Year 10 Chemistry: CAT3 – Water Testing

In this CAT we will check the water quality in the ponds at the southern end of SCSC. This CAT has three sections. The first is research based, the second is an experiment and the third is about water quality in our environment.

You will be marked according to the rubric at the end of this page, make sure you compare your work with this rubric as you progress.

Part One: Research of Water Testing Parameters

The water quality parameters we will investigate are:

· pH

· Turbidity

· dissolved oxygen

· salinity

· Ammonia concentration

What you need to do:

1. Write a definition of each of the parameters above.

·

2. What levels of these parameters are acceptable in healthy waterways? Research and list these healthy ranges next to your definitions.

·

3. What can impact these levels? List several ways which human activity or natural environmental changes can increase or decrease the levels of the parameters listed.

Part Two: Water Testing at Surf Coast Experimental Report

4. Aim: Why are we testing the water quality of the ponds out the front of the school?

5. Hypothesis: Which of the two college ponds shown above will have the best water quality? Provide ranges for the parameters you think you will find and reasons for your choice.

6. Materials and Method: You are to test the two ponds in front of SCSC on two separate days for each of the following.

Record how you are testing each of the below water quality parameters with brief steps.

pH - Using litmus paper

Step 1:

Turbidity – Using a turbidity cylinder

Step 1:

Ammonia – Using a Kit

Step 1:

Temperature – Using a probe

Step 1:

7. Results: In your workbook or document, draw a table similar to the one shown below and use this to record your experimental data. Make sure you are taking steps to make your measurements as accurate as possible and that you record exactly what these steps are.

My Groups Data

Water Source / Day

pH

Turbidity

Electrical Conductivity

Ammonia

North Pond/ Test 1

South Pond / Test 1

North Pond/ Test 2

South Pond / Test 2

Class Average Data

Water Source / Day

pH

Turbidity

Electrical Conductivity

Ammonia

North Pond/ Test 1

South Pond / Test 1

North Pond/ Test 2

South Pond / Test 2

8. Discussion: Why did we test the water two separate times? Why would it be a good idea to average out the class data?

9. Conclusion: Compare each of the parameters measured to the acceptable levels in healthy waterways. Use this comparison to comment on the health of the waterways tested and the accuracy of your hypotheses.

Part Three: Water Quality in the Environment.

10. Which of the two creeks (shown below) in Torquay as shown in the picture above will have the best water quality. Why do think this would be the case? Provide ranges for the parameters you think you will find and reasons for your choices.

11. Human impact on the Carbon cycle can lead to increase pH of oceans and waterways. Explain (with reference to the photosynthesis chemical equation) why this is the case and relate this fact to the measures of pH you have taken if appropriate.

12. The use of Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) as a fertiliser on farms to the west of Torquay can have an impact on the ammonia levels of the creeks running through Torquay. These are shown in the images below.

With reference to the nitrogen cycle explain why farmers use this type of fertiliser and relate this to your measures of ammonia levels if appropriate.

Year 10 Chemistry CAT3 – Water Quality

Name:

Level of Quality

Above Expected Level

At Expected Level

Below Expected Level

Well Below Expected Level

Part One:

Q1 and Q2 Research

(Science Inquiry)

Research into acceptable water quality parameters detailed, with ranges listed and explained.

Research into acceptable water quality parameters completed and ranges included.

Limited Research into acceptable water quality parameters completed. Ranges not correctly listed.

Little research about water quality parameters included.

Part One:

Q3 Impacts of water quality parameters

(Science Understanding)

Impacts of humans on water quality parameters explained in detail. Acceptable ranges referred to in response.

Impacts of humans on water quality parameters explained, and ranges mentioned in response.

Impacts of humans on water quality parameters mentioned, but lacking detail.

Human impacts on water quality parameters not explained.

Part Two:

Q4-6 Completion of Experiment

(Science Inquiry)

Aim, Hypothesis, Methods and Materials all completed in detail to explain the experiment. Results recorded clearly.

Aim, Hypothesis, Methods and Materials all completed and explain the experiment. Results recorded in table.

Aim, Hypothesis, Methods and Materials only partially Results recorded in table but difficult to interpret.

Aim, Hypothesis, Methods and Materials not completed. Results table incomplete.

Part Two:

Q8-9 Discussion and Conclusion of Experiment

(Thinking Processes and Understanding)

Discussion and Conclusion show reflection and interpretation of the experimental results

Discussion and Conclusion shows some reflection and interpretation of the experimental results

Discussion and Conclusion shows limited and interpretation of the experimental results

Discussion and Conclusion lacking detail, and do not interpret the meaning of the results.

Part Three:

Q11 Predicting Water Quality of waterways

(Human Endeavour)

Sound reasoning, and examples from experiment, used to form a detailed response.

Reasoning used in response. Results from the experiment referred to briefly.

Limited reasoning used in response, and results from the experiment not referred to in answer.

No evidence or reasoning evident in answer.

Part Three:

Q11-12 Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles

(Science Understanding)

Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles explained in responses to support answers. Responses detailed.

Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles briefly explained in responses to support answers.

Limited explanation of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles responses. Responses lacking in detail.

No explanation of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles given in responses.

Completed on time

Completed in detail and posted on time

Completed and posted on time

Completed but not posted on time

Completed in minimal detail and not posted on time.