Experimental Assignment

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Problem Statement: A small residential lake is situated between a corn field and a road. There are 4 houses located around the perimeter of the lake. The lake is stocked with Large-mouth Bass for fishing. No motor boats of any kind are allowed on the lake. The road is dirt and gravel. Both the road and the corn field are in the watershed of the lake. The lake has experienced a fish kill and a significant number of dead animals are scattered around the perimeter of the lake. The color of the lake has changed to a turquoise or greenish- blue like color. It is the middle of August. The residents have called you to help determine the cause(s) and suggest a possible solution. com field Lake Road Houses Assignment: This is an individual assignment 1. Define the experiment objectives (do not quote or just reword the problem statement). How do you plan on proceeding? (Scientific Method) 2. Research and show/discuss relevant case studies. How does each case study tie in to the current problem? Case studies are to come from the contiguous 48 states (United States excluding Alaska and Hawaii). (minimum of 3) 3. Select and explain dependent variables and independent variables to be measured or controlled. 4. Select appropriate test methods (tests). Minimum of ten (10) methods. No more than 15 methods. Methods chosen should include some methods not specifically covered in the lab. 5. Explain why each method was selected. What does each method measure? What would the results tell if they are high and if they are low? Example: What constitutes a high TKN reading on the lake water? How would a high TKN reading be interpreted and what could be a possible source of that high reading? (Do not copy the actual test procedure, that is not what I am looking for) 6. Discuss sampling protocol (frequency and location). Statistically, what is the required number of data points? 7. A conclusion with probable cause(s) and possible remedies is required. 8. Show all references with proper citations (ASCE in-text references and reference page). Minimum of 8 sources. Two of the references must be from a professional source, i.e. journal or peer reviewed document (these should come from the library or their online database). Independent & Dependent Variables Independent Variables (IV) & Dependent Variables (DV) In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is varied or manipulated by the researcher, and the dependent variable is the response that is measured. An independent variable is the presumed cause, whereas the dependent variable is the presumed effect. The IV is the antecedent, whereas the DV is the consequent. In experiments, the IV is the variable that is controlled and manipulated by the experimenter; whereas the DV is not manipulated, instead the DV is observed or measured for variation as a presumed result of the variation in the IV. "In nonexperimental research, where there is no experimental manipulation, the IV is the variable that 'logically' has some effect on a DV. For example, in the research on cigarette- smoking and lung cancer, cigarette-smoking, which has already been done by many subjects, is the independent variable." (Kerlinger, 1986, p.32) When reseaerchers are not able to actually control and manipulate an IV, it is technically referred to as a status variable (e.g., gender, ethnicity, etc.). Even though researchers do not actually control or manipulate status variables, researchers can, and often do, treat them as IVs (Heppner, Kivlighan & Wampold, 1999). "The DV refers to the status of the 'effect'or outcome) in which the researcher is interested; the independent variable refers to the status of the presumed 'cause,' changes in which lead to changes in the status of the dependent variable...any event or condition can be conceptualized as either an independent or a dependent variable. For example, it has been observed that rumor- mongering can sometimes cause a riot to erupt, but it has also been observed that riots can cause rumors to surface. Rumors are variables that can be conceived of as causes (IVs) and as effects (DVs)." (Rosenthal & Rosnow, 1991, p. 71) Some Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables The following is a hypothesis for a study. 1. "There will be a statistically significant difference in graduation rates of at-risk high-school seniors who participate in an intensive study program as opposed to at-risk high-school seniors who do not participate in the intensive study program." (LaFountain & Bartos, 2002, p. 57) IV: Participation in intensive study program. DV: Graduation rates. Short list of analytical methods: 1. Ammonia 2. BETX 3. Chloride 4. COD 5. Turbidity 6. EP Tox 7. Fluoride 8. Hardness 9. Metals (Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Se, As, Zn...etc) 10. Nitrate 11.PH 12. Phosphate 13. Solids 14. Specific Conductance 15. Sulfate 16. Temperature 17. TOC 18. Total Coliform 19, TPH 20. VOC's This is not an exhaustive list, but a guide to and for method selection. Include the method name and/or method number and source in your report (i.e. EPA or Standard Methods). Some of the above methods are not suitable for this assignment. At least one method chosen for your paper cannot come from this list.
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CASE STUDY: ALGAE BLOOM IN A LAKE
NAME
OBJECTIVES


To study the relationship between human behaviors and water quality impairments
that lead to a toxic algal bloom in a lake.



To establish the possible cause of the algae bloom

WORK PLAN
To understand the prevailing problem, extensive reading was to be required to identify the
various possibilities. Various test methods will be presented for investigation. The green-blue
color gives a rough idea of the presence of algae in the lake. This rough idea combined with
the description of the locality that has been provided makes it possible to suggest the various
test methods that can be used to identify the problem and state the source of the problem.
This will be done by comparing the dependent and independent variables to establish any
form of relationship. Upon identification of the problem and its source, possible remedies
will be suggested.
RELATED CASE STUDIES
Case 1: St. Marys Lake, Ohio
In 2010, Danny and his wife had gone swimming in St. Marys Lake. They were accompanied
by their Dog. It was during summer. The lake was covered in thick green reeking and slime.
Danny washed the dog and some of the gunk got in his left eye. A week later, Danny fell ill
displaying symptoms such as stomach problems, unable to feel the left side, stomach
problems, slurred speech among others. The eyes of the dog turned yellow and after some
day it died (Marshall 2012).
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It was discovered that the scum that coated the dog during his swim was the cyanobacteria or
blue-green algae. The tests that were conducted detected the presence of neurotoxins and
liver toxins which are secreted by cyanobacteria. The doctor who attended to Danny advised
him that he had been affected by algal toxins which he got exposed to while the dog. The
doctor concluded that Danny had contracted encephalitis from the toxins of algal bloom.
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Case 2: Lake Erie, Ohio
In 2011, Lake Erie was blooms that were record -setting. This lake was used as the source of
drinking water for the City of Toledo (Michalak et al. 2013). The lake water turned bluegreen and it occurred during summer. To treat the lake water, the City of Toledo had to part
with an extra $3000 to $4000 each given day to obtain safe drinking water. Even when the
large bloom cleared, the taste and odor which originated from the non-toxic compounds gave
the water dirty test (Marshall 2012).
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Case 3: Lake Menomin, Wisconsin
In this case, a lady by the name Carol Hake narrates about the unpleasant algae bloom in
Lake Menomin. He notes that there is a stench that comes from the lake. This not only makes
them close the windows but also, they avoid going to the backyard. This is because the
Wisconsin Department of health services raised an alarm that the algae blooms in the lake
were causing health problems to those living close to the lake. A dog was linked to dying
because of this situation. This forced the department to collect air-quality samples to test if
there could be traces of algae particles in the air. The department of health services advised
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people and their pets to keep off the lakes that had been affected by the blue-green algae
(Marshall 2012). The department also noted the possibility of the presence of dried algae
particles in the air which could cause problems once inhaled. However, it highlighted that
ingesting water that had been contaminated with that blue-green algae was more harmful and
could cause serious health issues.
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Summary of the Case Studies
From the ca...


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