ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

Place pic of the rivers here.

To investigate the effects of human activities on the water quality of St Toolies and Rio

Minho Rivers in Clarendon

Candidate’s Name:

Centre: Denbigh High School

Candidate Number:

Subject: Environmental Science Unit 1

Centre Number: 100026

Teacher’s Name: Ms L. McCalla

Territory: Jamaica

Year: 2023

Table of Content
 Page #

Problem Statement

Purpose of Study

Method of Data Collection

Literature Review

Presentation of Data

Analysis of Data

Findings

Discussion of Findings

Conclusion

Recommendations

Limitations

Reference

Appendices

Appendix 1 Lab Reports

Appendix 2 Site Visits

Appendix 3 Pictures
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Problem Statement

To investigate the effects of human activities on the water quality of St Toolies and Rio Minho

Rivers in Clarendon
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Purpose of Study

● Your major purpose is that you have a concern for the environment

● Why are you doing this research?

● What do you intend to do with the results? Are you to place it in the school library for

future reference or give it to an environmental agency

● The purpose should be about a paragraph

Method of Data Collection

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Literature Review
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Presentation of Data

● Only raw data in tables no graphs

● You are presenting the data for nitrate, phosphate, TDS and EC, pH.

● Each table must have an appropriate title, units must be column headings
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Analysis of Data

● Here you can use graphs such as bar charts, line graphs etc. NO PIE CHARTS. Just

present the data graphically and give graphs tiles and label the legends
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Findings
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Discussion of Findings

● This is where the examiner will read the most

● You must speak to the results you get

● Relate results to problem statement and literature review

● Must be at least 2 pages, a paragraph for each parameter (nitrate, phosphate, pH, TDS,

EC, temperature)
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Conclusion
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Recommendations

Must be based on the overall findings of the SBA

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Limitations

● A paragraph

● What limited the study or research? Was there enough time to conduct the study?

● Was there accuracy with the results

● Were resources available? I'm not talking money here

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Reference

YOU NEED TO USE THE CMS AUTHOR-DATE STYLE, SEE CLASSROOM

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Appendices

Appendix 1 Lab Reports

Lab #: 1

Date: February 8, 2021, and March 15, 2021

Title: Nutrient level in water

Aim: To determine the nitrate levels in a sample of water from St Toolies and Rio Minho

Rivers

Apparatus: Water sample, Nitrate-N and Phosphate Low Range Comparator Bar, Low

Range Comparator Viewer, 0.1g Spoon, 1mL Teat Pipette, Caps, Test tubes, Plastic bottles,

Stopwatch, Pencil, Notebook

Nitrate Reagents: Mixed acid reagent, Nitrate reducing reagent, river water.
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Photo 1. Nitrate-Phosphate Test Kit

Procedure:

1. The Nitrate-N and Phosphate Comparator bar was slid into the Low Range Comparator

Viewer. A test tube was then filled to the 10 mL line with the sample water. Test tube

was then placed in the Low Range Comparator.

2. A second test tube was filled to the 2.5 mL line with the sample water.

3. The sample water in the second test tube was

diluted with the mixed acid reagent to the 5

mL line. The test tube was capped and the contents

were mixed. The test tube was left to

stand for 2 minutes.

4. The 0.1g spoon was used to add one level measure

(excess avoided) of Nitrate

reducing reagent. The test tube was then capped and inverted 60 times in one minute. The

test tube was then left to stand for 10 minutes.

5. The content of the test tube was mixed again and the cap was removed. The test tube

was inserted into the Low Range Comparator. The sample colour was matched to a
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standard colour. The reading was recorded as ppm Nitrate-N.

6. Steps 1-5 were repeated for each visit to the locations.

Results:

Table 1. Nitrate levels for St Toolies and Rio Minho Rivers

Site Visit No. Nitrate levels (ppm-Nitrate)

St Toolies River Rio Minho River

Discussion:

Conclusion:

Lab #: 2

Date: February 8, 2021, and March 15, 2021

Title: Nutrient level in water

Aim: To determine the phosphate levels in a sample of water from St Toolies and Rio

Minho Rivers

Apparatus: Water sample, Nitrate-N and Phosphate Low Range Comparator Bar, Low

Range Comparator Viewer, 0.1g Spoon, 1mL Teat Pipette, Caps, Test tubes, Plastic bottles,

Stopwatch, Pencil, Notebook

Phosphate Reagents: Phosphate Acid Reagent, Phosphate Reducing Reagent, river water.

