Data Processing

Prior to our procedure, we measured the temperatures of each pond area. We used the low-temperature climate (bird inaccuracy pond) to compare to the higher-temperature climate (Lake Calhoun holding pond and Lake Harriet duck area. After completing our experiment by surveying various sections of each three experimental sites, we gathered our information using a stream study. We surveyed the areas four different times for maximum proficiency. After recording each sample study four times for each area, we added up their water quality rating total index count and divided it by four, generating an average for our results. Conclusion Our groups question was: How does temperature change have an affect on the water quality of aquatic macro invertebrates?

After concluding our stream study, our group was able to determine that as temperature increased, the water quality index for aquatic macro invertebrates decreased. With the results that the stream study gave us, we were able to conclude that the area with the lowest temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (bird sanctuary) had an excellent quality rating of over 22. The Lake Calhoun holding pond (24 degrees Celsius) had a water quality rating of six, which fell under poor quality.

As for the Lake Harriet Duck Area, we were able to generate a good quality rating of 22. Thus concluding that as the temperature increased, the water quality index decreased. We believe that as temperature is higher, the pond areas are more accessible by other animals/humans, creating the water quality to be less. Some limitations we occurred during our experiment were assuring from three different environments so the surrounding environments could have had an effect on the water quality rating.

For example, the bird sanctuary pond is not accessible by people for recreational use, whereas both lake Harriet and lake Calhoun allow recreational use. This could have altered the results of our experiment. Another reason that our data could have been skewed was because recently Lake Calhoun had experienced an E-Coli problem, which is a reason the water quality was so low.