ENV111
Laboratory Report
ENV111: Introduction to Sustainability
Laboratory
Report
Introduction
Sustaining our water resources from pollutants is extremely important for our aquatic
species and environment. There are many factors that contribute to the increasing waste issue in
our bodies of water. For example, human activity has a negative impact on our environmental
sustainability, primarily our water resources. In this lab report, we investigate the death of a
large number of fish at Trisha’s farm. Majority of the fish in Trisha’s farm were found dead
with
lesions on the tail end of their body. The lab allowed us to examine and analyze the fish as
well as the water samples collected from the affected area. After testing the water samples, we
determined that eutrophication triggered toxic algal blooms, Pfiesteria. Pfiesteria is a powerful
toxin that caused the bleeding sores on the fish. Eutrophication is defined as an overgrowth of
nutrients and algal blooms which causes hypoxia, the ultimate cause of the suffocation of the
fish. According to our lab, eutrophication occurs when there is a dramatic or sudden increase
in the growth factor for photosynthesis, such as nutrients. The main cause for eutrophication is
the leaching of fertilizers from farm fields into the surrounding watershed, as well as sewage
from industrial and urban areas such as Alex’s cotton field.
Paragraph 2: Hypothesis (or plural form: Hypotheses)
My first hypothesis was, “If the water oxygen level is low, then the fish died of
suffocation”. Prior to the experiment, Trisha provided water quality data including temperature,
dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels. This led me to believe that the fish died due to low
, oxygen levels. After taking a closer look at the dead fish, it was confirmed that the dead fish
presented lesions that resulted from toxins in the water. I hypothesize that if the water contains
microalgae, then the fish suffocated due to eutrophication.
Materials and Methods
Paragraph 1:
A microscope and spectrophotometry were utilized to take a closer look at the fish and
water. The microscope was used to analyze the particles in the water and the
spectrophotometry was used to examine the nitrogen levels from the water samples collected.
Results
Paragraph 1 Present the Key Findings:
Discussion
During the lab, we determined that the low dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels in
the water were the cause of the fish lesions and ultimately the cause of death. By collecting
water samples and a single fish to examine closer, we were able to make this conclusion.
Paragraph 1 Hypothesis:
When examining the water sample under a microscope, we found microalgae in the
water. The area of where the lesion was located can explain how the fish died. In this case, the
P. piscicida toxin breaks down fish skin tissue causing an open and bleeding lesion similar to
the ones in the dead fish (Labster Virtual Laboratory). The microalgae in the water sample
indicated an algal bloom is occurring in the water where the fish died. The sources of nitrogen
around Trisha’s farm caused the toxins in the water. We determined that the water flowing from
Alex’s cotton field exceeded the level of nitrogen to avoid algae blooms. human activities such
as using fertilizers contribute to increasing nitrogen. Nitrogen containing compounds act as
nutrients in rivers. Bacteria in water quickly converts nitrites to nitrates. Ammonia
concentrations in surface
Laboratory Report
ENV111: Introduction to Sustainability
Laboratory
Report
Introduction
Sustaining our water resources from pollutants is extremely important for our aquatic
species and environment. There are many factors that contribute to the increasing waste issue in
our bodies of water. For example, human activity has a negative impact on our environmental
sustainability, primarily our water resources. In this lab report, we investigate the death of a
large number of fish at Trisha’s farm. Majority of the fish in Trisha’s farm were found dead
with
lesions on the tail end of their body. The lab allowed us to examine and analyze the fish as
well as the water samples collected from the affected area. After testing the water samples, we
determined that eutrophication triggered toxic algal blooms, Pfiesteria. Pfiesteria is a powerful
toxin that caused the bleeding sores on the fish. Eutrophication is defined as an overgrowth of
nutrients and algal blooms which causes hypoxia, the ultimate cause of the suffocation of the
fish. According to our lab, eutrophication occurs when there is a dramatic or sudden increase
in the growth factor for photosynthesis, such as nutrients. The main cause for eutrophication is
the leaching of fertilizers from farm fields into the surrounding watershed, as well as sewage
from industrial and urban areas such as Alex’s cotton field.
Paragraph 2: Hypothesis (or plural form: Hypotheses)
My first hypothesis was, “If the water oxygen level is low, then the fish died of
suffocation”. Prior to the experiment, Trisha provided water quality data including temperature,
dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels. This led me to believe that the fish died due to low
, oxygen levels. After taking a closer look at the dead fish, it was confirmed that the dead fish
presented lesions that resulted from toxins in the water. I hypothesize that if the water contains
microalgae, then the fish suffocated due to eutrophication.
Materials and Methods
Paragraph 1:
A microscope and spectrophotometry were utilized to take a closer look at the fish and
water. The microscope was used to analyze the particles in the water and the
spectrophotometry was used to examine the nitrogen levels from the water samples collected.
Results
Paragraph 1 Present the Key Findings:
Discussion
During the lab, we determined that the low dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels in
the water were the cause of the fish lesions and ultimately the cause of death. By collecting
water samples and a single fish to examine closer, we were able to make this conclusion.
Paragraph 1 Hypothesis:
When examining the water sample under a microscope, we found microalgae in the
water. The area of where the lesion was located can explain how the fish died. In this case, the
P. piscicida toxin breaks down fish skin tissue causing an open and bleeding lesion similar to
the ones in the dead fish (Labster Virtual Laboratory). The microalgae in the water sample
indicated an algal bloom is occurring in the water where the fish died. The sources of nitrogen
around Trisha’s farm caused the toxins in the water. We determined that the water flowing from
Alex’s cotton field exceeded the level of nitrogen to avoid algae blooms. human activities such
as using fertilizers contribute to increasing nitrogen. Nitrogen containing compounds act as
nutrients in rivers. Bacteria in water quickly converts nitrites to nitrates. Ammonia
concentrations in surface
