tests as of the 13th of may

On Monday at lunch time, i tested my soil and water samples further.
I used more equipment that i added to the equipment list blog entry
i tested for turbidity, pH, presence of phosphates and moisture content

turbidity:

• i noticed that my first lot of water samples was a lot clearer and showed evidence of less pollution
• i think that this was because i got my second lot of samples from the park when it was busy and dogs were running around and disturbing the sediments in the water
  
• what i did to test for turbidity, was slowly pour my water samples into the tube, stopping at each level that was marked on the tube, looking through to make sure i could still see the 3 lines

• so, for the first lot of water which was clear and clean, it was obvious that the turbidity would be less than 5 as i could fill the whole tube and still see the lines on the bottom
  
• however, for the second lot of water, i noticed that i could only fill the tube up to between 20 and 30 NTU's level.
  
• this meant that the water was evidently murkier and more polluted and the turbidity final level was between 20 - 30 NTU's.
  

pH levels:

• this was the second time i had tested for pH levels of the soil and water
  
• the results i got were:
• FOR SOIL (from the grassy area)
  
• a):
• 7.50
  
• 7.35
• 7.27
• average = 7.373
• b)
• 7.10
• 7.23
• 7.07
• average = 7.13
• c)
• 7.60
• 7.42
• 7.39
• average = 6.723
• d)
• 7.64
• 7.22
• 7.08
• average = 7.313

• FOR SOIL (from the plant area near the car park)
• a)
• 6.90
• 6.25
• 7.02
• average = 6.723
  
• b)
• 7.25
• 7.45
• 6.98
• average = 7.226
  
• c)
• 6.99
• 6.75
• 7.03
• average = 6.923
• d)
• 7.02
  
• 6.95
• 6.88
  
• average = 6.95

• FOR WATER (GREEN SIDE ON MAP)
• 629
• 6.30
• 6.45
• average = 6.346
  
  

• FOR WATER (PURPLE SIDE ON MAP)
• 6.47
• 6.52
• 6.38
• average = 6.456
• FOR WATER (BLUE SIDE OF MAP)
• 6.35
• 6.40
• 6.57
• average = 6.44
  

presence of phosphates:

• this test was one of the most simple to conduct
  
• all i had to do was order the phosphate strips, dip them in the water for 1 - 2 seconds and leave them for 3 - 5 minutes, or until i saw a colour change. once i saw a colour change, i compared it to the chart on the side of the tin
  
• i tested all six of my samples, by pouring each into a beaker and dipping a strip into each and waiting for a change
  
• for each and every sample i got the same result:

• 0 - 10 parts per million (ppm)

Moisture content:

• the moisture content was quite a time consuming test
  
• what i had to do was order a scale and 8 evaporating basins
  
• i had to weight he basins then re weigh once i had added 4 spoon fulls of soil
  
• i recorded my results, put the samples into individual zip lock bags and put them in my back to take home
  
• once i got home, i put each of the soil samples back in the basin and into the oven on 100 degrees for 1 hour
• once they had cooled after i took them out, i placed them back in the siplock bags and brought them back to school to re weigh
  

the results i obtained were as follows:

grassy area samples:

1st sample:
all in grams****

• weight of basin alone = 36.2
  
• weight of basin + soil = 45.3
  
• weight after being in the oven = 43.4
  
• % of moisture content = 4.19%

2nd sample:

• weight of basin alone = 39.5
  
• weight of basin + soil = 49.9
  
• weight after being in the oven =46.9
  
• % of moisture content = 6.01%

3rd sample:

• weight of basin alone = 54.3
  
• weight of basin + soil = 66.7
  
• weight after being in the oven = 64.2
  
• % of moisture content = 3.75%

4th sample:

• wight of basin alone = 42.9
  
• weight of basin + soil = 49.7
  
• weight after being in oven = 47.6
  
• % of moisture content = 4.23%

plant area samples from the car park:

1st sample:

• weight of basin alone = 40.2
  
• weight of basin + soil = 48.6
  
• weight after being in oven = 46.5
  
• % of moisture content = 4.3%

2nd sample:

• weight of basin alone = 48.4
• weight of basin + soil = 54.4
• weight after being in the oven = 52.4
• % of moisture content = 3.8%

3rd sample:

• weight of basin alone = 40.6
  
• weight of basin + soil = 46.7
  
• weight after being in the oven = 44.2
  
• % of moisture content = 5.35%

4th sample:

• weight of basin alone = 54.3
• weight of basin + soil = 60.9
  
• weight after being in the oven = 57.5
  
• % of moisture content = 5.58%

from these results, i have been able to draw the conclusion that the soil samples i took did have a decent amount of moisture. however, i think they will be less than other girls in the class. this is because i noticed the soil was dry when i collected it. it was sandy and i dint expect it to be moisture rich and i am eager to find out the results of the organic content test.