Research Plan for Seneca Lake

Research Question: How will the levels of dissolved oxygen and PH affect the amount of macro-invertebrate in the water.

Independent Variable: The depth of the water and sample locations.

Dependent Variable: The levels of dissolved oxygen and PH.

      As mentioned in the packet, Seneca Lake is a water source for over 100,000 people (page 18). It is vital to monitor this water to avoid letting the water quality to succumb to unhealthy levels and possibly having adverse effects on the drinking population. Scientists study macroinvertebrates to detect a body of water's dissolved oxygen and PH levels to determine whether it is fit for human consumption and is able to support life in the water. So we will measure the population of macroinvertebrates to insure the water is fit for human consumption . If there are very little to no macroinvertebrates that means the water is not safe for human consumption and people will have to go elsewhere for water.

Methods: Keep everything exactly the same throughout and follow exact procedures in each sample location.

Hypothesis: I believe that medium levels of PH and dissolved oxygen will result in a healthy amount of macroinvertebrates.

Procedure: 1.) Go to sample location. Measure depth.
                  2.) Measure PH levels using the instructions on the guide to Seneca Lake. (page 20)
                  3.) Measure dissolved oxygen levels using instructions on guide to Seneca Lake.
                       (page 20)
                  4.) Measure macroinvertebrate population using instructions on guide to Seneca Lake
                       (page 27 and 28)
                  5.) Repeat at other sample locations.

Question: What weather is predicted for the trip on Thursday?


"How Biologists Study Streams." N.p., n.d. Web. <http://chamisa.freeshell.org/science.htm>.

"Biological Monitoring." U.S Government, n.d. Web. <http://www.dep.wv.gov/wwe/watershed/bio_fish/pages/bio_fish.aspx>.

Science on Seneca. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.