Procedure:

1. The Nitrate- N and Phosphate Low Range Comparator Bar was slid into the Low
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Range Comparator Viewer. One test tube was filled to the 10 mL line with water

sample and placed in the Low range Comparator.

2. A second test tube was filled to the 10 mL line with sample water.

3. The 1.0 mL pipette was used to add 1.0 mL of Phosphate Acid Reagent. The test tube

was then capped and the content was mixed.

4. The second 0.1g spoon was used to add one level measure of Phosphate Reducing

Reagent. The test tube was then capped and the contents were mixed until it was dissolved.

The test tube was left to stand for 5 minutes.

5. The cap was removed. The test tube was placed in the Low Range Comparator. The

sample colour was matched to a standard and the value was recorded as ppm Orthophosphate.

6. Steps 1-5 were repeated for each visit to the locations.

Results:

Table 2. Phospahte levels for St Toolies and Rio Minho Rivers

Site Visit No. Phosphate levels (ppm-orthophosphate)

St Toolies River Rio Minho River

Discussion:

Conclusion:
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Lab #: 3

Date:

Title: Total Dissolved

Solids and Electrical Conductivity

Aim: To determine the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of

a sample of water from Spring Plain and St Toolies River in Clarendon

Apparatus: Digital TDS/EC/Temperature meter, sterile plastic bottle, beaker, water from rivers
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Photo 2. Digital TDS and EC meter

Procedure: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

1. The sterile plastic bottle and beaker were rinsed with water from the respective rivers to

condition them.

2. Water sample was collected in the bottle and transferred to the beaker.

3. The protective cap was removed from the digital total dissolved solids/electrical

conductivity/temperature (TDS/EC/Temperature) meter and the power was pressed to

turn on the device.

4. The digital TDS/EC/Temperature meter was immersed in the water in the beaker no more than

1.6 inches.

5. Once the display was stabilized, the hold button was pressed to view the reading out of water.

6. TDS readings were tabulated

Procedure for Electrical conductivity

1. The sterile plastic bottle and beaker were rinsed with the water from the respective rivers to

condition them.

2. Water sample was collected in the bottle and transferred to the beaker.

3. The protective cap was removed from the digital TDS/EC/Temperature meter and the power

was pressed to turn on the device. The mode button was then pressed to allow the device to

measure electrical conductivity (EC).

4. The digital TDS/EC/Temperature meter was immersed in the water in the beaker no more than

1.6 inches.

5. Once the display was stabilized, the hold button was pressed to view the reading out of water.

6. EC readings were tabulated

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Results:

Table 3. Average Total Dissolved Soilds and Electrical Conductivity readings for St Toolies and

Rio Minho Rivers

Site Visit No. Average TDS (ppm) Average Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm)

St Toolies River Rio Minho River

1 ± ±

2 ± ±

3 ± ±

4 ± ±

microSiemens per centimetre (μS/cm)

Discussion:

Conclusion:
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Lab#: 4

Date:

Title: pH of the water body

Aim: To determine the pH of water from St Toolies and Rio Minho Rivers

Apparatus: Digital pH meter, plastic bottles, beakers, water samples from rivers,

pencil, notebook

Photo 4. Digital pH meter

Procedure: 1. Water samples from the rivers were collected in a clean plastic bottle.

2. A sterilized beaker was half-filled with water sample.

3. Digital pH meter was turned on and the pH meter zeroed. A digital pH meter

was inserted into the beaker with water sample for approximately 10 seconds.
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4. The pH reading which appeared on the screen was tabulated. Two additional

readings were taken and the average pH reading of the river water was

recorded.

5. Steps one to five (1-5) were repeated for each site visit.

Results:

Table 4. Average pH level for St Toolies and Rio Minho Rivers

Site Visit No. Average pH

St Toolies River Rio Minho River

1 ± ±

2 ± ±

3 ± ±

4 ± ±

Discussion:

Conclusion:
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Appendix 2 Site Visits

Entry Number: 1

Date:

Site/Location: St Toolies River and Rio Minho River, Clarendon

PUT PICTURES
St Toolies river is located in the parish of Clarendon, on the border between Clarendon and

Manchester.. The river is approximately 25 minutes (15.3 km) from Denbigh High School by

vehicle.

