The comparisons of nitrate levels in Lake Wyile, SC vs.

Winthrop lake in Rock Hill, SC

Blue Setzer
Biology 151
T, Th: 8:00-9:15
March 23, 2023
Introduction

Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air, by volume. It is found, as compounds, in all living

things and hence also in coal and other fossil fuels. Nitrates are a type of nitrogen that can be

found in a variety of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic. Ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites are

examples of these types of nitrogen.

Nitrates are essential nutrients for plants, but excessive amounts can have a significant

impact on water quality. Nitrates, like phosphorus, can accelerate eutrophication in excess,

resulting in dramatic increases in aquatic plant growth and shifts in the kinds of animals and

plants that live in the stream. In turn, this has an effect on temperature, dissolved oxygen, and

other indicators.

Under certain conditions, excessive nitrates can cause hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen

levels, and can become toxic to warm-blooded animals at concentrations of 10 mg/L or higher.

Surface water typically has a naturally low level of ammonia or nitrate (less than 1 mg/L); It can

be as high as 30 mg/L in wastewater treatment plant effluent. (Emsley, John)

Sources of nitrates include water waste treatment plants, runoff from fertilized lawns and

crop land, failing on-site septic systems, runoff from animal manure storage areas, and industrial

discharges that contain corrosion inhibitors. (American Public Health Association)

Hypothesis

Lake Wylie will have more nitrates in the water than Winthrop lake will have in its water.
Material and method

The materials used in this experiment were very simple and effective. In preparation the

experimenter gathered 4 plastic sample Cups. The experimenter was also given a sharpie to

indicate which sample came from where.

The experimenters got their plastic sample cups and went to the sample sites. They stuck

the sample cups into the water and gathered samples from the water. After gathering the samples

the experimenters capped the sample cups off and with a sharpie wrote where these sample came

from.

Results

A t-test Was used to see if Lake Wylie or Winthrop lake had more nitrates in its water.

As a result of the T-test the Alternative hypothesis was accepted. With looking and our data it

was clear that Winthrop lakes nitrate levels were much higher than Lake Wylies and the T-test

confirmed that.
 Nitrate levels

Lake Wylie Winthrop Lake

1 0ppm 1ppm

2 0ppm 5ppm

3 0ppm 1ppm

4 0ppm 0ppm
 T-test calculations

To calculate the T-test I used the social science statistics website to help me.

I then used the formula df=nA+nB−2 to find the critical value.

T value= 1.578

Critical value= 2.447

Since 2..447 is greater than 1.578 the we would accept the alternative hypothesis.
Conclusion

Nitrates are very important to plant and algae life in lakes. It is also important that they

are not more than 10 millimeters of nitrates in a body of water for it to be at its healthiest . This

experiment was created to see the health of water in Lake Wylie and Winthrop lake. The

working hypothesis postulated that there would be more nitrates in Lake Wylie then there would

be in Winthrop Lake. The alternative hypothesis indicated that there would be more nitrates in

Winthrop lake than Lake Wylie. The null hypothesis stated that there would be no statistical

difference in the levels of nitrates in Lake Wylie and Winthrop lake. From this experiment there

was no support in the null hypothesis there were more nitrates in Winthrop lake then Lake Wylie

hence supporting the alternative hypothesis.

The T- test Was used to determine weather there was a difference between Winthrop

lakes nitrate level and Lake Wylie’s nitrate level. The samples were collected from both sights

the same way using the same sample cups. The T value came back as 1.578. The critical value is

2.447. This means that our working hypothesis was wrong and our alternative hypothesis was

correct because we went through lake had more nitrates then Lake Wylie did.

The reason Lake Wylie may have had less nitrates is because I picked my samples from

my home and I live next to the nuclear plant which could have filter the water so much that the

water would not have a chance to recover nitrates yet. Something else that would have skewed

the data was how deep I collected my samples. I did not Submerge my hand into the water
enough to get closer to the bottom of the lake. I collected the top of the lake sample which could

have gave a different result.

 Works cited

“5.7 Nitrates.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Mar. 2012,

https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/html/vms57.html.

Emsley, John. “Nitrogen - Element Information, Properties and Uses: Periodic Table.” Nitrogen -
Element Information, Properties and Uses | Periodic Table, https://www.rsc.org/periodic-
table/element/7/nitrogen.

“T-Test Calculator for 2 Independent Means.” Social Science Statistics,

https://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/studentttest/default.aspx.