ISP217L Fall2014 LabManual
Water and the Environment Laboratory
ISP 217L -Sections 4, 5, 6
Fall 2014
Laboratory Manual*
Table of Contents
Exercise Page
Lab 1. How much does temperature vary in large and small aquatic environments? 2
Lab 2. What determines the water clarity of lakes, rivers and oceans? 4
Lab 3. How are flow, turbidity, and precipitation related for the Red Cedar River? 5
Lab 4. Where does the phosphorus go? 9
Lab 5. How does human activity in watersheds affect the quality of lakes and rivers? 11
Lab 6. Are the Great Lakes being influenced by the global greenhouse effect? 15
* Note that the Excel Manual is a separate booklet.
Revised 8/14 JDW
Lab 1
How much does temperature vary in large and small aquatic environments?
Introduction
One of the most important physical properties of water, with respect to aquatic environments, is specific heat. Water has a high specific heat, which means that it takes a relatively large amount of energy to raise the temperature of water, much more energy than is needed to raise the air temperature by the same amount. This physical property has consequences for the amount of temperature variation we might expect in and around aquatic environments. The central question of interest in this exercise is how the size of an aquatic habitat influences the extent of temperature variation within it.
Objectives
After completing this lab, you should be able to calculate the mean (average) and standard deviation of a range of data in a spreadsheet, and make plots of temperature over time. You should also gain a hands-on appreciation for how temperature varies in water versus air, and in large versus small volumes of water. Ultimately, we hope you will gain a better understanding of how large bodies of water influence the climate of nearby regions.
Tools
The Lab 1 exercise will span two weeks; it is important to keep in mind that both weeks’ activities must be included in the Lab
ISP 217L -Sections 4, 5, 6
Fall 2014
Laboratory Manual*
Table of Contents
Exercise Page
Lab 1. How much does temperature vary in large and small aquatic environments? 2
Lab 2. What determines the water clarity of lakes, rivers and oceans? 4
Lab 3. How are flow, turbidity, and precipitation related for the Red Cedar River? 5
Lab 4. Where does the phosphorus go? 9
Lab 5. How does human activity in watersheds affect the quality of lakes and rivers? 11
Lab 6. Are the Great Lakes being influenced by the global greenhouse effect? 15
* Note that the Excel Manual is a separate booklet.
Revised 8/14 JDW
Lab 1
How much does temperature vary in large and small aquatic environments?
Introduction
One of the most important physical properties of water, with respect to aquatic environments, is specific heat. Water has a high specific heat, which means that it takes a relatively large amount of energy to raise the temperature of water, much more energy than is needed to raise the air temperature by the same amount. This physical property has consequences for the amount of temperature variation we might expect in and around aquatic environments. The central question of interest in this exercise is how the size of an aquatic habitat influences the extent of temperature variation within it.
Objectives
After completing this lab, you should be able to calculate the mean (average) and standard deviation of a range of data in a spreadsheet, and make plots of temperature over time. You should also gain a hands-on appreciation for how temperature varies in water versus air, and in large versus small volumes of water. Ultimately, we hope you will gain a better understanding of how large bodies of water influence the climate of nearby regions.
Tools
The Lab 1 exercise will span two weeks; it is important to keep in mind that both weeks’ activities must be included in the Lab