Lab #1

Date:
Friday 13th November 2015
Title:
YSI Water quality parameters
Aim:
To measure pH, Water temperature, Dissolved oxygen, Conductivity, Total dissolved solids,
ORP, using YSI water quality meter.
Materials
YSI water quality meter
Method:
1. The river was entered downstream making sure to enter facing upstream without disturbing
sediment below
2. YSI water quality meter was activated and attached probe was placed into the stream
3. Readings on the meter were allowed to stabilise
4. Reading of various parameters were recorded for further analysis

Results:

Blanchisseuse River Parameters

Parameter

Site1

Site2

Site3

Site4

Temperature in

23.84

23.18

22.07

24.4

8.50

9.13

9.02

9.27

0.98

0.133

0.09

0.210

0.305

0.204

0.139

0.324

pH

8.00

8.23

8.58

7.98

ORP

-0.1

16.7

41.9

28.4

Total suspended

60

20

60

degrees Celsius
Dissolved oxygen
(mg/l)
Total dissolved
solids (mg/l)
Conductivity(ms/
cm)

solids (mg/l)

Site 1: Small stream close to orange residential building

Site2: Stream by bridge with Scotts quarry sign
Site3: Small stream at the side of road within ASA Wright Nature Centre compound
Site 4: Large stream near residential area lowest in the watercourse
Aripo Water quality parameters:
Parameter

Site1

Site2

Site3

Site4

Temperature in

24.9

24.69

26.02

24.63

degrees Celsius

Dissolved oxygen

9.15

8.33

10.70

9.33

0.224

0.238

0.242

0.152

0.0345

0.366

0.373

0.234

pH

8.01

7.83

7.95

7.94

ORP

16.6

-9.0

-25.3

-6.3

Total suspended

20

60

(mg/l)
Total dissolved
solids (mg/l)
Conductivity(ms/
cm)

solids (mg/l)

Site 1: Water cress farms upper course

Site2: Stream by bridge with cocoa plantations
Site3: Valencia bypass large stream under bridge
Site 4: Large stream under bridge
Discussions & conclusions:
Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen contained in a body of water measured in mg/l.
Kemker Christine (2013) explains that Dissolved oxygen enters water through the air or as a
plant by-product. From the air, oxygen can slowly diffuse across the waters surface from the
surrounding atmosphere, or be mixed in quickly through aeration, Firstly looking at dissolved
oxygen content of each stream we can see that site 2 and site 4 have the two highest dissolved

oxygen content at 9.13 mg/l and 9.27 respectively, whereas sites 1and 3 had the two lower
dissolved oxygen content values at 8.5mg/l and 9.02 mg/l. 1, .Site 2s dissolved oxygen content
could be as a result of some form of eutrophication (high levels of algae, algal bloom caused by
the presence of nitrates and phosphates in excess amount). From pictures of site 2 we can see that
the water does have a green colouration, using this observation we can confirm the presence of
algae in the water. Kemker Christine (2013) continues While most photosynthesis takes place at
the surface (by shallow water plants and algae), a large portion of the process takes place
underwater (by seaweed, sub-surface algae and phytoplankton).
As for total dissolved solids we can see from the table of results that site 1 and 4 had the two
highest dissolved solids contents at 0.98mg/l and 0.210mg/l. According to TDS education centre
(2012) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are the total amount of mobile charged ions, including
minerals, salts or metals dissolved in a given volume of water. The EPA Secondary Regulations
advise a maximum contamination level (MCL) of 500mg/litre. No sites managed to reach
anywhere close to this level however 00.
site Using the results obtained we can see that sites 4 & 1 had the highest conductivity readings
among the four sites sampled. Sharon Behar (1997) goes on to state that Freshwater streams
ideally should have conductivity between 0.15 to 0.5 mS/cm to support diverse aquatic life.
Since none of our sites sampled went over this level we can say that in terms of conductivity they
are all amongst safe levels. Conductivity is mostly influenced by dissolved mineral ions. Using
this information we can see the relation since site 1 and 4 also had the highest dissolved solids
level.

