CITIZEN SCIENTIST - WATER QUALITY TESTING

We have been to Stony Run, the stream that runs on the edge of campus. It looks clean,
as you can see in this photo. Now it is time to see exactly how clean that water is. The
tests we will perform are for dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, phosphate, nitrates and
coliform bacteria. The first four are abiotic factors and are relatively simple tests. The
test for coliform bacteria involves actually growing the coliform bacteria and will take
more time. We will take readings from 2 different parts of the stream and then we will
upload our data to Fieldscope.
Site A: Located at the intersection of Bellmore and Boxhill: Groups 1 and 2
Site B: Located south of campus near the Gilman tennis courts: Groups 3 and 4
Both A and B: Group 5
Test Assignments:
Dissolved Oxygen and Phosphate: Groups 1 and 3
pH and Nitrates: Groups 2 and 4
Coliform Bacteria: Group 5

DATA SHEET
Dissolved Oxygen and Phosphate
Group #:

Group Members:

Sample Collection Date:

Weather:
Testing Date:
Description of Sample Location:
Procedure:
1. Look at the sample water jar. Record in the space below your observations of the
sample. Include color, clarity and any other observations that you might have.

2. Dissolved Oxygen
Go to the dissolved oxygen kit. Follow the directions. Do all of your work over a sink or
a bin. Record your data here:
Sample Site

DO (ppm)

Comments

3. Phosphate
Go to the phosphate test kit. Follow the directions. Remember that you need to wait 5
minutes for the final result. Do all of your work over a sink or a bin.
Sample Site

Phosphate (ppm)

Comments

DATA SHEET
pH and Nitrate

Group #:

Group Members:

Sample Collection Date:

Weather:
Testing Date:
Description of Sample Location:
Procedure:
1. Look at the sample water jar. Record in the space below your observations of the
sample. Include color, clarity and any other observations that you might have.

2. pH
Go to the pH kit. Follow the directions. Do all of your work over a sink or a bin. Record
your data here:
Sample Site

pH

Comments

3. Nitrates
Go to the nitrate test kit. Follow the directions. Remember that you need to wait 5
minutes for the final result. Do all of your work over a sink or a bin.
Sample Site

Nitrate (ppm)

Comments

DATA SHEET
Fecal Coliform
Group #:

Group Members:

Sample Collection Date:

Weather:
Testing Date:
Sample Locations:
Procedure:
1. Look at the sample water jar. Record in the space below your observations of the
sample. Include color, clarity and any other observations that you might have.
SAMPLE A:

SAMPLE B:

2. Go to the Coliform kit. Follow the directions. Do all of your work over a sink or a bin.
Record your data here:
Sample Site

Fecal Coliform

Comments

DATA SHEET
Test Date:
Block

Sample

A Block

E Block

F Block

G Block

DO

pH

Nitrate

Phosphate

Coliform

Test Date:
Block

Sample

A Block

E Block

F Block

G Block

DO

pH

Nitrate

Phosphate

Coliform