Ardross Primary

Soil Sampling & Water Testing

THE CHALLENGE – Why Bother?

Water conditions around the world are worsening due to human activities such as pollution and poaching. Water testing! Why should we care? Ecosystems could be destroyed, food sources damaged, recreation limited and drinking water could become unsafe. We bother because the ecosystem may suddenly plummet in its life levels and we need to find out why. We bother because the health of the water will affect river ecosystems, causing them to fail . This turn of events may lead to depleted food and water sources, or accidental poisoning due to unhealthy fish. Areas of the rivers will be blocked off, leading to the decomposition of the dead fish causing nitrate to be added to the already unhealthy river. Recreation sports may be cancelled due to the closing of the river. To prevent this series of events from happening, we need to test and analyse the water, and send the information to an international database. In the near future, this information may be used for safe drinking water distribution to many countries.

IF THE ECOSYSTEM DIES SO DOES THE RIVER!

By Su-En, Leo, Minoo, Hannah, Genevieve &Stella. Image by Evelyn & Minoo

Water Testing

6 Steps – How to Fill Sampling Containers

Water Testing, (What it is, Why we Test it).

Temperature: Temperature controls the amount of DO in water. Changes make the plants and animals vulnerable to toxic waste, parasites and diseases. Changes in temperature can be dangerous enough to threaten the balance of aquatic ecosystems by killing off organisms adapted to a specific temperature.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO): DO helps sustain a healthy and stable aquatic ecosystem. Colder water can hold more DO.

Phosphate: is needed for plant and animal growth but too much can lead to decreased DO. It’s measured to check whether of not the levels will sustain a bio-diverse ecosystem.

Potential Hydrogen (pH): pH is a measure of how much alkali there is in a sample of water. Aquatic life is usually adapted to a specific pH level.

Written by Stella, Edric, Leo, Saeyeon, Su-En, Julia, Jane, Abby & Mikho. Images by Evelyn and Minoo

Nitrate: Nitrate is a nutrient needed by all aquatic animal and plants but too much can cause bacterial decomposition to increase, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in DO. Contaminated drinking water can negatively affect the body’s ability to carry oxygen.

Turbidity: measures the amount of matter suspended in the water. A high rating may indicate problems such as algal bloom and erosion.

Water Testing

Photos taken by Room 19 Students

>5 ppm indicates a healthy river.

A DO Reading of 8 ppm means that the water has 88% of it O capacity.

Gingin Brook

Photos taken by Room 19 Students

Even though the testing for this site was done close to farming, the data indicated a healthy brook.

Hannah taking a break at Gingin Brook.

Gingin Brook.

Silver Creek

Written by Jane & Julia. Photos taken by Room 19 Students

Do you think water with fishing line floating around in it is a safe environment for marine life? Several birds have been trapped or tied together with the fishing line left by careless people. A family had to separate two birds in this state when we were at the Moore River 2 site.

A fisherperson also complained that some people bring very large boats in the area. Fishing line found at

Silver Creek.

Moore River

Written by Ben G. Photos taken by Room 19 Students

Moore River is about two hours north of Perth and is not very populated. The river looked very healthy. Unfortunately, this was also where two seagulls were found tangled with fishing line. Fortunately, a family found them and were able to separate them.

People were fishing there so the river must’ve been healthy enough to support fish.

Moore River where the River Meets the Ocean.

All our data supported our view that this is a healthy river.

Water Testing Results Map

The fish indicate water testing and the circles, soil sampling.

Evelyn & Minoo Drawing Diagrams.

Room 19 in Action

Photos taken by Room 19 students

Leo, Su-En & Kazia using ESRI.

Analysis - 1The water at Moore River 1 was quite clear landing a >0 to 40 Jackson Turbidity Unit Reading (JTU). The water was bright yellow with few or no suspended particles. Boating activity could affect this but it is prohibited along this area. This together with no evident erosion or algal bloom contribute to the good rating. Similar results were found at all four testing sites.

The temperature was a consistent 20°C along the whole river proving it to be quite healthy. A consistent temperature assists the growth of a balanced ecosystem.

The pH is good coming in at 8 pH meaning it isn’t very acidic. If this pH changes, several life forms in the Moore River, Silver Creek and Gingin Brook could be affected because they have adapted specifically to that pH. It can be affected by waste let into the waterways.

By Stella

Analysis - 2The levels of phosphate were within the good range at 2ppm. If this was higher the overgrowth of plants and decreased dissolved oxygen levels in the river could lead to problems with plant and animal growth.

Dissolved Oxygen was 8ppm at all sites. This is good because this means that the river and creeks have an 88% level of their capacity. The aquatic life is able to breath freely at this level.

The nitrate levels were perfect being less than 5ppm and a light yellow colour. If too much nitrate is in the water plant decay and subsequent loss of dissolved oxygen is promoted.

By Stella

Soil SamplingMicroBlitz is a program run by the University of Western Australia (UWA) which tests soil all around Western Australia. We collect samples from everywhere we go as part of the Citizen Science Programme.

Soil Sampling - MicroBlitz

The steps we took were:1.Choose a sample site.2.Position the quadrat.3.Record the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. 4.Photograph the sample area.5.Clear the surface of the sample area.6.Dig a shovel sized hole. 7.Collect your sample.8.Put sample into plastic bag.9.Fill two canisters with soil to the line indicated. 10.Seal the plastic bag.11.Seal all samples in a large plastic bag. 12.Restore the sample area. 13. Store the sample. If you have to store it for a day or two it’s better to store it in the fridge.

After completing all steps send the soil sample to the MicroBlitz team at UWA.

Soil Sampling

Photos taken by Room 19 StudentsTaking a Soil Sample at Silver Creek.

Getting a GPS Reading. This is important because the scientists need to know exactly where the soil they’re analysing came from. This is also important for accurate mapping.

Kazia Setting Up to Take a Soil Sample at Moore River 1.

Challenges and SolutionsChallenge: This year, the site that was checked for Moore River 1 was too difficult to get down to as some of the rocks had fallen away through erosion so we had to find another site. Solution: Ask the locals. Two locals helped us find a new site.

By Stella

Challenge: Learning the new software. Solution: Ask our mentor lots of questions, remember learning is continuous and just have a go.

Challenge: Zillions of fliesSolution: Learn the great Australian Wave and to work with one hand!

Conclusion

Overall, the Moore River, Gingin Brook and Silver Creek are healthy. This is particularly interesting because one site, Moore River 2, is near a town and the potential for pollution. All three sites can support an balanced ecosystem as well as well managed recreational activities such as swimming.

By Stella

Our Amazing MentorWe would like to thank our Mentor, Ms Maya Dominice. Her knowledge and support enabled us to learn a lot in a short time. The effort and time she put into teaching us geospatial related skills is greatly appreciated.

Participants

Hannah

QuinnEdric

Evelyn

Kazia

GenevieveMinoo

Julia

Ben

Declan

Colin

Jane

Stella

MikhoMaxim

SaeyeonLeo

Rhys

Abby

Mentor: Ms Maya Dominice

Teacher: Ms Auriol Heary

Su-En

Reference List

Green water testing kit: www.earthforce.org/green

GIS Software: ESRI 60 day free trail. http://esriaustralia.com.au/