Rio Minho river is located in the parish of Clarendon, the section of the river visited is in the

community of Pennants which is approximately 49 minutes by vehicle (28.4 km) from Denbigh

High School in the same parish.

Objectives:

1. To measure the pH of the water with a digital pH meter.

2. To measure the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer.

3. To measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water

with a digital meter

4. To measure the nitrate and phosphate levels of the water

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5. To observe the surrounding of the rivers and take pictures

6. To conduct an informal interview with the residents

Activities:

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE AREA

Observations:

● Weather

● Surroundings

● Vegetation

● Animals

Interpretive Comments:

Follow-up Activities:

1. Return to the classroom to collate and analyse data collected and engage in discussion.

2. Revisit rivers on November 28, 2022, to observe if there were any changes and to collect

data as was done on this visit.

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Entry Number: 2

Date:

Site/Location: St Toolies River and Rio Minho River, Clarendon

PUT PICTURES
St Toolies river is located in the parish of Clarendon, on the border between Clarendon and

Manchester.. The river is approximately 25 minutes (15.3 km) from Denbigh High School by

vehicle.

Rio Minho river is located in the parish of Clarendon, the section of the river visited is in the

community of Pennants which is approximately 49 minutes by vehicle (28.4 km) from Denbigh

High School in the same parish.

Objectives:

1. To measure the pH of the water with a digital pH meter.

2. To measure the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer.

3. To measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water

with a digital meter

4. To measure the nitrate and phosphate levels of the water

5. To observe the surrounding of the rivers and take pictures

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Activities:

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE AREA

Observations:

● Weather

● Vegetation

● Surroundings

● Animals

Interpretive Comments:

Follow-up Activities:

1. Return to the classroom to collate and analyse data collected and engage in discussion.

2. Revisit rivers in January , 2023, to observe if there were any changes and to collect data

as was done on this visit.

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Entry Number: 3

Date:

Site/Location: St Toolies River and Rio Minho River, Clarendon

PUT PICTURES
St Toolies river is located in the parish of Clarendon, on the border between Clarendon and

Manchester.. The river is approximately 25 minutes (15.3 km) from Denbigh High School by

vehicle.

Rio Minho river is located in the parish of Clarendon, the section of the river visited is in the

community of Pennants which is approximately 49 minutes by vehicle (28.4 km) from Denbigh

High School in the same parish.

Objectives:

1. To measure the pH of the water with a digital pH meter.

2. To measure the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer.

3. To measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water

with a digital meter

4. To measure the nitrate and phosphate levels of the water

5. To observe the surrounding of the rivers and take pictures.

Activities:

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE AREA

Observations:
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● Weather

● Surroundings

● Vegetation

● Animals

Interpretive Comments:

Follow-up Activities:

1. Return to the classroom to collate and analyse data collected and engage in discussion.

2. Revisit rivers in January , 2023, to observe if there were any changes and to collect data

as was done on this visit.

Entry Number: 4
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Date:

Site/Location: St Toolies River and Rio Minho River, Clarendon

PUT PICTURES
St Toolies river is located in the parish of Clarendon, on the border between Clarendon and

Manchester.. The river is approximately 25 minutes (15.3 km) from Denbigh High School by

vehicle.

Rio Minho river is located in the parish of Clarendon, the section of the river visited is in the

community of Pennants which is approximately 49 minutes by vehicle (28.4 km) from Denbigh

High School in the same parish.

Objectives:

1. To measure the pH of the water with a digital pH meter.

2. To measure the temperature of the water with a digital thermometer.

3. To measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the water

with a digital meter

4. To measure the nitrate and phosphate levels of the water

5. To observe the surrounding of the rivers and take pictures

Activities:

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE AREA

Observations:

● Weather
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● Surroundings

● Vegetation

● Animals

Interpretive Comments:

Follow-up Activities:

1. Return to the classroom to collate and analyse data collected and engage in discussion.

2. Use graphs, tables and pictures to display trends or changes in the data.

3. Recommend possible solutions or mitigative measures for environmental problems at the

sites.

Appendix 3 Pictures
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