Key Experiment Water Quality Testing
KEBS2: This investigation utilises data collection equipment for basic water quality monitoring and analysis. The data can then be used to investigate environmental variables.
Curriculum Topics
Biology: Describing biodiversity and Ecosystem dynamics
Description
This investigation provides the tools for data collection that will enable monitoring and analysis of relationships among environmental variables. Specifically water data is gathered and analysed for quality.
Principle
Relationships among abiotic and biotic factors can only be effectively explored through the collection of reliable data. Data collection methodologies must include repeatable sampling protocols as well as consideration of the scope and use of data collection equipment.
Tasks
1. Baseline testing for water quality can be achieved through four basic tests of: temperature, conductivity (TDS); pH and turbidity.
2. The next level of testing involves dissolved oxygen and nitrate or phosphate tests.
The tasks documented in this key experiment cover all these testing requirements.
Ideas for Extended Investigations
1. Compare water quality at different locations and relate to differences in human activity
2. Compare water quality at different locations and relate to differences in biodiversity
3. Compare water quality at different locations and relate to water flow characteristics.
Videos: The following videos provide tech tips for the use of each sensor:
Basic Tests
Extra Long Temperature Probe View >>>>
Turbidity Sensor : View >>>>
Conductivity Probe View >>>>
pH Sensor View >>>>
Dissolved Oxygen
Optical Dissolved Oxygen Probe View >>>>
Nitrate Testing
SpectroVis Plus View >>>>
Colorimeter (Beer's Law) View >>>>
Flow rate
Flow Rate Sensor View >>>>
Last edited 22nd Aug 2018
This product is used in teaching these Australian Curriculum codes:
ACSSU176 - Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems
Click a curriculum code to see other products that relate.
Essential items - The following items are required: | From |
| LABQ2 - Vernier LabQuest 2 Data Logger and Interface | $835.00 |
| TMP-BTA - Vernier Stainless Steel Temperature Probe | $103.00 |
| CON-BTA - Vernier Conductivity Probe | $301.00 |
| PH-BTA - Vernier pH Sensor | $238.00 |
| TRB-BTA - Vernier Turbidity Sensor | $298.00 |
| Optional items - The following items are optional: | From |
| GDX-ODO - Vernier Go Direct Optical Dissolved Oxygen Probe | $888.00 |
| GDX-SVISPL - Vernier Go Direct SpectroVis Plus Spectrophotometer - Spectrometer | $1,116.00 |
| COL-BTA - Vernier Colorimeter | $308.00 |
| GDX-COL - Vernier Go Direct Colorimeter | $310.00 |
| GDX-TMP - Vernier Go Direct Temperature Probe | $188.00 |
| GDX-CON - Vernier Go Direct Conductivity Probe | $310.00 |
| GDX-PH - Vernier Go Direct pH Sensor | $262.00 |
| GDX-FPH - Vernier Go Direct Tris Compatible Flat pH Sensor | $322.00 |
| TPL-BTA - Vernier Extra Long Temperature Probe | $238.00 |
| FLO-BTA - Vernier Flow Rate Sensor | $334.00 |
| LW2468-01 - Petri Dish Polystyrene 90mm with Lid Gamma Sterilised Box 500 | $115.00 |
| WQV - Water Quality with Vernier | $125.00 |
Documents: Experiment | DO Salt Correction | Experiment | Water Dissolved Oxygen | Experiment | Water Nitrates | Experiment | Water pH | Experiment | Water Temperature | Experiment | Water Turbidity | | |||||||||||||||
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