Pike River Test Results

Oliver Bell
Block 4 Chem. Mr Gransee

Rivers are no longer self-reliant; they depend on humans for their cleanliness nearly completely
now. Past abuse of these rivers, their inability to overcome destructive human activities, and the fact
that they are reliant on us makes it a point to continue to keep cleaning and protecting more rivers from
harm, for they cannot clean themselves so quickly.
The past abuse of the rivers make them unable to overcome the pollution the people have put
into them. For example, Bubbly Creek in Chicago is still caked with animal carcasses and offal. These
slaughterhouse dumping were over 100 years ago and Bubbly Creek has become stagnant. The water of
Bubbly Creek can no longer flow to start the decomposition process of the contaminants, therefore they
will most likely sit there until people decide to clean out the putrid water body. Also, the main Chicago
River that runs through the city still is not as clean as it could be. When it rains enough, waste deposits
overflow and then become run-off into the main river system. Even Chicagos water treatment plant
does not know all the ways to get pollutants out of citizens drinking water; theyre still working on
different ways to completely purify the water so it isnt a risk putting the water through the pipes and
back into the rivers.

Rivers are usually self-reliant and able to overcome stressful things that nature brings; not
humans. The fact that rivers naturally meander also proves it is their way of renewal. The University of
Washington states that ...rivers obtain nutrients by changing their courses, and this they do all the
time...Rivers have to meander: that is how they renew themselves. It is a natural way of shedding any
pollutants theyre acquired. Parts of the Pike Creek are mainly underground due to meandering via
erosion. It was most likely an adaptation to the urbanization of the Root-Pike watershed. Plus, nothing is
how it was before humans, so why would rivers be? Rivers will change no matter what, and when they
do its proven that it changes them biologically and physically for the better of their health.
Humans now must intervene to clean rivers because the rivers cannot clean themselves without
decades or even centuries for noticeable recovery. There would not be organizations completely
focused on river conservation if they werent in danger. The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was
established in 1968 and protects tens of thousands of miles of rivers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
from federal intrusion. The places they protect are considered private property and the government is
no longer allowed to build dams or anything that would jeopardize the rivers health. (add more)
Therefore, tests to make sure weve successfully taking care of our rivers are essential. From the
mistreatment of the Chicago River and the natural meandering of the Pike Creek, the tests will show the
self-reliancy our destructive activities have taken away. If we dont do something, the rivers will
inevitably go beyond our help, just like Bubbly Creek. Nature can only do so much to clean up our waste
and our mistakes; we have to intervene now.
For the following water tests, the data was collected in the Pike Creek in Petrified Springs,
specifically the west entrance on Berryville Rd. right off the north side of the first bridge. The data was
collected in the morning on September 26. The tests used were temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH,
turbidity, biotic index, habitat, and stream flow.
The specific test that was focused on was dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen measures how
much of said gas is dissolved in a body of water. It also tells which species can possibly be present. D.O.
depends on turbidity and temperature, but photosynthesis also has an effect on D.O. levels. Using a
Hach D.O. test kit, an area of water was used for a sample in a glass bottle (careful not to have air
bubbles present.) Then, the first chemical was added and was vigorously swirled to dissolve the
chemical within. Then about a minute was waited until another vigorous swirl. When done with the
swirling, the second chemical was added, and then the third. A solution was then added slowly, counting
the drops, which turned the then yellow mixture a lighter yellow slowly. When it was a successful light
yellow, another liquid was added slowly, which turned it a deep indigo, until very quickly it turned clear.

