The document summarizes water quality test results from the Mullet River. Water samples showed low phosphate levels, indicating poor soil quality. Dissolved oxygen and pH levels were within healthy ranges to support aquatic life. However, the lack of plant life and suitable habitats along the banks limited the presence of animals in the river. Overall, the river's health was deemed fair, as certain factors like water chemistry were good but habitat availability was poor.
2. • When we first surveyed the river and its
surrounding area (area right by the bridge) we
saw minimal pollution, however there was a
repulsive smell, and the water was very
murky, however this was possibly due to the
water rushing out of the storm drain, which
had a broken grate. We found the bark of a log
in the river, this wood could possibly carry
disease, which further added to our thoughts
that the river was unhealthy.
3. Phosphate level: >1
What does it mean? : Phosphates are minerals
vital to life, they are naturally occurring in
water. Phosphates act a great fertilizers, this
means the soil taken from the river would be a
poor fertilizer, due to its lack of phosphates.
4. • Phosphates are necessary for plant and animal
life in a body of water, this explains the small
amount of aquatic life in the area. A healthy
river would contain such life.
• The lack of phosphate is further proved by the
high levels of dissolved oxygen. Phosphates are
usually not very present in waters with high
oxygen levels.
• However, the lack of plant life in the river can
be beneficial, reducing disease, and increasing
water movement.
5. PH Level: 7/8
PH is the acidity of the water, a ph of 7 is
almost a perfect level for our river, this means
it has a low acidity.
6. This means that the acidity is low, this means
many more animals could survive in the river,
however the phosphate levels are limiting the
amount of animals that could live in the river.
7. We had a dissolved oxygen level of 5 Mg/l
which is good, because is it raises higher than
that that, it any living fish would develop
emphysema. Below that, and the concentration
would be too much and fish would die in large
numbers.
8. Dissolved oxygen is a byproduct of
photosynthesis, meaning there is an adequate
number of plants in the river. Which could act
as a habitat for fish.
9. The right bank has a slope like decline, there
are no undercut banks, making no area for fish.
The left bank, which is lined with a manmade
bank, could possibly harbor fish, but the
existence of an undercut bank is in question.
10. After fully assessing the Mullet River, we
found that certain aspects of the river are very
good, such as its low phosphate and its neutral
dissolved oxygen levels, however, the lack of
habitats along banks is bad. The overall health
id say is fair, it has many good aspects.
