Effect of Damming on Water Quality Conditions for Salmon in the Yakima River

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of damming on water quality conditions for salmon in the Yakima River. 

I became interested in this idea because the effect of damming on salmon is an important issue today. Also, I went on a field trip to Rosa Dam last year. 

The information gained from this experiment could benefit fishermen, because they will know where to fish for salmon, and it will benefit environmentalists, dam builders and the general public.

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that there would be more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.

I based my hypothesis on a quote from the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring that stated, “Waves on lakes and slow-moving rivers, and tumbling water on fast-moving rivers act to mix atmospheric oxygen with water.” The water stopped by the dam is moving slower than the water before it is stopped by the dam, so there would be more dissolved oxygen in the water before it is stopped by the dam.

My second hypothesis was that the water would be colder below the dam than above.

I based this hypothesis on the Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring that said dissolved oxygen and temperature are related. Colder water has more dissolved oxygen. I thought that the fast-moving water would have more dissolved oxygen, so I also thought that it would be colder.

  

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:

• The river being tested
• The dam
• Testing method
• Time tested
• Frequency of testing
• Depth of water
• Distance from shore
• Testing equipment

The manipulated variable was the location of testing: Roza Recreation Site (slowed water) and Big Pines Recreation Site (fast-moving.)

The responding variables were the dissolved oxygen and temperature of the water.

To measure the responding variable I used a thermometer and a dissolved oxygen test kit. 

MATERIALS

               

QUANTITY	ITEM DESCRIPTION
1	Dissolved Oxygen Bottle
8	Dissolved Oxygen 1 Powder Pillows
8	Dissolved Oxygen 2 Powder Pillows
8	Dissolved Oxygen 3 Powder Pillows
1	Thermometer
1	Square Mixing Bottle
1	Plastic Tube

PROCEDURES

  

I. Select Test Sites

II. Temperature Test

1. Hold the thermometer underwater for 2-3 minutes

2. Remove and record the reading.

3. Repeat steps 1-2 three more times.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 at other test site.

III. Dissolved Oxygen Test

1. Hold dissolved oxygen bottle under water for 2-3 minutes.

2. Remove from the water and insert the stopper.

3. Remove the stopper and add one Dissolved Oxygen 1 Reagent Powder Pillow and one Dissolved Oxygen 2 Reagent Powder Pillow.

4. Shake vigorously. Brownish-orange precipitate (floc) will form if oxygen is present.

5. Wait for floc to settle to about half of the bottle.

6. Shake the bottle again and wait for the same results.

7. Add one Dissolved Oxygen 3 Reagent Powder Pillow and shake. The sample should turn yellow.

8. Fill plastic tube with the sample. 

9. Pour the contents of the tube into the square-mixing bottle.

10. Add Sodium Thiosulfate Standard Solution one drop at a time until sample is colorless. Swirl after each drop.

11. The total number of drops used equals the mg/L Dissolved Oxygen.

12. Clean all bottles and tubes.

13. Repeat steps 1-12 three more times.

14. Repeat steps 1-13 at other test site.

  

RESULTS

The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of damming on water quality conditions for salmon in the Yakima River.

The results of the experiment were that, in the temperature test, the temperature was the same in both locations, at an average of 3.3∞ C. For the dissolved oxygen test, there were slightly higher dissolved oxygen levels in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by Roza Dam. The average dissolved oxygen level in the slow-moving water was 34.75 mg/L and the average dissolved oxygen level in the fast-moving water was 45.75 mg/L.

  CONCLUSION

My first hypothesis was that there would be more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.

The results of this experiment indicate that my first hypothesis should be accepted because there was, on average, 11 mg/L more dissolved oxygen in the fast-moving water before it is stopped by the dam.

 My second hypothesis was that the water would be colder below the dam than above.

The results of this experiment indicate that my second hypothesis should be rejected because the temperature was the same at both locations, at 3.3∞ C.

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if a larger dam would have a bigger impact and, also I wonder if dams affect other water quality conditions.

If I were to conduct this project again, I would do it in the summer so there would be a bigger flow rate difference between the two locations and I would do many more tests over a longer period of time.  

Researched by - Michelle M.

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Effect of Spring Resistance on Speed of a Remote Control Car

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of spring resistance on the speed of a remote control car on various racecourses.

I became interested in this idea because for the past two years I have had a strong interest in cars and wondered what resistance of springs made the car go fastest through turns.

The information gained from this experiment could help racers, and people who use 4 wheel drive recreational vehicles to know what springs to buy to go fastest.

