​CHICAGO WATER QUALITY

Our project was created to investigate the water quality of Chicago’s bodies of water. To do such we tested the many physical, biological, chemical factors in such including water chemistry, algae indicators, turbidity, and macroinvertebrate presence. Phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, pH,ammonia, and dissolved oxygen all indicate the water quality. Dissolved oxygen shows the amount of oxygen present in the body of water and is needed for fish and other aquatic life to survive. We test nitrogen through the chemical tests of ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO₂−) which is all important for plant growth and agriculture. Too much nitrogen can overstimulate plant and algae growth, use up dissolved oxygen, and in drinking water restricts transport of oxygen to bloodstream in humans. Phosphate is significant for plant growth and can also kill oxygen. Algae flourishes under the right conditions, most generally the amount of phosphorus in the water. Algae is beneficial to bodies of water, such as lakes. Macroinvertebrate presence are yet another indicator to water quality. Taking in these factors we get a sufficient amount of analysis to the health of water around Chicago.

Project Details

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Sampling Locations:

You can sample from our locations--North Pond, Pickleweed Pond, South Lagoon, and the Lily Caldwell Pool (In the Lincoln Park Zoo)--or you can sample from any freshwater body near you in Chicago.

 

Methods/Procedures:

Water chemistry:

For our project, you will need solutions to test the following Chemicals: Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, Phosphate, pH,  and Dissolved Oxygen (DO).

To start, you must go to the location that you will sample from. First, take the temperature of the water with a water thermometer. Then, fill your vials with 5 mL of water from your site. Then, follow the instructions from your Water Chemistry Kit to test for each chemical. For the DO, take the special 5 mL vial and close it underwater to insure that no air gets in, for this can affect the results. Once all of your tests are ready, compare their color to the key provided in your kit to determine the parts per million (ppm) in the water. Next, fill your turbidity tube all the way up. Let the water flow out of the tube and wait until the disc turns and stop the water flow and check the level.  Document your results in Epicollect and sync your data.

Our water chemistry kit includes:

• Dissolved Oxygen

• Nitrate

• pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Phosphate

 

Collecting Macroinvertebrates:

We gathered macroinvertebrates using two methods; the baited traps and dipnets. For the baited traps we constructed our own using plastic bottles, here’s how:

• Use empty 2L soda bottles and cut about half an inch from the label. Invert your new funnel and tape it together.

• Punch out holes, one on each side to string through rope for tying the trap down.

• Add in ½ cup of dry cat food to use as bait.

• Drop it down to the designated body of water, making sure the trap stays below water to ensure maximum macroinvertebrate findings.

Dipnet Procedure:

• When using the dip nets, place the net in the water, about one centimeter above the base of the body of water.

• Move the dip net across your body about 2 meters from right to left.

• As you move the dipnet, carefully tap the bottom of the water to help catch the macroinvertebrates.

• Remove the dip nets from the water and place them on the plastic trays.

• Shake all of the remnants from the net into the tray

• Observe, count, and the collect the different macroinvertebrates found in the tray

The procedure for catching macroinvertebrates using dip nets is fairly simple.

Retrieve the baited traps the next day. The dip nets are collected the day of. Collect macroinvertebrates by using pipettes and/or tweezers and placing them in glass jars or vials. Use 91% isopropyl alcohol to preserve the macroinvertebrates. This helps to identify the organisms later in the lab using microscopes.

 

Macroinvertebrates

We gathered a variety of macroinvertebrates in the bottled traps and dip nets. Some of them were: crayfish, dragonfly larvae, aquatic worms, whirligig beetles, zebra mussels, scuds, riffle beetles, and other unidentified species.  

 

Algae strainer indicator:

We used a coffee aeropress to strain algae from the bodies of water.

• Place coffee filter in the cap and secure it in the chamber.

• Use 1000 mL of the water and press it down using the presser. Unlock the strainer and check out the algae indicator quality using a color chart. Collect the filter and add it to the sample bag. Label the plastic bag with the field number.

 

 

Project Summary