Controlled Variables

The variables that i kept the same when collecting, and completing my investigation included:

• Where the samples came from - Gunnamatta Bay
• The time the samples were taken - between 5 and 6pm
• The amount of times each sample was tested - Twice
• The amount of water demineralised water (where required) added
• How long the pH probe was left to read of the pH of the samples - 1 minute
• How long the soil samples were kept in the oven during moisture, organic content testing
• The teperature of the oven during moisture and organic content testing
• The size of beakers and filters used kept the same for each individual test
  

Plan for this week

This week I definately plan to finish my first lot of samples.

• On monday I have ordered the turbidity tube and silver nitrate for the water.
• On tuesday, i will test the presence of phosphates in water and test the moisture content of my soil to leave overnight (Obviously I wont be able to test all my samples in the incubator at once so this may take two days)
• On wednesday, I will test the organic content of the soil
• On thursday, I will finalise my results for each eperiment
• On Saturday, I will get my next lot of samples

Sydney 7 Day Forecast
Sunday -Showers Min: 13°C Max: 19°CUV: Low
Monday -Possible shower Min: 13°C Max: 19°CUV: Moderate
Tuesday -Possible shower Min: 10°C Max: 19°CUV: Moderate
Wednesday -Increasing sunshine Min: 11°C Max: 19°CUV: Moderate
Thursday -Mostly sunnyMin: 10°C Max: 20°CUV: Moderate
Friday -Cloud increasingMin: 10°C Max: 21°CUV: Moderate
Saturday -Mostly cloudy Min: 10°C Max: 21°CUV: moderate

http://weather.smh.com.au/local.jsp?lt=aploc&lc=624

Salt levels of soil and water AFTER rainfall

I have developed a key which determines to amount of salt present in the soil/water

KEY
1 drop = Extremly salty (turns milky instantly)
2 drops = Very salty (turns milky after 2 drops)
3 drops = Salty (turns milky after 3 drops)
4 drops = Mildly Salty (turns milky after 4 drops)
5 drops = Low Salt (turns milky slowly needs 5 drops)

TEST 1 -Water Samples A-H.

Sample A = 1 drop
Sample B = 1 drop
Sample C = 1 drop
Sample D = 2 drops
Sample E = 1 drop
Sample F = 1 drop
Sample G = 2 drops
Sample H = 1 drop
AVERAGE 1.25

Test 2- Water Samples A-H

Sample A = 2 drops
Sample B = 1 drop
Sample C = 2 drops
Sample D = 1 drop
Sample E = 2 drops
Sample F = 2 drops
Sample G = 2 drops
Sample H = 1 drop
AVERAGE 1.625

These results conclude that the salt content in the water is relatively high, however, this is to be expected as it is seawater and therefore contains a much higher content of salt than fresh water would have.

Salt levels for soil samples A-H.

Sample A = 3 drops
Sample B = 2 drops
Sample C = 3 drops
Sample D = 3 drops
Sample E = 2 drops
Sample F = 2 drops
Sample G = 3 drops
Sample H = 3 drops
AVERAGE 2.62

Test 2 -Salt levels for soil samples

Sample A = 2 drops
Sample B = 2 drops
Sample C = 3 drops
Sample D = 2 drops
Sample E = 2 drops
Sample F = 2 drops
Sample G = 3 drops
Sample H = 2 drops
AVERAGE 2.25

I really was not sure what to expect during this test. I did expect it to contain a little bit more salt as this data was collected after rainfall, however, still remains at an average between 2.62 and 2.25 drops and very salty

Equipment Needed

The following are lists of equipment needed in order to carry out each experiment and the collection of the samples.

Collecting Samples:
8 zip lock bags - all the same size
8 two litre water bottles
1 small spade/shovel

pH test for water samples:
8 small sized beakers
8 water samples taken from Gunnamatta Bay
1 pH probe
1 data logger
1 bottle demineralised water

pH test for soil
8 small sized beakers
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay
1 bottle of demineralised water
1 data logger
1 pH probe

Presence of salt (sodium chloride)for water:
8 small sized beakers
1 bottle silver nitrate
8 water samples from Gunnamatta Bay
Gloves

Presence of salt (sodium chloride) for soil:
8 small sized beakers
8 small sized funnels
8 pieces filter paper
1 bottle silver nitrate
1 spoon
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay


Moisture Content of soil:
1 oven
8 evaporating dishes
1 spoon
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay


Organic content of soil
1 oven
8 evaporating dishes
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay
1 spoon

Texture and colour of Soil:
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay

Possible parent rock of sand:
8 soil samples from Gunnamatta Bay

Turbidity of water:
1 turbidity tube
8 water samples from Gunnamatta Bay

Evidence of pollution:
Photographs from Gunnamatta Bay
Research of the suburb of Gunnamatta Bay

Tests that need to be conducted

From the samples i collected at Gunnamatta Bay, the following tests hav to be conducted in order to collect the necessary data:
Moisture Content
pH
Presence of salt (sodium chloride)
Organic content
Texture & colour
Possible parent rock
Turbidity
Evidence of pollution
These tests are to be carried out on the water and soil samples that i collected from Gunnamatta Bay where they applied i.e. only water can be tested for turbidity

Open ended investigation Plan

I just realised I saved this as a draft when i first started and forgot to post it. Woops

Throughout this investigation, I will procede to do this in steps which are as follows:

• Choose a suitable area for my research - Gunnamatta Bay
• Do some rough research on the area to gain a bit of background information.
• Collect a current map of the area along with pictures to help illustrate what i intend to do.
• Choose the areas in which to take samples from in order to complete my testing.
• Mark these areas on a photograph/map.
• Go to Gunnamatta Bay and collect the necessary samples from the areas indicated.
• Take the samples into school.
• Completes risk assessment and hand to Ms B or Ms Kalt to signand start testing.
• Scan a copy of risk assessment into blog.
• Compile an equipment list to give to philip in order to start testing.
• Carry out the different tests over a number of different days
• For soil: pH, presence of salt, moisture and organic content, texture and colourband parent rock.
• For water samples: turbidity, pH, presence of salt and evidence of pollution.
• Record results of these tests into blog.
• Complete the final part of the assignment, the Scientific reports.

Regions of the Bay subject to pollute the area