  

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that the springs with the most resistance would create the fastest times on all three courses.

I based my hypothesis on a statement by Michael Seal, the leader of the Technological Institute at Western Washington University, who said that softer springs create loss of cornering power.

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:

•  The weight of the car

•  The turning distance of controller

•  The battery power

•  The course size

•  Road Surface

The manipulated variable was the resistance of the springs in the back and front of the car.

The responding variable was the speed of the car through the three courses.

To measure the responding variable I used a stopwatch.

  

MATERIALS

    

QUANTITY	ITEM DESCRIPTION
1	XMOD Customizable RC Car
4	XMOD Springs of different resistance
1	Metronome that can be set to 40 and 80 bpm
1	Stopwatch
1	Pencil and note book
36	“AAA” Batteries

 PROCEDURES

1. Set up car for circle testing

           a.) install first set of springs (least resistance) 

           b.) Install new batteries

           c.) Set car at about one third up the centerline

2. Complete circle testing

           a.) Turn steering wheel as far counter-clockwise as possible

           b.) Go to full throttle and start the timer

          c.) After 3 laps stop the timer

3.     Repeat steps 2a-2c going clockwise

4.     Adjust controller to maintain consistent slow speed

5.     Repeat step 2 at slow speed

6.     Repeat steps two through five with all resistances of springs

7.     Find speed of car

              d.) Run car at full throttle

              e.) Go for thirty feet

              f.) Divide the speed by thirty

7.    Adjust controller to maintain consistent slow speed

8.    Complete Speed tests

  RESULTS

The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of spring resistance on the speed of a remote control car on various racecourses.

The results of the experiment were that the stiffest springs had the fastest time in two of the three categories at full throttle. In the straight speed the stiffest springs lead by about .23 seconds.  In the circle to the right the softest springs had a slight edge of .05 seconds over the stiff springs. The circle to right was done fastest by the stiff springs with a time of 13.56, 1 second faster than the soft springs. But overall the softest springs ended up having the fastest time in all three courses.

 

  CONCLUSION

My hypothesis was that the springs with the most resistance would create the fastest times on both courses.

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected.

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if different tire shapes or materials would affect the turning ability or speed.  I also wonder if different chassis weights would affect the turning ability.

If I were to conduct this project again I would have found a better designed car to be as consistent as I could. I also would have done the experiment in the summer so that I could do it outside. In the winter the cold slows down the mechanics in the chassis.  I think a slalom test would be far better than any of the tests I was able to conduct with the car available.

Researched by - Dan

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Effect Of An Oil Water Separator's Shape On It's Effectiveness

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the shape of an oil-water separator affected how effectively it separated oil from water

I became interested in this idea when Mr. Norm Hepner, a department of ecology professional engineer, informed me that some oil-water separators could be more effective than others.

The information gained from this experiment will affect us all because if oil mixes with wastewater it is a danger to everyone. It is people who own or manage parking lots or carwashes who have the legal responsibility to make their wastewater cleaner, but all of us are affected.

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that the circular shaped oil water separator would work better because it has less dead space (places where the water sits in one spot) so the oil would have less setting time in the primary chamber

I based my hypothesis on my understanding of fluid dynamic principles and oil water chemistry (stoke’s law).  Fluid dynamics are the characteristics of how a fluid will act, this is also known as Fluid mechanics.  Oil water chemistry depends on something’s density and its viscosity.  The density is a measure of a quantity such as mass per unit volume, and the viscosity is how thick or sticky something is.  Stokes law is the formula showing the velocity at which a less dense liquid will rise through a more dense liquid. 

 EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:

• Size of buckets
• Temperature of water
• Amount of water
• Amount of oil
• Type of oil
• Rate at which mixture was poured in
• Size of polypropylene pads
• Polypropylene Pad absorbency

The manipulated variable was the shape of the oil-water separators.

The responding variable was how much oil was in the polypropylene at the end of the experiment.

To measure the responding variable I used a scale to measure the change in mass of the polypropylene pad after it had absorbed the oil. 

