Water Quality and Contamination: Final Lab Report

Introduction

Water is fundamental for living organisms. In the farming system, water can come from many different sources and the quality are varied. Water sources include surface water, groundwater, or town water. Water from a number of different sources may be not suitable in the aspect of quality for its intended use for irrigation, stock, household, or other farm activities. It is crucial to determine and solve water quality problems that may affect farm productivity. The farm owner should have their farm water tested before and sometimes during, use.

Identifying the water quality, allows you to plan for water treatments to prevent problems such as poor plant growth, blocked irrigation or stock watering pipes, staining, and other undesirable effects of poor water quality.

There have been a variety of different water quality guidelines related to irrigated agriculture. But none has been entirely satisfactory due to the wide variability in field conditions. Therefore, there are several parameters that we use to measure water quality. These properties can be physical, chemical, or biological factors. Physical properties include temperature and turbidity and chemical parameters include pH and dissolved oxygen (DO). Biological parameters of water quality include algae and phytoplankton. All of these parameters are suitable and relevant to various types of water sources.

Materials

• YSI 556 Multi-parameter system
• LAQUAact D-75 Water Quality Analyzer HORIBA
• Horiba LAQUA Twin Nitrate Meter
• API Ammonia NH_3/ NH_4^+, Test Kit

Methods

Apparatus handling

• Before testing the water sample, all the usage instructions are thoroughly read
• The procedures were followed properly and the apparatus are used carefully
• The apparatus particularly the sense or probe are handled gently to avoid any damage or crush
• The sense of probe is rinsed with distilled water before and after checking the water samples

Water quality parameters checking

• Three different points or locations at each water source are determined for water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, chloride, salinity, and ammonia.
• The readings are recorded in a table for further data analysis
• The water quality measurement continued and was monitored for 30 days

Water quality tests interpreting

• the results are placed in the worksheet and submit them together with the report including the question given below.
• The graphs were plotted to compare the water quality parameter from those sampling locations.

Result

• Sources Replicate Water temperature (℃) Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) pH Conductivity (µS/cm) Salinity (mg/L) Nitrate NO_3 (ppm)

YSI Horiba YSI Horiba YSI YSI YSI LAQUA LAQUA

River

R1 24.67 25.9 8.52 0.1 6.31 30 0.01 0.00 33

R2 24.66 25.3 6.98 0.1 6.25 29 0.01 0.00 37

R3 24.67 25.3 6.86 0.1 6.26 30 0.01 0.00 37

Pond 1

(North) P1-1 30.85 31.7 6.40 0.1 5.78 37 0.02 0.00 756

P1-2 30.97 31.8 6.20 0.1 5.59 38 0.02 0.00 19

P1-3 30.95 31.9 6.33 0.1 5.80 37 0.02 0.00 23

Pond 2

(South) P2-1 28.61 29.8 5.35 0.1 6.00 16 0.01 0.00 27

P2-2 28.75 31.3 5.23 0.1 5.79 16 0.01 0.00 15

P2-3 28.28 27.8 4.97 0.1 5.68 16 0.01 0.00 0

Water storage tank S1 25.86 29.7 5.62 0.1 6.15 20 0.01 0.00 24

S2 25.88 29.7 6.26 0.1 6.41 19 0.01 0.00 24

S3 25.83 28.3 6.03 0.1 6.15 20 0.01 0.00 46

Pond 3

(cattle cages) P3-1 30.67 27.5 5.06 0.1 5.55 32 0.01 0.00 12

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P3-2 30.61 26.4 6.78 0.1 5.79 23 0.01 0.00 19

P3-3 30.86 26.4 5.67 0.1 6.14 23 0.01 0.00 2

• Sources Water temperature (℃) Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) pH Nitrate NO_3 (ppm) Salinity (mg/L) Conductivity (µS/cm)

YSI Horiba YSI Horiba YSI LAQUA YSI LAQUA YSI

River

24.67 25.50 7.45 0.1 6.27 35.67 0.01 0 29.67

Pond 1

(North) 28.55 29.23 5.18 0.1 5.82 14 0.01 0 16

Pond 2

(South) 30.92 31.80 6.31 0.1 5.72 266 0.02 0 37.33

Water storage tank

25.86 25.86 5.97 0.1 6.24 31.33 0.01 0 19.67

Pond 3

(cattle cages) 30.71 29.63 5.84 0.1 5.83 11 0.01 0 26

Discussion

Farm water sources and quality checking are fundamental for farm operations. Water quality is measured using several parameters, such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia level, and salinity. Each of the parameters is important for the farm and its functions. As mentioned in the introduction, the temperature of the water is included in physical factors, expressing how hot or cold the water is. Temperature can be further defined as a measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance. Water temperature also will be affecting other parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels which will decrease the solubility of the oxygen as water temperature increases. In our practice, we have selected different types of water sources, and for each one of them, we have taken 3 different points. The averages that we gained from the river are 24.67℃ (YSI) and 25.50℃ (Horiba). In pond 1, the temperature using YSI was 28.55℃, and the apparatus Horiba was 29.33℃. The temperature of the water may be varied along the length of the river but can also vary between small sections only meters apart. In lakes, the depth will affect the temperature, according to the level of sunlight penetration and mixing characteristics. The water surface temperature is usually between 0℃ and 30℃, even though the temperature of hot springs may exceed 40℃.

Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of free non-compound oxygen present in water or other liquids. It is an influential parameter in assessing water quality due to the effect of organisms living within the water. The amount of dissolved oxygen can be varied in daily and seasonal patterns and decline with higher temperature, salinity, and elevation. The maximum oxygen solubility in water at 1 atm pressure ranges from 15mg/L at 0℃ to 8mg/L at 30℃. For dissolved oxygen, we used two different apparatuses, YSI and Horiba. Just the same with temperature, we took 3 readings at 3 different points. The average Horiba shows 0.1mg/L DO for the river, pond 1, pond 2, water storage tank, and pond 3. YSI readings show that the river has 7.45mg/L DO meanwhile for pond 1, the dissolved oxygen is 5.18mg/L. for pond 2, the readings are 31.80 mg/L and 25.86 mg/L in the water storage tank. For pond 3, the dissolved oxygen is 5.84 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen comes from the atmosphere and from photosynthesis by aquatic plants, and is depleted through chemical oxidation and respiration by aquatic animals and microorganisms, especially during the decomposition of plant biomass and other organic material.

pH is the parameter that was used to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water, which detects the acidity or basicity of water. The normal pH range for irrigation water is from 6.5 to 8.4. An abnormal value is a warning that the water needs further assessment because it may cause a nutritional imbalance or contain toxic ions. During our practice, we used the YSI apparatus. The pH reading that we gained from the river was 6.27. Meanwhile, for ponds 1, 2, and 3 were 5.82, 5.72, and 5.83 respectively. And for the water tank storage, the pH reading was 6.24. If the water pH is too high or too low, the living aquatics within it will die. The solubility and toxicity of the chemicals and heavy metals in the water can be affected.

Nitrogen is the nutrient applied in the largest quantities for lawn and garden care and crop production. Nitrogen occurs naturally in the soil in organic forms from decaying plant and animal residues. Water quality monitoring shows that nitrate is present in the water sources. Using the LAQUA apparatus, the highest nitrate concentration recorded was from pond 2 with 266 ppm. This might be because of the failure of the device itself. In intense farming, the nitrate concentration may approach or exceed the EPA drinking water limit of 10mg/L. The optimum point is 5-10 ppm. Although nitrogen is naturally abundant in the environment, it is also introduced through sewage and fertilizers. Chemical fertilizer or animal manure is usually applied to crops to add nutrients. Nitrate can be absorbed into water from the usage of fertilizer containing nitrate. Nitrate can also be formed in water bodies through oxidation of other forms of nitrogen, including nitrite, ammonia, and organic nitrogen compounds such as amino acids. Excess of nitrogen can give an effect on environments such as causing overstimulation of the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Furthermore, it can clog water intake, use up dissolved oxygen, and block light to deeper waters.

The salinity parameter refers to the concentration of soluble salts in the irrigation water. Salts are highly soluble in surface and groundwater and transported with water movement. The suitability for irrigation will be affected by the level of salt in the water. Conditions that lead to salinity consist of primary salinity and secondary salinity. The salinity measurement was recorded using two devices, YSI and LAQUA. Both of them show 0 readings for all the water sources except YSI in pond 2 with 0.02 mg/L. High levels of salinity in water or soil can cause corrosion of machinery and infrastructure such as fences, roads, and bridges. It also will lead to poor health or even death of native vegetation and will lower crop yields by impairing the growth and health of salt-intolerant crops.

Conductivity is the parameter that is used in the measurement of the ability of an aqueous solution to transport an electrical current. This ability is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water. An ion is an atom of an element that has gained or lost an electron which will create a positive or negative condition. The optimum point is 600 µS/cm. In our practice, the YSI parameter shows that pond 2 has the highest conductivity with µS/cm 37.33 conductivity. Distilled water has a conductivity in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 µmhos/cm. Studies of inland freshwater indicate that streams supporting well-mixed fisheries have a range between 150 and 500 µmhos/cm

In my opinion, I think the river is the most suitable water source for farming. Because all the parameters of the river did not exceed the optimum point and if it does, that might come from devices or human errors. And for the worst water source, I choose pond 2 since most of the parameters exceed the given limit points.

Some suggestions on future farm development that I can suggest are managing the stock more efficiently for example by fencing off streams and waterways to decrease direct water contamination and being cautious when applying fertilizers or pesticides to avoid overuse of them.

Conclusion

High-quality water is necessary for healthy crops and herds. We are now able to perform water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and checking on water sources for farming after completing this practical. The apparatus we used during the practical are YSI 556 Multi-parameter System, LAQUAact D-75 Water Quality Analysers HORIBA, Horiba LAQUA Twin Nitrate Meter, and API Ammonia NH3/ NH4+ Test Kit. Each of them measured different parameters and each parameter of the water quality alone may not tell much, but a few parameters together can show impressive processes that are taking place in the water sources.

The farm water sources and quality checking practical help us to understand more on how to interpret the water quality and figure out changes that occurred in the water sources so that corrective actions and solutions can be taken as fast as possible. Water quality monitoring can help researchers and scientists to predict and learn from natural processes in the environment and determine the human effect on an ecosystem. These measurement efforts can also assist in restoration projects or make sure environmental standards are being met.

References

1. Water quality indicators: temperature and dissolved oxygen. Regional aquatics monitoring program (RAMP) http://www.ramp-alberta.org/river/water+sediment+quality/chemical/temperature+and+dissolved+oxygen.aspx
2. Water quality. Fondriest environmental learning center. https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/
3. Farm water quality-testing and treating for stock and domestic use. Department of primary industries https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub/information-and-resources/farm-water-testing
4. Conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids. Fondriest environmental learning center. https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/conductivity-salinity-tds/