Susquehanna River Lab Report

On the trip with SWEEP the health of the Susquehanna River was studied. In order to do that, chemical test, biological tests, and physical observations were made. Chemical testing showed the more scientific side of water quality, such as the amount of nitrates, phosphates, the pH values, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Searching for macroinvertebrates was the biological testing. Certain macroinvertebrates and the quantity found determines how healthy the stream is. Physical observations such as observing the grasses, the rapids, and looking for birds nearby can also indicate good water quality. It is important to test the health of the river because the Susquehanna greatly affects all of those who live near it. All of the tests done show that the quality of the Susquehanna river is overall very healthy.

Some include, chemical testing, biological tests, and physical observations. Chemical testing consists of testing for the amount of nitrates, phosphates, the pH values, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. These aspects of the river were all tested because they can show how healthy the river is. Testing these aspects is very simple but requires a tool kit. After the testing is done, in order to determine how healthy the river actually is, tests can be done to show the levels of chemicals, water clarity, the temperature and more. Nitrates should be greater than or equal to one parts per million (ppm), phosphates should be less than or equal to .1 ppm, and the pH values should be about equal to seven. The dissolved oxygen in the river depends on the temperature, if the temperature is cooler than the dissolved oxygen levels will be higher, but the recommended amount of dissolved oxygen should be greater than or equal to five. For a healthy river the turbidity levels should be 120 centimeters