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Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on humans who consumes the water or aquatic life which lives in the water. Water pollution is one of the major problems the world is facing today. Polluted water is the root cause of many illnesses and ecological imbalances. The sources of water pollution maybe grouped into two main categories: direct and indirect contaminant sources.
Indirect sources of water pollution include contaminants that enter the water apply from soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rainwater. The Objective Of this research paper is to understand water pollution in the Muddily Creek due to water runoff caused by rainfall. Water samples were taken from the creek before and after rainfall. Common water quality parameters were measured to determine if rainfall had any effect on water pollution. PH and Dissolved Oxygen levels of the creek appear to be unaffected by the runoff from rainwater. However, turbidity of the creek has significantly increased.
The results show that rainfall has an effect on water elution in Muddily Creek. Introduction “Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives (in) it’ (Atwater Pollution FAQ’). Direct contaminant sources of water pollution include industrial waste from factories, oil refineries and chemical processing plants that is released into the water system. Even though there are regulations in place to protect water supplies, varying degrees of undesired pollutants make their way into our water systems such as rivers, lakes and reeks.
Indirect contaminant sources cannot be traced to a specific location. Acid depositions from air, traffic and pollutants that enter the water through runoff from rains are some examples of indirect contaminant sources (“Rubin”). Indirect contaminant sources are hard to control because the perpetrators cannot be traced. Due to arbitration, more and more roads, pavements and other forms of hard surfaces are built because of which even light to moderate showers cause rainwater runoff. Rainwater picks up fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and backyards of homes.
Rainwater also aeries petroleum substances from roads and streets before making its way into the water system (“Water Pollution FAQ”). Muddily Creek is a small right- hand branch Of Ranked River in Ranked County (Gannet 104). Internet search revealed that a project by name Muddily Creek Project was undertaken by the Ranked County to fight pollution of the creek (“Lowe”). The author is a resident of Ranked County and the creek runs by the high school the author attends. The author was interested in finding out whether rainwater washes harmful chemicals and materials into the creek.
If rainwater washed pollutants into the creek, then water quality measurements on water samples taken from the creek after a rainfall would indicate higher levels of water pollution. Methods & Materials Good water quality is important for supporting aquatic life as well as humans. Some aquatic creatures can adapt to a wide range of water conditions while some are very sensitive to water quality. Water for human consumption needs to meet rigorous quality criteria. Water quality factors used in this study are – Turbidity: Turbidity affects light’s ability to pass through water.
Turbidity is due to suspended particles in water. Turbidity could result in lower oxygen level in the water. Measurement procedure: I. A Chichi disk decal was adhered to the inside bottom of a transparent jar. Ii. The jar was filled up to the turbidity line with water from Mud lick Creek by Hidden Valley High School. Iii. After water in the jar settled, the appearance Of the Chichi disk was compared to standard turbidity reference chart and the reading in STIR was recorded in the logbook. Turbidity measurements were taken on three separate days.
A set of two turbidity measurements were taken on each of the three days resulting in six measurements. The third set of measurements was taken after it rained. An average turbidity value was calculated. PH: pH value around seven means water is neither acidic nor basic. Water that is neutral is suitable to support human as well as aquatic life. Measurement procedure: I. A 10 ml water sample from Muddily Creek was collected into a test tube. Ii. One pH Wide Range Testate was added to the sample. Iii. The test tube was capped and inverted few times until the tablet disintegrated. . Color of the sample was compared to pH color chart and the pH measurement was recorded in the logbook. PH measurements were taken on three separate days. A set of two pH measurements were taken on each of the three days resulting in six measurements. The third set of measurements was taken after it rained. An average pH value was calculated. Temperature: Fish and aquatic life are able to survive when water temperature is optimum. Warmer temperatures could increase toxicity of water. Measurement procedure: I. A beaker was filled with water from Muddily Creek. Ii.
A thermometer was placed in the beaker for one minute. Iii. The thermometer readout was recorded in the logbook. Temperature measurements were taken on three separate days. A set of two temperature measurements were taken on each of the three days resulting in six measurements. The third set Of measurements was taken after it rained. An average temperature value was calculated. Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is oxygen that is dissolved in water. Healthy levels of dissolved oxygen are necessary for fish and aquatic life to survive. Measurement procedure: I.
Water sample from Muddily Creek was collected into a vial. Ii. Two Dissolved Oxygen Testate were added to the water sample. Iii. The test tube was capped and inverted few times until the tablet disintegrated. Iv. After color developed in the water sample, water sample color was compared to the Dissolved Oxygen color chart and measurements were recorded in a logbook. DO measurements were taken on three separate days. A set of two DO measurements were taken on each of the three days resulting in six measurements. The third set of measurements was taken after it rained.
An average DO value was calculated. Rest Its It rained for a few days just before the last set of readings were taken on 12/3/2010. Data from experiments is presented below. Appendix contains all data tables and charts collected during the study. Turbidity of water in Muddily Creek was higher when measured after it rained. PH remained constant/neutral throughout the experiment. Temperature decreased progressively during the measurements. DO (saturation) varied within a tight range around during the measurements. DO expressed in pimp remained constant throughout the experiment.