Dependence of Man on the Environment Essay - 275 Words

Dependence of Man on the Environment (Essay Sample) Content: Dependence of Man on the EnvironmentNameSCI 207: Dependence of Man on the EnvironmentInstructorDateAbstractIn this study, various aspects of testing, analyzing, and the treatment of water of different quality are considered. These aspects are then studied under the light of their reliability in the delivery of drinking water to residential areas. The methods employed involve the setting of a base line, which will show the deviation from the standard quality of water for drinking. The other tests, including the intentional soiling of water with contaminants and cross-m testing the standard treatment methods and checking for contamination in the water collected at the final stage. A test involving the use of bottled water as a comparison to tap water, using bottled water as the datum for all conclusion (Hambsch, 2013).). This test involved testing for chemical contaminants including Ammonia, Chlorides, Iron, Phosphates and a 4-1 using an e-lab kit. There were results of contamination of the tap water, with significant amounts of chemical and suspended contaminants, since they showed visible effects on the chemical agent testing used in the study.Introduction Water is a commonly available natural resource which is a requirement for survival by mankind as a species. Its necessity to other species cannot however be overlooked, since all living species do require water for any kind of prosperity. This is however limited by the poor human management of this crucial resource. We manage water in a very wasteful and careless manner, and this has brought with it serious consequences, not only to our species- but the poor handling of water and its sources causes issues with the whole system. Pollution by mankind has become a threat to other species on the planet, by origins such as industrial output, agricultural waste and poor water management, including our impact on climate change- which actively affects the water (Bensel Turk, 2014). The necessity of action towards cleaning up of the environment has amounted to levels that may not be attained. The quality of drinking water supplied to homes and institutions as tap water is questionable under the consideration of the above issues raised on the safety of naturally available water. The real question lies in whether the methods used in treating the water from natural collection points are reliable, and the extent to which the methods in question may be placing the users if the water at risk. This study is crucial in the study if such risks, and analysis of any possible effect of consumption of the water. The expectation from the tests is that the water will be:Chemically contaminated (as compared to bottled water) (Duhigg, 2009)Oil, vinegar, and laundry detergent will able to contaminate the ground water. All three will be present in the ground water. Plastic bottles can leak toxins into the water, contaminating the water they holdExhaust from airplanes and cars, along with paints , fertilizers, and chemicals, have a negative effect on the water and soil that they need to live in.Demand for products made from wood and humans desire for beef products have cleared out huge areas of forest. The flowers that were in the wild have been removed to make way for farmingChanging the natural area of flowers has lessened the food supply for bees (Li Chu, 2003)Materials and Methods In the first test, to find out the effect of ground water contamination, I used four different beakers to measure the amount of contamination that would reach the ground water. The first one was just water which was the base line to compare the others for look and smell. The second and third were done with oil, vinegar, and laundry detergent. All resources in this case were from elab, with the exception of the water which was directly from the tap. For water treatment, the test was done the same as the first except that, this time several layers of filtration such as sand, gravel, charcoa l alum, and bleach were added while carefully observing the amounts, if any, of contamination that would make it through the filtration system. For the drinking water quality test, I took testing strips from the elab kit and used one that tested for chloride, ammonia, iron, phosphate, and a 4-1. Each water source had its own set of test strips. I used the following methodology; I filled beakers 1 - 4 with 100 mL of water.I then added 10 mL of vegetable oil to Beaker 2. I then thoroughly stirred with a wooden stir stick. Record your observations of the water.The next step was to add 10 mL of vinegar to beaker 3, and then mix thoroughly with a wooden stir stick. I recorded the observations at this stage. Here one was to add 10 mL of liquid laundry detergent to beaker 4, mix thoroughly with a wooden stir stick and then record the observations.Next part of the testing was to fold one piece of the cheesecloth so that I would have a piece that is four layers thick and big enough to line the funnel. I placed it inside the funnel and poured through the water from the four different beakers into clean beakers and repeat the observation process.The second part of our testing was to see how a water treatment plant removes contaminates. The procedure involved adding 100 mL of soil to the 250 mL beaker and then filling to the 200 mL mark with water. The soil solution back was poured back and forth between the two 250 mL beakers for a total of 15 times. After the solution was created, I poured 10 mL of the now contaminated water into a clean 100 mL beaker. This sample will be used to compare to the treated water at the end of the filtration process. I them used the cheese cloth to filter the contaminated water. The contaminated water had then been filtered. I then had to compare the newly treated water with the 10 mL sample of the initial contaminated water. (Duhigg, 2009)ResultsTable 1: Water Observations For the Smell, and ColorBeakerObservations1The water has no Smell, and it looks like standard drinking water2The bubbles start to appear as soon as the oil hits the water and the water becomes cloudy. The bubbles of oil drops appear right away, after stirring the oil begins to separate from the water floating on top.3After introducing the vinegar, the water had a slight tint and strong smell of vinegar. It was hard to see the color changes unless it was compared to the drinking water.4The water became cloudy with bubbles pushing upward as it was stirred and large bubbles and a smell of fresh spring lingered after the stirring stopped5The volume of water was reduced by 30ml. The color was brown and a few particles were through the water at different levels, most of which sank to the bottom after I stopped stirring6The volume of water was reduced by 40ml. The color was a darker brown. A slight layer of oil floats on top of the water.7The volume of water was reduced by 15ml. The water is a light brown and the vinegar smell is stronger8The volume of water was reduced by 35ml. The water has a cloudy brown look and some bubbles stick to one side. The smell is not as strong, but is noticeableTable 2: Ammonia Test ResultsWater SampleTest ResultsTap Water0Dasani Bottled Water0Fiji Bottled Water0Table 3: Chloride Test ResultsWater SampleTest ResultsTap Water0Dasani Bottled Water0Fiji Bottled Water0Table 4: 4 in 1 Test ResultsWater SamplepHTotal AlkalinityTotal ChlorineTotal HardnessTap Water740050Dasani Bottled Water5800.150Fiji...