Environmental Science – Lab Reports



Water Quality Testing

Lab Report Format and Requirements

▪ Purpose / Rationale

Short – small paragraph

Why are you doing this lab?

What is the problem/issue/situation you are investigating?

Answer this question: What is water quality?

▪ Background Information / Introduction

Should end up being ~ 3 pages in length

This section familiarizes the reader with the subject of the investigation

For each of the 10 water quality properties we testing you will provide this information:

– What is the water quality property you are testing for?

– Why is it significant? / What can it tell us about the water?

– What factors/activities can change this property?

Sources should be cited and referenced at the end of the report

▪ Materials / Equipment

What did you use to do the investigation?

– List everything!

– Use bullets, not sentences

▪ Procedure

How did you do the investigation?

List of steps that anyone could follow to complete the same investigation

– Step by step directions

– Number each step

– Write in 3rd person ( NO we, you, I )

The procedures given in the lab manuals should NOT be copied verbatim

Provide essential elements of the procedure; leave out trivial details

For this investigation, only include procedures for the 10 tests discussed in the introduction.

▪ Data / Results

What were your results?

Each assessment has its own chart/table (Physical, Chemical, Habitat, Biological)

List ALL data collected

All numbers must have appropriate units

DO NOT interpret the data – that occurs in the next section

▪ Conclusion / Discussion

Should end up being ~ 3 pages in length

You must discuss the results for each of the 10 tests identified in the introduction along with any other data/results that are noteworthy.

Divide the information up into these sections:

– Restate the test result.

– What does this test result tell you about the quality of the water?

– What factors/activities present in the area may be affecting this test result?

Thoughtfully interpret the data – draw upon information you presented in the introduction

▪ References / Bibliography

What sources did you use to write your background/introduction?

McCloud Run Field Trip

Water Quality Testing Equipment

|Test |Equipment |Directions |

|Temperature |Thermometer |In BLUE Packet |

|pH |pH Strips |On Tube |

|Turbidity |Turbidity Tube | |

|Dissolved Oxygen |D.O. Kit |In Box |

|Nitrate/Nitrite |Nitrate Strips |On Tube |

|Chloride |Chloride Strips |On Tube |

|Phosphates |Phosphate Kit |In Box |

|E. Coli |Coliform Bacteria Kit |In Green Packet |

|Flow Rate |Tennis Ball |In BLUE Packet |

| |Stop Watch | |

| |Meter Stick | |

| |Tape Measure | |

|Biological Assessment |Tweezers |In GREEN Packet |

| |Net | |

| |Plastic Tub | |

| | | |

|General Needs |Clipboards |

| |Waders |

| |Towel |

| |Lawn Chair |

| |Sunscreen |

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