Introduction
Water sample collection and analysis and the long-term study of a local system or environmental problem can be important field-study components of a biology course. You will experience both in this investigation.
Objectives
In this Preliminary Activity, you will gain experience using a Dissolved Oxygen Probe while measuring the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in a water sample provided by your teacher. You will also gain experience using a Temperature Probe, a Conductivity Probe, and a pH Sensor. You may or may not choose to use all four of the sensors as you subsequently research your chosen question.
After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about water issues before you choose and investigate a researchable question that involves long-term data collection. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:
- water
- water resources
- water quality
- water pollution
- eutrophication
- dissolved oxygen (DO)
- pH
- total dissolved solids
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment features the following sensors and equipment. Additional equipment may be required.
Correlations
Teaching to an educational standard? This experiment supports the standards below.
- International Baccalaureate (IB)/Environmental Systems and Societies
- 4.4 Water pollution
Ready to Experiment?
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Purchase the Lab Book
This experiment is #19 of Investigating Biology through Inquiry. The experiment in the book includes student instructions as well as instructor information for set up, helpful hints, and sample graphs and data.
