WATER TURBIDITY VS. CURRENT SPEED AND ITS EFFECTS IN ROYAL CREEK

ABSTRACT

• This experiment compared the water turbidity and current speed
• To collect our data we used a water monitoring kit
• We had 3 consistent designated areas
• Average turbitiy: 37JTU Average speed: 24.43cm/s
• Conclusively, water turbidity has a low correlation difference throughout the areas

INTRODUCTION

• Turbidity is just a measure of how cloudy the water is
• Turbidity is caused by TSS, such as clay silt and some microorganisms
• Previously, We thought that the faster the current the higher the turbidity
• But, there was not enough significant variation between the areas.Which leads
• To the question, How can the correspondence of WT and CS affect water quality?

METHODS

• We used a simple Jackson turbidimeter
• For most accurate results, water should reach the rim of the turbidimeter
• Then used secchi disk, on bottom of turbidimeter, and is represented on a scale of 0-100
• To measure CS, have end points marked off, gently lay the buoyant object on water
• Meanwhile, measure the time it takes to reach the other end point.

SIMPLE JACKSON TERBIDIMETER

AREA 1

AREA 2

AREA 3

Results
Average turbidity: 37.83 JTU, Average speed:24.38 cm/s
Area 1: avg. JTU: 37 JTU avg. speed: 23.772 cm/s
Area 2: avg. JTU: 35.7 JTU. Avg. Speed: 24.046cm/s
Area 3: Avg. JTU: 41 JTU. Avg. Speed : 25.497cm/s
Median of JTU: 32.5, standard dev. Of JTU: 32.285
Median of speed: 13.64 standard dev. Of speed: 29.24

DIFFERENT AREA AVGS.

Untitled Slide

Discussion/Conclusion
The current speed/flow rate is a primary factor in turbidity, more particles and sediment are carried by faster running water.
Also, a change in flow rate can affect turbidity; the current of the water increases, silt from the creek may be resuspended.
A surplus of rain can also affect the flow rate and as an effect then changes the turbidity.
The creek level rose about two feet in between the weeks of 10/24 and 10/31

Discussion (cont.)
Decreased water clarity can effect the water quality. Elevated turbidity can raise water temp. Lower dissolved oxygen and decrease the amount of sunlight that goes through the water. Then the consequences of all of those impurities are, the plants can't photosynthesize, and harm fish gills and eggs. Cloudy water also creates a sufficient home for a pathogen; food and shelter are provided by the TSS. The pathogens will, if not treated, will result in waterborne disease outbreaks weather on animals or humans.

WORK CITED

• DEQ Water Quality Division."IMST Review of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Technical Basis for Revising Turbidity Criteria PDF."Feb. 17, 2010, http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/standards/turbidity.htm, Jan. 27, 2014
• Murphy, Sheila."City of Boulder/USGS Water Quality Monitoring, General Information on Turbidity."http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/Turb.html, Jan. 27, 2014
• EPA Guidance Manual Turbidity Provisions."Importance of Turbidity."April 1999, http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/mdbp/pdf/turbidity/chap_07.pdf, Jan. 27, 2014
• Department of Ecology, State of Washington."A Citizens Guide to Understanding and Monitoring Lakes and Streams."http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/management/joysmanual/4tss.html, Feb. 18, 2014
• United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA."Water: Monitoring and Assessment, 5.5 Turbidity."March 6, 2012,http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms55.cfm, Feb. 23, 2014