Lab 9 Freshwater Ecosystems

For this lab, I chose to utilize Prescott city water from my tap.

Collecting the water

Testing the temperature 

Testing the turbidity

Testing dissolved oxygen levels

Testing the pH level

Testing the phosphate levels

Testing coliform levels

Test Factor	Result	Rank
Temperature	22 Degrees, no temp change	Not applicable; tap water
Turbidity	0 JTU	4  Excellent
Dissolved Oxygen	4 ppm, 46% Saturation	1  Poor
BOD	To be determined (11/5/15)	N/A
Nitrate	5 ppm	2  Fair
pH	8	3  Good
Phosphate	2 ppm	3  Good
Coliform	Negative	3  Good

 The results found here were fairly neutral results.  This is nice to know, seeing as this is Prescott's drinking water.  Because this is tap water, I feel it does not impact an ecosystem the way a pond or river might. 

It is noted here that there is an excellent rating for the turbidity; in nature, this would mean there is strong clarity in the water. This would mean the water was not as effected by algal blooms or urban runoffs. The dissolved oxygen count was graded as 'poor' here. If this were the case in nature, this would be negative, as aquatic animals also need oxygen to survive; this is showing the concentration is not very high.

Part B: Thinking about the World's Water

I read "The Red Sea - Dead Sea Project Update" by Kristina Donnelly.  This piece explores the strengths and barriers of the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Dead Sea. Since  the 1850's, there have been discussions of how to create greater transportation options through the bodies of water. By the early 1900's, there were discussions of how to expand energy sources by creating a canal between the Mediterranean and the Red sea. Additionally, there have been discussions through the late 20th and 21st century of how to create more fresh water and restore the Dead Sea. Unfortunately, the barriers related to economics, politics, and population have previously halted all progress within these domains. At the time of the report, very little had been accomplished towards the goals of the 'Combined Plan".

When reading this, I felt frustrated. I believe so much of our world gets tangled up in the bureaucratic run around. It seems everyone has an issue with everyone else; if we can't all figure out how to put our differences aside, we will end up killing our planet!  On a more optimistic note, I think it is wonderful these countries are willing to at least talk about it. I think shift will happen only when the benefit is far greater than the potential responsibility.