The number of drops added all together was recorded, and then the process was repeated twice more.
The average of all the recordings of the total drops added is then averaged and the number left is the
mg/L (milligrams per liter) measurement. The measurement for the Pike Creek was 8.5 mg/L with a 90%
saturation. Overall, the Pike Creeks water is fairly healthy.
Concerning the other six tests, temperature tells us the temperature and can determine what
fish are possibly present. Eroding soil can affect the temperature of a river because of excess particles
that absorb sunlight. Ideally, the temperature should stay below 15-20C; the Pike Rivers temperature
was at 18.3C (63F.) pH determines the alkalinity and acidity of the water. Sudden changes in the pH of
a river could signal contamination and should be watched. The Pike Rivers pH was 7.83 pH. Levels from
6.5-8.5 are usually okay, but over that can become slightly alkaline, and anywhere below could become
acidic. Turbidity is a measure of the waters clarity. It is a very obvious measure of a waters quality and
is also a great indicator of run-off and industrial pollution. An acceptable measurement is 5 NTU. The
biotic index test takes account of all organisms with high and low pollution tolerances within the river. If
there are many high tolerance organisms, the river may be too contaminated for low tolerance
organisms. But if there are many low tolerance it means the river is more on the clean side. But a
healthy stream will have a mix of both low and high tolerance organisms. Habitat tests measure erosion,
the amount of vegetation present, and the stability of said habitat. Paved surfaces are one of the main
run-off problems and greatly affect the habitats condition. Habitat tests are measured by physical
conditions, and the highest possible score is 52, the lowest 13; the Pike Creek measured in at 31. Lastly,
stream flow measures the cubic feet per second at a set point in a river over a period of time. It also
measures the height of the water, the shape of the river, and the course of the river. A healthy river
should have a constant height and a constant flow rate; fluctuation is not healthy.
This is a time when everyone thinks everything is renewable immediately. One of the many
obvious things that are not is freshwater, and these tests are extremely important because then they
can figure out what is causing the river to be unhealthy and fix it. Many of these unhealthy traits are
easy to amend, so if there is a way to find out what is wrong, understanding water quality is not only
important, but simple and should be required.
On September 26, 2014, all seven water quality tests were performed using samples from the
Pike Creek. It was 18.3C (65F) and it was sunny that day. For the temperature test, the water was
found to be 18C (65F.) 18C is a happy medium between the ideal 15-20C for water temperature (Fig.
1.) For the pH test it was 7.83 pH. A good pH range is 6.5-8.5; any more and it becomes alkaline, any less
and it becomes acidic. Dissolved oxygen is measured in mg/L (milligrams per liter) and in saturation. The

Pikes 8.5 mg/L (Fig. 2) and 90% saturation is good. 91-110% saturation is excellent, but 90% is close
enough to be excellent as well (Fig. 3.) Turbidity is measured in NTUs; the Pike being 20.4 NTU in the
first trial, 65.1 NTU in the second, and 4.4 NTU in the third (Fig. 4 a & b.) Biotic index is measured in
groups of low and high tolerance organisms. The Pike Creek had some of every group besides the first
(lowest tolerance) which signifies some minor pollution, but not enough to pose a threat. Habitat,
measured on a scale with a low of 13 and a high of 52, was at 30 for the pike and fairly decent. Overall
the Pikes results on these tests were fairly decent compared to what they definitely could have been;
not the cleanest river but not in danger either.

Figure 1: Fahrenheit and Celsius Conversion Chart (watermonitoring.uwex.edu)

Figure 2: mg/L Levels Allowed (watermonitoring.uwex.edu)

Figure 3: Chart for Determining Saturation (watermonitoring.uwex.edu)

Figure 4a: Turbidity Conv. Chart (watermonitoring.uwex.edu)

Figure 4b: Turbidity Conv. Chart cont. (watermonitoring.uwex.edu)

