Saturday, April 2, 2016

Chapter 2 - Review of Related Literature and Studies



Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature and Studies
                This chapter presents a review of literature and studies that were found significantly related to the present Water Analysis. It also included a gap bridged by the study and an analytical framework.
Related Literature
                Water is very important to life. Without water, life may not exist. Having water is not enough, it must be clean water. To know what clean water is, parameters are used to test its safety for the use of humans.
                Coliform is found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals including humans. The presence of fecal coliform in drinking water or at swimming sites is evidence that human or animal waste has been or is present.1
                Turbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. The more total suspended solids in the water, the murkier it seems and the higher the turbidity.3
                Temperature of water is a pHysical property expressing how hot or cold water is. As hot and cold are both arbitrary terms, temperature can further be defined as a measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance.4
                pH is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 - 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. PH is really a measure of the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the water.5
                Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important indicators of water quality. It is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. Oxygen dissolved in surface water due to the aerating action of winds. Oxygen is also introduced into the water as a byproduct of aquatic plant pHotosynthesis.6
                Conductivity is defined as 'the ability or power to conduct or transmit heat, electricity, or sound'. Its units are Siemens per meter [S/m] in SI and millimhos per centimeter [mmho/cm] in U.S. customary units. Its symbol is k or s.7
                Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is also the amount of salt in a liquid substance.8
Related Studies
                In a study by Welch, Nancy et al, it focused on the factors on what factors could affect coliform growth. They have found great presence of e-coli bacteria in places with great amount of coliform. Also, they considered the filtration of an area to affect coliform growth.2
                In another study, it attempted to find measures of turbidity and pH affecting the particles in the water. It showed that the more turbid the water, the more organisms in the water. Also, the more acidic the water, the less particles in the water.9
                In a study by the Central Arizona Government, they discussed that water with a TDS over 1,200 mg/L is generally designated at unacceptable for human consumption by the World Health Organization (1996) because it may cause adverse health effects, such as diarrhea. It is typically rejected as a drinking water source in ranges between 900-1,200 mg/L because it can affect the taste and color of water. TDS does not have a set Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) and is therefore not regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A Secondary MCL (SMCL) of 500 mg/L is set for TDS, but a SMCL is not an enforceable limit.10
Gap Bridged by the Study
                There are many studies focusing on the safety of water considering coliform, turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity. Some used all of these parameters in one research while others used only some at a time. Some focused on drinking water while some focused on environmental water. While some studies have similarities to the present water analysis, none so far has ever conducted a study similar to the present study which attempted to find the differences between salt water and fresh water in terms of coliform, turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity. This is the gap bridged by the study.
Analytical Framework
                The present water analysis entitled: Identifying the Differences between Salt Water and Fresh Water in terms of Coliform, Turbidity, Temperature, PH, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity and Salinity, aimed to know the differences of salt water and fresh water to determine water’s safety. These parameters were tested using the proper procedures that should be followed.

NOTES
1http://www.healthvermont.gov/enviro/water/coliform.aspx
4www.fondriest.com/environmental.../parameters/water.../water-temperature/
5water.usgs.gov/edu/pH.html
6www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu
7www.lenntech.com/applications/.../conductivity/water-conductivity.htm
8https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salinity
10 https://www.pHoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/yourwater/salinity-impacts-on-water/salinity-study












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