MacBride Field Data
7th Grade Science -- May 12, 2015
Overview
This Smore summarizes the data collected on our 7th grade field trip.
Mr. Mosher's group did their tests near the Iowa River, with water coming from the river.
Ms. Johnson's and Mr. Stimmel's groups did their tests near Lake MacBride, with water coming from Lake MacBride.
All of the data represent averages of the data submitted by roughly 300 students. We took out any obviously incorrect data, such as when people clearly did not understand what question was being asked.
Water Quality
Water quality is important to both the animals and plants that live in it as well as those animals that drink from it. We tested water at two sites -- Mosher's groups at a site along the Iowa River and Johnson's and Stimmel's groups from Lake MacBride.
Here are what some of the values mean:
pH: pH is measured on a scale of 1-14. It shows how acidic or basic something is. 7 is neutral. Above 7 is basic. Below 7 is acidic. Most aquatic animals can tolerate pH levels between 6.5 and 9.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is important for plants to grow in water. However, too much nitrogen can be a bad thing because it can cause algae blooms in water which use up all of the dissolved oxygen for aquatic life.
Iowa's rivers and streams are considered at high risk for nitrogen contamination because nitrogen is in fertilizers that get used on farm fields.
A reading greater than 1 would be considered a possible problem.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is important because aquatic life like fish breathe the dissolved oxygen in water.
Dissolved oxygen is measured on a scale of 1 - 12. A reading of 12 is best. A reading below 6 could be a problem for some species.
Other observations
Mr. Mosher's groups generally described the water as cloudy.
Both Mr. Stimmel's and Ms. Johnson's group generally described the water as more clear.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Plants and Animals in the Prairie
Other Observations
Biodiversity in the Woodlands
Other Observations
Mr. Mosher's groups said most of the plants in the woodlands were trees and bushes. Mr. Stimmel's said they saw low-lying plants and trees. Ms. Johnson's said they mostly saw low lying plants.
All three groups said the most common form of animal life they saw in the woodlands were insects.