Now speaking in terms of pH The U.S EPA explains that Different species flourish within
different ranges of pH, with the optima for most aquatic organisms falling between pH 6.5-8.
U.S. EPA water quality criteria for pH in freshwater suggest a range of 6.5 to 9 some of our
sites including site 3 which had a pH of 8.58 are on the edge of being environmentally unsafe.
This could possibly be a result of the use of fertilisers in the nearby christophene farms running
off into the watercourse or possibly some sort of chemical agent used by the quarry.
ORP or Oxidation Reduction Potential as defined by Randy Holmes- Farley (2012) is The
oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of marine aquaria is a measure of the relative oxidizing
power of the water. A negative ORP means that the water has a low oxidising power whereas a
Positive ORP means that the water has a high Oxidising power. Sites 1, 2 & 3 had positive ORP
values. This could result in lessened lifespan for aquatic organisms in the stream.

Aripo:
In terms of dissolved oxygen for the Aripo sites when compared with the Blanchisseuse River
sites, Aripo River had an overall higher concentration. Reiterating on The US EPA Water Quality
Standards and Guidelines, Most freshwater fish are able to survive between 3mg/l - 6 mg/l of
dissolved oxygen. All sites exceeded these limits and a suitable for sustaining life however this
can also be taken as an indication of eutrophication (Algal bloom due to high levels of dissolved
minerals in water). Site 3 and 4 have the highest dissolved oxygen contents at; 10.70 & 9.33 mg/l
and while this is good for supporting life special attention must be paid to prevent further algal
blooms. Sites 1 and 2 however not as high in dissolved oxygen still are within the appropriate
ranges to support life.

Total dissolved solids are also in higher concentrations when compared to the Blanchisseuse
River .This was expected since there were clear indications in the appearances of the rivers to
much higher levels of pollution .This is especially evident in sites ,2, 3 and 4 for Aripo. Sites 2
and 3 have the highest concentrations of Total dissolved solids. Naturally we would expect for
site 4 to have the highest concentration from its appearance (dark brown colour). A possible
means to explain this could be in the speed of flow of the river and the method used to take the
samples of water. As this watercourse (site 4) is faster flowing as well as the widest there is the
possibility of dilution among the minerals and dissolved substances in the water. Another
explanation could also be due to the sensitivity of the equipment being used.
Dealing with conductivity levels In the Aripo River these levels are again higher overall and thus
means that the Aripo River is more likely to conduct an electric current. This is an indication of
the amount of dissolved conductive substances in the river e.g. Iron .Again the ranges for safe
conductivity levels are between 0.15 to 0.5 mS/cm in which all sites are within these safe ranges.
pH levels for Aripo river sites were closer to neutral than Blanchisseuse river samples. Sites 1
and ran3 are leaning more to an alkaline state with vales of 8.01 and 7.95. Water pH ranges for.
U.S. EPA water quality criteria for pH in freshwater suggest a range of 6.5 to 9. None of our sites
exceeded this range but special attention must be paid to site 1 to see that it does not soon exceed
the range with its more alkaline vale of 8.01 which is very close to the 9 pH for safe ranges.
ORP for Aripo sites were mostly in the negative ranges meaning they had a low oxidising power.
Site 1 for Aripo however, site close to water cress farms, had a high positive oxidising power
with a value of + 16.6. Meaning close attention must be paid to this site since a positive ORP
value could result in lessened lifespan of aquatic life.

Final Discussion:
To summarise the work conducted .Our research was based on investigating the level of pollution
in two rivers in Trinidad; The Blanchisseuse River and The Aripo River. Both sites could be
related in terms of their proximity and involvement in agricultural and residential activities. For
example The Blanchisseuse River is extremely close to christophene farms and a national
limestone quarry branch. As well as in the Case of Aripo River in which it is located close to a
Water cress farm as well as a Cocoa Plantation. Conducting our tests was done with the
assistance of the WASA Water Resource Agency. Our test included; pH, Nitrates , Phosphates
,Sulphates , Iron , Dissolved Oxygen, natural water quality parameters ( conductivity , ORP,
Total Dissolved substances, Total Suspended Solids).Some of our results especially in labs for
detecting nitrate levels there were some discrepancies that were possibly due to the speed of flow
of the watercourse interfering in the distribution of substances in the water and collection of the
water samples as well as the amount of water in each part of the watercourse. Overall in terms of
each parameter measured; when considering dissolved oxygen Aripo River had higher amounts
mostly due to the increased presence of algae and aquatic plants. For nitrate levels we also found
that Aripo had higher amounts of nitrates again confirmed by the increased presence of algae and
aquatic plants. Phosphate amounts were highest in the Blanchisseuse River this could be explain
by the heavy use of fertilisers in the christophene. According to research done by the Cropper

