Discussion Questions

The questions below are suggestions for follow-up discussions or assignments. Students could address some or all of these questions, or try to make comparisons of their own.

1. Did any of your results indicate poor water quality? If so, which ones? Explain your reasoning.
2. Did any of your results indicate good water quality? If so, which ones? Explain your reasoning.
3. Are any of your results not what you expected them to be? Which ones? Explain your reasoning.
4. How did the dissolved oxygen level of your water sample compare to the BOD level? Did you see any relationship between the two? If so, what was it?
5. How did the dissolved oxygen level of your water sample compare to the carbon dioxide level? Did you notice a lot of plant life in the water? How might this relate to carbon dioxide levels?
6. Is there a relationship between dissolved oxygen levels and the types of plants, animals, or other organisms you found in the water? If so, describe the relationship.
7. Is there a relationship between BOD levels and the types of plants, animals, or other organisms you found in the water? If so, describe the relationship.
8. Do you think that your water source is a good environment for fish and other organisms to survive based on pH levels? Why or why not?
9. Is there a relationship between nitrate and phosphate levels and observed algae or plant life in the water? If so, describe the relationship.
10. Is there a relationship between turbidity level and the type and variety of organisms found in the water? If so, describe the relationship.
11. Is there any relationship between dissolved oxygen levels and turbidity? Between BOD levels and turbidity?
12. Look at the database of results. Do you see a relationship between dissolved oxygen levels and water temperature? If so, describe the relationship.
13. Look at the database of results. Do you see a relationship between temperature and BOD levels? If so, describe the relationship.
14. Is there a relationship between water quality and types of organisms present in your water supply?
15. Look at all the schools' data collected for this project. Do your relationships hold true for other schools' results as well?
16. Pick one other school collaborating in this project and make a comparison between your water supplies.