water harmful to the organisms around it? What if the chemicals exist in our drinking water; are they harmful to us? Perhaps an understanding of the current water conditions would enable us to take steps to improve water quality.

Materials and Methods
Our experimental design is to first gather samples of pond water before the next rain occurs so that we can test for pollutants and minerals that have been building in the water over the past month. Through the lawn maintenance department, we shall gather samples of the fertilizers used on the grass around the pond and test their chemical content. At the first sign of precipitation, we shall set-up basins to collect various samples of rain. The first will be set out in an open field. The second will be under a tree to collect runoff from the leaves, and the third will be located under a drain spout of McKee Hall to collect roof runoff. Following the rain, we shall return to the pond to collect another sample of the water. We will also take samples of tap water in Boyd and McKee Halls. We plan to use distilled water as a control. Each of these samples will be tested for various pollutants, including nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates. We will also test the acidity of the water.
Materials needed for the execution of this testing include: distilled water jugs for storing samples, refrigerators for storing samples, three large basins to collect rain samples, water testing kits for each chemical to be tested.
In a lab activity, the class will be split into groups, given a sample of pond water, and instructed to test the water for a pollutant. This is to teach the class how water is tested. This lab can be done at any time in October or November.
Since this research is weather contingent, the first samples of water will be taken immediately. Local weather patterns will determine when the next step, collecting rainwater, will occur. The samples must be taken at the start of the first rainfall after September 27, 1999. Testing of the samples will be done over the next month, as the samples can be viably stored in a cool, dark space.

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• Very Impressive (10/14/99) [ Contributor: Liz Hauser, Spencer Davis, Kristi Gerard, and Marty-Section: Nicholson ]
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