Mianus River Gorge-Test Site

On the SoundWaters field trip, we tested for a number of different conditions in the water. At the first station, we tested for heavy metals, such as copper, iron or chlorine. It was surprisingly easy; all you had to do was drop some chemicals into the water and depending on the color the water changed to, you could find the level of any of those three different heavy metals.
At the second station, we tested the turbidity of the water, using a turbidity tube. The turbidity of the water is how clear or opaque the water is. To use the turbidity tube, you had to fill it up all the way to the top, and then let out water using a release at the bottom. You did this until you could see the black and white disc on the bottom. On the side of the tube, there was a scale, and depending on how high the water was on the scale, the water was, you knew how turbid the water is.
The second part of the second station was a test of flow rate. Using pre-measured dimensions of the river and the speed at which the river was flowing, we were able to find the flow rate of the water, or how much water was traveling past us each second. The flow rate was surprisingly high, because there had been a big storm the previous day.
At the third station, we tested for oxygen saturation. This station again required the use of various chemicals. It was a much more complicated process; however, it was still interesting to see how these types of tests are actually done.
Overall, the Soundwaters trip was enjoyable as well as interesting. It was nice to be able to learn in the outdoors instead of being inside all day. Even though the chemical names were difficult to remember and I did not always know what was happening, it was definitely one of the better field trips we have been on this year.