The Research of Water Quality and Biodiversity of Arimaičiai Lake. LITHUANIA
The
students of Šeduva Gymnasium Ugnė Petraitytė, Nojus Pilipaitis, and Paulina
Čepaitė have researched water quality and biodiversity of Arimičiai Lake. The
aim of the research was to test water quality and biodiversity.
Tools
we used during the research were a kit of chemical reagents, which were used to
identify the chemical composition and the quality of the water, a water
thermometer, a compass, an electron microscope and a computer. The sequence of
the research. First of all, the water and air temperature were measured. Then,
with the help of a compass, we identified wind direction and took water samples
from two different locations. We tested water quality and chemical composition with
chemical reagents and physical characteristics of water with an electron
microscope. After two months we took new samples and tested them again. The
hypothesis of our research is that the
quality and the chemical composition of water of Arimaičiai Lake is fairly good
and biodiversity is high Before taking samples, we analyzed environmental
conditions and found high biodiversity of Arimaičiai Lake: there were many air
bioindicators, which indicated unpolluted air. Also, there were many living
organisms such as swans, loons, white storks, white-headed gulls and common pond skaters. We tested both of the
samples with an electron microscope and did a biological analysis.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find any living organisms. Perhaps, there were none
due to the wrong conditions of keeping samples before testing them. The amount
of ammonium cation and the amount of the anions of nitrate, nitrite, and
phosphorus didn’t go over standard norms. However, the water in all samples was
alkaline and very hard. High level of hardness of water shows that the water
has been polluted by fertilised fields, agriculture and other activities of
humankind. Hard water can leave your skin feeling dry, as it strips away the
natural moisture from the skin. The results of the research have shown that the
hypothesis has been proven: the water quality
was fairly good and biodiversity was high. This research has given us a
wonderfulexperience and understanding of the relevance of saving our natural
resources.