MATERIALS

                      

QUANTITY	ITEM DESCRIPTION
1	rectangular 7.5 liter bucket
1	rounded 7.5 liter bucket
4	gallons of water
1	gallon of oil
6	pads of polypropylene
2	nozzle
3	separate buckets to mix oil and water in
1	drill
1	paint stirring rod
1	caulking gun
2	tubes of Epoxy

PROCEDURES

1. Build two separators

a) Find measurements of separators

b) Cut separator to required lengths

c) Put divider in bucket

d) Use epoxy to keep in bucket

e) Wait for epoxy to dry

f) Drill hole in side of bucket

g) Place plastic nozzle in separator

h) Put epoxy on nozzle to secure

i) Wait for epoxy to dry

j) Repeat steps A-I using other separator  

2. Fill Separator with clean water

3. Cut 6 polypropylene pads

4. Weigh all polypropylene pads

5. Weigh all Ziploc bags

6. Place 1 pad in each of the six bags

7. Weigh all bags containing pads

8. Pour .5 liters of oil into solution bucket

9. Pour 7 liters of water into solution bucket

10. Pour 7.5 liters of water into separator

11. Use paint stirring rod to mix solution

12.  Open solution bucket valve

13. Open separator nozzle

14. Wait for solution bucket to empty

15. Close separator nozzle

16. Let it sit for 5 minutes

17. Place polypropylene pad in collection bucket

18. Stir around for 5 minutes

19. Take pad out of bucket

20. Hang up to dry

21. Wait 45 minutes

22. Place in Ziploc bag

23. Put rubber band around bag

24. Place on scale

25. Measure weight

26. Clean out all buckets and separators

27. Repeat steps 2-26 for trials 2 and 3

28. Repeat steps 2-27 using other separator

RESULTS

The original purpose of this experiment was to find if an oil water separator’s shape affected the separator’s ability to do its job.

 The results of the experiment were that the square separator worked better than the circular separator, I know this because the square had an average weight gain of 42.13 grams, where as the circular separator had an average weight gain of 50.37.  I think this was because the circular did not have as much surface area causing the oil to go down deeper and letting it pass through the separator.

 CONCLUSION

My hypothesis was that the circular separator would work better because there would be less dead spaces.

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected because the square separator was more effective than the circular.

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if varying the depth of the separator would have any effect on how the oil water separator performs.

If I were to conduct this project again I would make the separators have the same surface area to eliminate the possibility of that having an effect on the experiment.  I would also have more trials, and test lighter and heavier types of oil.

Researched by - Taylor S

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Does Golf Ball Bounciness Affect Distance Traveled?

 PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of golf ball bounciness on the distance it traveled.

I became interested in this idea when I first started playing golf and wondered which type of ball was the best to use. 

The information gained from this experiment would benefit golfers around the world to know which type of ball to play.

  

HYPOTHESIS

My hypothesis was that the ball that bounced the highest would go the furthest when hit by the club.

I based my hypothesis on Microsoft Encarta as it stated momentum equals mass Times velocity.  

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:

• The club used.
• The golf ball hitting mechanism.
• Location
• Type of tees
• Height of ball
• How far the club is pulled back.

The manipulated variable was the brand of golf balls.

The responding variable was the distance the golf balls traveled.

To measure the responding variables I used a tape measure to determine how far the golf ball went. 

                        MATERIALS

                            

QUANTITY	ITEM DESCRIPTION
24	Golf balls (3 each of 8 different brands.
1	Screwdriver.
1	36-by-36-inch plywood section _ inches thick.
3	2-by-4-inch wood sections.
2	Eye lag bolts.
2	3-inch plywood.
5	golf tees.
1	Tape measure.
25	Screws.
1	Metal door spring inch in diameter and 6 inches in length.
1	7-iron.
20	Sheet rock screws.

PROCEDURES

Conduct the bounce test

1. Group all golf balls together.

2. Select a hard surface next to a wall.

3. Tape a tape measure to the wall vertically.

4. Drop the ball from six feet.

5. Measure the height of the golf ball and record.

6. Repeat steps 4-5 6 times with the same ball and find the average.

7. Repeat steps 4-6 with the other golf balls.

Conduct the distance test

1. Place golf ball hitting mechanism on level ground in an outside area.

2. Place ball on tee.

3. Pull back on the club to its maximum point and release.

4. Measure where the ball hit first.

5. Repeat steps 3-4 6 times with the same ball.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 with the other golf balls.

  

RESULTS

The original purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of golf ball bounciness on the distance it traveled.

The results of the experiment were that the pinnacle golf ball went the furthest and the maxfli ball went the least furthest.   

CONCLUSION

My hypothesis was that the ball that bounced the highest would go the furthest when hit by the club.

    
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted because the golf ball that bounced the highest went the furthest. 

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if it would be the same results if a different club was used.  If a larger club like a 3 iron was used would the results be the same. 

If I were to conduct this project again I would use different type of golf club to see if the results indicate the same data.  I would also conduct the experiment in a different place like a golf course.  

Researched by  - Tyler  S. 

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