In the runoff lab, our AP Environmental class tested different samples of the water in the areas surrounding our school.

The Salinity Test was conducted in order to tell the amount of dissolved salts and other particles in the water. The amount of dissolved particles in the water helps determine the type of organisms that live there. The results are: (The scale indicates relative density and was converted to specific gravity in class.)

Mill Pond: 26.4
Stream: 26.1
Beekman Beach: 26.2
Roosevelt Beach: 26.7
Francis Pond: 26.5

The Nitrate Nitrogen Test was conducted to determine the amount of nitrates in the waters. Nitrates are distributed the water mainly as a runoff of fertilizers. The greater the amount of nitrates, the worse off the water is. The results are:

Mill Pond: 1 ppm
Stream: 1 ppm
Beekman Beach: 2 ppm
Roosevelt Beach: 0 ppm
Francis Pond: 0 ppm

The Phosphate Test was conducted to determine the amount of phosphates in the waters. A reading of 1 ppm in the phosphate test is considered very good, anything over 10 is not good at all. The results are:

Mill Pond: .2 ppm
Stream: .2 ppm
Beekman Beach: .2 ppm
Roosevelt Beach: .2 ppm
Francis Pond: .1 ppm

The Clarity Test was preformed to determine the clarity of the different bodies of water. The lower the number is, the clearer the water is and the cleaner it is. (Results determined between 1 and 5). These are the results:

Mill Pond: 2
Stream: 2
Beekman Beach: 2
Roosevelt Beach: 2
Francis Pond: 2

The BOD test was conducted to determine the amount of oxygen available to organisms living in the waters; it is Biological Oxygen Demand. The oxygen is essential for decomposers in the water; they break down organic compounds to keep the water clean. The BOD level is measured in parts per million; the higher the level, the worse condition the water is in. The Results of the BOD test are:

Mill Pond: 4.8 ppm
Stream: 5 ppm
Beekman Beach: 6 ppm
Roosevelt Beach: 6 ppm
Francis Pond: 3.8 ppm