Alex,+Daniel,+Mason,+Leo

Water Quality Alex Wang(IBHL Biology), Daniel Hou(IBHL Biology), Mason Sun(IBHL Chemistry), Leo Cheung (IBSL Biology)

Research Question: How does water in various locations in Taipei differ? Are the different samples of water from Taipei suitable for human intake?

Control Group: Heated distilled water

Tests:
 * Bacteria growth in agar
 * Presence of Bacteria (microscope)
 * Nitrite
 * pH levels for different the water samples
 * Miscellaneous probe tests

**pH Levels for different ions** pH is a measure of the negative logarithm of the mol/dm3 of dissolved H3O+, damage body
 * 1) Why test it?

The pH should ideally be 7, and hard water is considered to hav a pH of 8.5 or greater (6-8.5pH)
 * 1) What results?

pH strips are dipped into water and their resulting colors are matched with a chart that indicates the pH level. **Bacteria Growth in Agar:** Bacteria poses a threat in any kind of water and can cause different diseases. Through this test, we can tell if the water in Taiwan is actually in good quality.
 * 1) How do you do it?
 * 1) Why test?

We might find that pond water may have a higher number of colonies than other water samples
 * 1) What results?

A nutrient medium in the petridish using agar, which is a food supply for bacteria. Then, a water sample is streaked on the nutrient medium. The petridish is then covered and placed in an incubator. Overtime, the bacteria will grow in colonies of which can be identified. Through this process, the amount of bacteria within the water sample can be determined.
 * 1) How do you do it?

Results of Agar dish after 2 days:
 * [[image:Xindian_Tap_Water.jpg height="110"]] || [[image:Tian_Mu_River_Water.jpg width="144" height="116"]] || [[image:Drinking_Water.jpg height="110"]] ||
 * Xindian Tap Water || Tien Mu River Water || Bottled Drinking Water ||
 * [[image:Deionized_Water.jpg height="115"]] || [[image:Alex's_Tap_Water.jpg height="108"]] || [[image:Alex's_Pond_Water.jpg height="112"]] ||
 * Deionized Water (Control) || Alex's House Tap Water || Pond Water ||


 * Presence of bacteria (via microscope):**

If there is presence of bacteria in each sample of water to determine the suitability of drinking. High bacteria amount in a water sample suggests that it may be unsuitable.
 * 1) Why test?

It may be likely that pond water may have presence of bacteria.
 * 1) What results?

Put a drop of water in each sample in different slides and using a light microscope, check if there is a presence of bacteria.
 * 1) How do you do it?

Conclusions: The pH levels of the pond and river water were considerably lower than those of the samples from tap and bottled water, suggesting that water found in the outdoors is more acidic. Interestingly, however, the biochemical oxygen demand of the pond differs greatly from the demand of the river (by just under 12 mg) despite the similar pH levels, and the pond also had a much higher nitrate level than the river water. This could be due to the fact that the river water was a moving water source while the pond water was not. Only the pond and river water samples showed signs of bacteria colonization, which meant that the tap water and bottled water were relatively pure.