Here will be explained the results that were received from the Pike River. These results are
important to ensure that the river is still in acceptable health and that there are tabs kept to make sure
it is known how to help the river if it is not. The results for the temperature test were 18C (65F.) This
tells us that, based on the source used, the colder the water, the better. It can hold more oxygen, but a
lot of fluctuation in temperature can cause fish to contract disease or parasites easier. ...warm water
holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water and triggers higher plant growth ...extreme temperature
fluctuations can make fish and insects more susceptible to disease, parasites, and the harmful effects of
toxic waste. Also, different industries can raise water temperatures by draining warmer water from
their factories into the river; clearly, by the results, the Pike River does not have this problem.
Industries such as power plants, paper mills, and cheese factories may discharge heated water The
dissolved oxygen levels were at 8.5 mg/L and at 90% saturation. This is a good middle range for a river,
for a healthy range is 4-15 mg/L. The 90% saturation is also excellent because a healthy range is 90110% saturation. Values between 90% and 110% of saturation are excellent. The pH levels were at
7.83 pH. Since a healthy range is between 6.5 and 8.5 pH and 7pH is neutral, it is a fairly decent pH
value. It actually couldnt be a better value. The normal range for surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5
and for groundwater systems 6 to 8.5 pH. The turbidity results (over three trials) were at 20.4 NTU,
65.1 NTU, and 4.4 NTU. First of all, the larger the NTU, the more you cannot see the symbol inside the
turbidity testing tube; the lower the NTU the farther you can see through the water. Therefore the Pike
Rivers NTUs fluctuate and usually that isnt consistent and not a good sign. The results for the biotic
index were 1.7. (The scale being 1-2=poor; 2.1-2.5=fair; 2.6-3.5=good; 3.6 and up=excellent.) If the test
scored poorly for the Pike River there must be some type of runoff problem or something else causing a
poor biotic index scoring. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are small animals without backbones. Their

presence or absence can reflect a streams general condition. Plus, biotic index shows that there is
something wrong but does not identify the problem, so that is its one weakness as a test. The biotic
index can indicate a problem, but it cannot specify what that problem might be. For the habitat scoring,
the Pike River scored a 30 out of a possible 52. 30 out of 52 is definitely isnt the best but it isnt the
worst. It could be much better. As far as the observations show, there are no impervious surfaces
present. Also from observation, the riparian zone (trees, shrubs, grasses, etc. that keeps a habitat for
wildlife) was intact and healthy. ...healthy riparian zone is characterized by trees, bushes, shrubs, and
tall grasses that help to buffer the stream from polluted runoff and create habitat Lastly, for the
stream flow, the results are 6.9 cfs. One test is unable to accurately tell how average this one
measurement is because of the change a stream could take over time that could either fluctuate
severely (unhealthy) or fluctuate slightly (healthy.)
Overall, water quality is important for the health of the environment, but especially if said water
is being used by humans. But even the unhealthiness of the environment could negatively affect the
surrounding population of humans as well. The tests that were conducted in September showed many
aspects of how well-kept this stream is compared to many other streams near larger cities. Also, if these
tests were to be given to environmentalists that are keeping track of the Pike River they would be useful
in keeping tabs on the river to keep its health at an acceptable level. The Pike River, based on these
tests, is in acceptable health overall. Though, for the Pike, the habitat could have been better; there was
some erosion in places that could have been helped by a healthier riparian zone. But, even if one test is
not the best, it wasnt at a point where all of the species of the stream were in danger of disease or
death. Based on this, if every stream were to be at this health or better, the environment would
improve immensely, because the state of the majority of city streams is horrible compared to the Pike
Rivers exceptional health.

Citations

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). Temperature: Its Role in Aquatic Habitats.

http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/4Temperature-Monitoring2010.pdf

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). Dissolved Oxygen: Aquatic Life Depends on It.
http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/6DissolvedOxygen-Monitoring2010.pdf

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). The pH of Water. http://water-research.net/index.php/ph

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). Transparency: A Water Clarity Measure.

http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/5Transparency-Monitoring2010.pdf

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). Habitat Assessment: The Parts Equal the Whole.
http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/3HabitatAssessment-Monitoring2010.pdf

Water Action Volunteers. (2010). Stream Flow: Flow Speaks Volumes.

http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/7StreamFlow-Monitoring2010.pdf