Testing Chloride Concentration in South Florida Canal - Research Paper Example

Testing Chloride Concentration in South Florida Canal Report The South Florida canalis made up of various water sources that play important roles in the ecosystem. These water bodies are usually affected by various anthropogenic activities as well as some natural forces i.e. eutrophication that has affected the quality of water specifically the salinity of the water bodies. This has compelled various government and non-governmental agencies to undertake research directed towards formulating solutions to the challenges emerging due to increased saline levels. This discussion is basically a report of the field trip that was undertaken to study the level of salinity (Chlorine) of South Florida water canal. It will also provide report of the analysis of the data that was collected during the field trip as well as recommendations. Introduction Topographical dimension of South Florida occupies a relatively low lying carbonated region. The rainfall pattern is relief with low rainfall distribution of 10mm over a region of 100 kilometer. The region also lies on a bed rock majorly composed of carbonate material; this is believed to have been formed over 120,000 years ago. During this time, it is believed that the sea level was approximately 10 meters above the current level. The canals of South Florida are basically Wetlands, which form an important part of the ecosystem. Research has indicated that the current South Florida Canals are facing a major crisis owing to increasing concentration of chlorine and other chemicals in the water bodies. Specifically, combined effects of agriculture and urban activities have had significant impact on the waters of the South Florida Canal for a period of over 100 years. Apart from projected hyper-salinity in the various water bodies of South Florida Canal, there are factors that have contributed massively towards the deterioration of this natural resource. The first factor is the eutrophication of the wetlands with phosphoric materials. Additionally, past researches have shown that the aquatic life of the wetlands have undergone degradation owing to increased rate of pollution by methyl-mercury. Moreover, there is evidence that anthropogenic activities along the wetlands in the South Florida Canal have contributed to the increased frequency at, which the wetlands dry and affected the natural water flows along the canal. This discussion will focus on one major objective; determination of the concentration of chloride within the Canal and provide brief information in regard to its effects. The results of this discussion will be based on the data that was collected during the field trip. Moreover, it will provide recommendation on what can be done to ensure that concerned stakeholders engage in formulating methods of maintaining the chloride concentration at appropriate levels. Research Hypotheses The South Florida Canal has relatively low concentration of chloride materials; the concentration, which is at 50ppm which, is lower than the normal recommended level as stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. Adjacent sea water has higher quantities of chloride materials, which is at 19,300 ppm. The amount of chloride materials in the canal is relatively higher than the recommended level of 2.0mg per liter. This could be dangerous to the aquatic life that inhabits the wetlands in the canal. Methods used in the Research The research entailed the collection of 62 samples of water from various parts of the South Florida Canal. The samples were divided among four groups with each group consisting of two members or more. Each group was distinct from one another by use of colors as in: Red Group; blue group, Purple and Green group. The samples collected were separated in regard to their geographical location, specifically through the use of latitudinal and longitudinal location. These groups were also responsible for collecting data from the 62 different longitudinal and latitudinal orientations. Similar standards of data collection and analysis were used by the different groups; this was basically geared towards facilitating the reduction of errors that could rise. Data was also organized in regard to replicates, basically indicating different bottles that indicated similar results (Chloride levels) for further analysis. In addition, the replicates also depicted bottles with results that are almost similar. This information is presented in the following dimension: Fig 1: The table below represents the four groups that participated in the data collection and analysis process. Group1 Group2 Group3 Group4 Green Steve Xia Franis Devika Kamari Nicole Frank Danielle Caitlin Figure 2: Represents Replicates Bottles 1 2 27 0.12 0.14 0.13 0.01 55 0.11 0.15 0.13 0.03 15 0.1 0.16 0.13 0.04 23 0.09 0.17 0.13 0.06 47 0.08 0.18 0.13 0.07 45 0.07 0.19 0.13 0.08 18.07 Moreover, each group also undertook its own analysis that was basically performed using their own samples through excel. The analysis provided the average level of chloride concentration from the 62 points from each group. This was further exposed to further discussion by the team on a collective manner. The groups also divided their samples into three categories for purposes of improving accuracy of the analysis. Figures below indicate the manner by, which each group categorized its samples. Blue 19375 Cl 1 2 3 Mean s.d. 1 1000 19.38 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.00 2 500 38.75 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.00 3 200 96.88 0.28 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.00 0.00 0 348.10 0 0.9973 Red 1 2 3 Mean s.d. 0.07 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.01 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.00 0.30 0.28 0.28 0.29 0.01 0 339.48 -2.63834 0.997126 Purple 1 2 3 Mean s.d. 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.00 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.14 0.00 0.28 0.28 0.25 0.27 0.02 0 366.81 -5.61871 0.998797 Green 1 2 3 Mean s.d. 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.00 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.00 0.28 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.00 0 342.92 -3.42931 0.997955 The data was also analyzed and presented by each group in a linear progression as indicated by the diagrams below: Discussion The results from the four groups indicate almost similar results ranging from 0.997126 to 0.998797. This indicates the amount of chloride concentration in the South Florida water canal as well as the amount of silver-nitrate available. The linear diagram indicates chloride concentration in ppm against silver-nitrate. Work Cited "South Florida Wetlands Ecosystem: Biogeochemical Processes in Peat." South Florida Wetlands Ecosystem: Biogeochemical Processes in Peat. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. . Read More