Foundation the Christophene farms require large amounts of fertiliser to allow the crop of
Christophene to grow properly. The runoff from these areas of farmland can eventually enter the
groundwater and subsequently the Blanchisseuse river water course or can directly enter the
watercourse .Sulphate levels were in greater quantities in the Blanchisseuse River as it is
possible to be release from the breakdown from mineral deposit sources in rocks from the quarry.
Finally for Iron we had overall higher amounts in the Blanchisseuse River sites due to quarrying
activity and the release of mineral iron from the breakdown of rocks by the quarry . In
conducting all of the appropriate tests (; pH, Nitrates, Phosphates, Sulphates, Iron, Dissolved
Oxygen, natural water quality parameters (conductivity, ORP, Total Dissolved substances, Total
Suspended Solids) we found that site 1 for both Aripo and Blanchisseuse rivers were around or
even surpassed the recommended ranges for dissolved oxygen content with values for
Blanchisseuse being 8.50mg/l and Aripo having a value of 9.15mg/l. Aripo had the higher value
of dissolved oxygen due to increased presence of algae and aquatic plant life. In terms of Nitrate
levels site 1 for both under the safe ranges at below 10mg/l. Aripo site 1 (upper course) had a
value of 0.7 mg/l whereas Blanchisseuse River had 0.6 mg/.
Phosphorus levels for both Blanchisseuse and Aripo surpassed the safe ranges at 2.75mg/l and
0.24mg/l whereas the safe range was between 0.005 to 0.05 mg/L. Sulphates were below safe
ranges being below under 250mg/l with Blanchisseuse river site 4 having a value of 21 mg/l and
Aripo having a value of 0.1 mg/l. The greater presence of sulphates and phosphorus for the
Blanchisseuse was due to the effect of rock breakdown and the release of mineral deposits from
the quarrying efforts in the area. This is the same case for iron in which both areas were able to
stay below safe ranges again with values of 2.01 mg/l and 0.08mg/l. To reiterate the safe ranges
for iron are below 300mg/l.

It is interesting to note that site 1 for Blanchisseuse is in the lower course of the river whereas in
Aripo it is the upper course that was sampled.
Site 2 for both sites (Blanchisseuse and Aripo), surpassed the recommended ranges for dissolved
oxygen this also holds true for all other sites in both locations. For nitrate levels in site 2 were
also both below 10mg/l safe ranges. Phosphate levels were again surpassed by all sites in both
locations except for site 2 in Aripo location with a safe value of 0.02mg/l. Sulphates are also
again below 250mg/l safe ranges for all sites with site1 in Aripo being the lowest with a value of
0.1mg/l followed by site 2 in Aripo with a value of 0.92mg/l .This was possibly due to the
extensive presence of vegetation absorbing the sulphates out of the water. Finally Iron in which
all sites again for both locations were below safe ranges with site 3 for Blanchisseuse and Site 2
for Aripo were both the lowest concentrations of iron with no detectable traces, values of
0.00mg/l.
Conclusion:
In conclusion. The results of our ; pH, Nitrates , Phosphates ,Sulphates , Iron , Dissolved
Oxygen, natural water quality parameters ( conductivity , ORP, Total Dissolved substances, Total
Suspended Solids) test assisted by the WASA Water Resource Agency all showed evidence of
some form of pollution occurring in at least one of the parameters investigated. The main issues
were the disposal of garbage into the watercourses as well as heavy sedimentation of streams and
the presence of an excess of phosphates .Efforts to reduce these factors can be found in the
recommendations section of this report. Information on the safe ranges were all based on
internationally accepted water quality standards from the EMA .All sites exceeded ranges for

their amounts of phosphates and thus special attention and measurements should be put into
place to manage this first .