Collect Water from Two Different Water Bodies Around You and Study Them for pH Clarity and Presence of any Living Organism
How is pH Important to Living Organisms Answer Key
The physical qualities of water include temperature, color, taste, odor, etc. these qualities are determined by touch, sight, smell, and taste. For example, we can check the temperature by touch, color, floating particles, turbidity and suspended solids by sight, and taste and odor by smell. Our goal here is to study different water bodies for pH, clarity and the presence of any living organisms. Water forms about 75 % of the earth’s surface. It is vital for all forms of life. Water is the habitat for many aquatic organisms. Here, we will focus on the study of the pH of different samples of water
In water, you will find many kinds of living organisms; some are visible to the naked eye while some may be microscopic. Sometimes you will also find suspended particles, a variety of plants and algae which have unique qualities to survive in water. Some conditions that control the quality of water are different types of plants, animals and their population, the turbidity of the water, and the pH levels of the water. Let us study an experiment by exploring different types of water bodies for pH, clarity, and presence of any living organisms.
Aim
To study and measure the pH level, clarity, presence of microbes, and other living organisms in two different water bodies.
Apparatus and Materials Required
Secchi’s Disk
Tape
Pins
Universal Indicator solution
Dropper
Tile
pH
Beaker
Test tube
Coverslips
Filter paper
glass slides
Needles
Compound microscope.
Procedure
To study pH levels of the two water bodies:
Take two different water samples from two different bodies in a clean test tube.
Label them as A and B.
Dip the pH stripes in both the test tubes, which have different water samples.
Keep the strips on the tile and let the strips dry.
Simultaneously, pH levels of the water samples can also be found through the Universal Indicator Solution or (UI solution).
With the help of a dropper, take five drops of UI solution in both A and B test tubes.
Note the change in color of both water samples in A and B, and compare them with the color chart to identify the pH level.
To study the clarity or turbidity of the water sample:
Move to the middle of a pond with the help of a boat.
Dip the Secchi’s disc into the water until the black and white segments get immersed.
Mark and label the length on the rope, where the disk is not visible with a pin as “A”.
Take the disc up, mark, and label the length of the rope where the disc becomes visible again as “B”.
Take a meter tape and measure the length of the Mark A to B.
By using the measurements, find the mean length of the rope by using the formula, X= (A+B)/2.
To study the presence of living organisms in the two water bodies:
Collect water samples from a pond and transfer them into the test tube.
Leave the sample water for a while until the sediments get settled at the bottom.
Take a drop of water from the test tube to the glass slide
On the slide, place a coverslip using a needle.
Using a compound microscope, observe the entire slide.
FAQs on Collect Water from Two Different Water Bodies Around You and Study Them for pH Clarity and Presence of any Living Organism
1. What are Normal pH Levels?
The pH is the count of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in an aqueous solution. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are taken as less acidic and with a pH level greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. The normal level of pH for pure water is 7 at 25°C.
Plants do best in the pH range of approximately 6.0 to 7.0. But, some plants may prefer more acidic or alkaline conditions, such as blueberries (4.0 to 6.0) or hyacinth (6.5 to 7.5).
The pH range of 6.5-9 is best for most of the fish. In aquariums, the water is supplied with bicarbonate and carbonate ions to prevent pH changes.
2. What is the Importance of pH for Soil?
Under acidic conditions, many minerals in the soil become soluble such as toxic aluminium. Useful phosphorus and molybdenum are less available at lower pH values. In alkaline (basic) conditions, the land can become deficient in zinc, copper, iron, manganese, boron and phosphorus.
pH is a necessary quantity that reflects the chemical requirements of a solution. The pH factor can control the availability of nutrients, biological functions, and microbial activity, and the behaviour of chemicals or control the pH of the soil, water. In Agriculture and gardening, different factors are affected by soil pH, such as microbial activity, fungal growth, availability of nutrients, and root growth.
3. What is the procedure to measure the pH levels of two water bodies?
Take two different water samples from two different bodies in a clean test tube.
Label them as A and B.
Dip the pH stripes in both the test tubes, which have different water samples.
Keep the strips on the tile and let the strips dry.
Simultaneously, pH levels of the water samples can also be found through the Universal Indicator Solution or (UI solution).
With the help of a dropper, take five drops of UI solution in both A and B test tubes.
Note the change in colour of both water samples in A and B, and compare them with the colour chart to identify the pH level.
4. What is the procedure to find the turbidity of the water sample?
Move to the middle of a pond with the help of a boat.
Dip the Secchi’s disc into the water until the black and white segments get immersed.
Mark and label the length on the rope, where the disk is not visible with a pin as “A”.
Take the disc up, mark, and label the length of the rope where the disc becomes visible again as “B”.
Take a meter tape and measure the length of the Mark A to B.
By using the measurements, find the mean length of the rope by using the formula, X= (A+B)/2.
5. What is the procedure to find the living organisms in the two water bodies?
To study the presence of living organisms in the two water bodies (preferably pond water)
Collect water samples from a pond and transfer them into the test tube.
Leave the sample water for a while until the sediments get settled at the bottom of the test tube.
Take a pinch or a drop of water from the test tube to the glass slide.
On the slide, place a coverslip using a needle.
Using a compound microscope, observe the entire slide.
6. What is turbidity of water?
Turbidity is a measurement to indicate the presence of suspended particles: the more the particles, the higher will be the turbidity. Turbidity is the measure of the cloudiness of the water caused by impurities. Turbidity is the measure of the cloudiness of the water caused by impurities. The sediments that get settled at the bottom are usually clay, silt, fine organic, and inorganic matter, algae, and microscopic organisms, etc.
An electronic meter is used to measure low turbidity level changes. Turbidity is measured in NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units.)
7. How important is pH in water?
Water with a too low or too high pH value can be harmful to fishing and other aquatic life. At low pH, toxic metals like aluminum can enter the water with higher concentrations. Some nitrogen-carrying chemicals become more harmful, and the metabolic processes of fish can work less efficiently. Water with a pH value of less than 5 inhibits reproduction or leads to death, the young fish and other aquatic organisms are easy victims. Water with a pH lower than 6.5 can hinder growth.
At pH values greater than 9, most ammonium ions are converted to ammonia, which is toxic to fish. This problem gets worse with higher temperatures. Water with a pH value between 9 and 10 tends to inhibit growth, and water with a pH value of 11 or greater will kill fish.
