Photo by V. Miller
Nov. 14, 2007
Acid Rain and Stream Volume
The Stream Is Rising but the pH Is Falling: Acid Rain and Stream Volume
Erik Gustafson, 11, Cortland, N.Y.
Top Young Scientist of the Year, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2007
 |
| DCYSC |
Project background: Erik spends a lot of time observing the stream behind his house. He has noticed that the stream supports frogs, salamanders, and other wildlife. He lives in central New York State, which has acid rain with an average pH of 4.5. Eric investigated whether the rainfalls in his community had a measurable effect on the acidity of the stream. Erik hypothesized that there would be a direct correlation between the stream's pH and its volume, which increases after a rain. In other words, the greater the rainfall, the more acidic the water in the stream would be.
Tactics and results: Erik measured the depth of the streambed at 1-foot intervals across the stream. He then used data on the depth and velocity of the stream to calculate water volume each day for 12 weeks. He also measured the stream's pH and kept track of any daily rainfall during that period.
 |
| Photo by V. Miller |
Erik confirmed his hypothesis. He found a correlation between stream depth and pH. After most rainfalls, the pH fell from 6.5 to 4.5 or 5.0, indicating that the water had become more acidic. Ongoing acidity at this level could endanger the wildlife living in the stream, he concluded.
To get science project ideas and expert advice from Science Buddies, go to www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shmtl.
Read the latest science fair news
Get a science fair tip
Browse a list of science fair topics
Talk Back:
Do you have any comments about this ScienceFairZone? Send them
to us using the form below.
|
SNK RSS Feed 
