Chapter 4 - Results and Discussion

Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

                Chapter 4 presents the collated data entered in matrices, the statistical analyses and interpretation of findings and their implications.

Results of Coliform Test

                This is a water analysis conducted for the purpose of determining the differences between salt water and fresh water in terms of some factors. Coliform is the waste bacteria content from humans or other life forms present in water.

Table 1

Amount of Coliform in Different Samples of Water

SAMPLE	Amount of COLIFORM
Sample 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	<18 MPN/100mL
Sample 2: Estuary (Port)	3.3 x 102 MPN/100mL
Sample 3: Salt Water (Beach)	20 MPN/100mL

                Findings of the coliform test at DOST in Legazpi City revealed that the first sample which was taken from a fresh water area which was under a bridge had less than 18 MPN/100 mL of coliform, where MPN is the most probable number. This indicates that there is very little human or animal waste in the given area. The second sample which was from port which was an estuary which is a body of water where fresh water and salt water meet. In the second sample, there was 330 MPN/100 mL of coliform which signifies a large amount of fecal waste. The last sample was taken from a salt water beach. In the last sample, there was 20 MPN/100 ml of coliform which makes the amount of coliform in the area little.

Results of Turbidity Test

                The second parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is turbidity. Turbidity is the clarity of water. It could be affected by particles or other materials in the water. High turbidity could signify that the water has other liquids or particles in it.

Table 2

Measure of Turbidity in Different Bodies of Water

Body of Water	Measure of TURBIDITY
Place 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	-
Place 2: Estuary (Port)	>188.9 cm
Place 3: Salt Water (Beach)	61.5 cm

                From the table above, it is shown that fresh water, the water from the port, is less turbid than the salt water in the beach. The port had a turbidity measurement of 188.9cm having a very large gap with the salt water with only a turbidity measurement of 61.5cm. This could mean that there are more sediments or particles in the salt water.

Results of Temperature Test

                The third parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is Temperature. Temperature is the measurement of the hotness or coolness of the water. Human activities and other sources may affect the temperature of water in specified places.

Table 3

Measure of Temperature in Different Surfaces of the Bodies of Water

Body of Water	Measure of surface TEMPERATURE
Place 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	29.1OC
Place 2: Estuary (Port)	32OC
Place 3: Salt Water (Beach)	31OC

                The different measures of temperature were measured by placing the thermometer on the surface of the water for 3 minutes. The first place had a surface temperature of 29.1⁰C. The second place had a surface temperature of 32⁰C. While the third place had a surface temperature of 31⁰C. This could show that it is coldest in fresh water and warmest in salt water, but overall, there is no significant difference between the temperatures.

Results of pH Test

                The fourth parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is pH. PH is the acidity or alkalinity of water. PH is also defined as the power of hydrogen where the greater the pH, the more basic the substance is.

Table 4

Measure of pH in Different Surfaces of the Bodies of Water

SAMPLE	Measure of pH
Sample 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	9.5
Sample 2: Estuary (Port)	9.25
Sample 3: Salt Water (Beach)	9.48

                From the gathered data, water from the bridge, the fresh water, was the most acidic water with pH of 9.5. The salt water from the beach had a very close acidity level of 9.48. The estuary had the most alkalotic water with pH of 9.25.

Results of Dissolved Oxygen Test

                The fifth parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is Dissolved Oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen combined with the water for marine life to breathe.

Table 5

Amount of Dissolved Oxygen in Different Samples of Water

SAMPLE	Amount of Dissolved Oxygen
Sample 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	7.9mg/L
Sample 2: Estuary (Port)	5.4mg/L
Sample 3: Salt Water (Beach)	13.5mg/L

                Based on the results from the water analysis device, the water from the bridge had 7.9mg/L of dissolved oxygen. The second sample had 5.4mg/L of dissolved oxygen. The third sample had 13.5mg/L of dissolved oxygen. The salt water had the greatest amount of dissolved oxygen while the estuary had the least amount. It could mean more living creatures are thriving in salt water.

Results of Conductivity Test

                The sixth parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is Conductivity. Conductivity is the ability of the water to allow electricity to pass through it.

Table 6

Measure of Conductivity in Different samples of Water

SAMPLE	Measure of Conductivity
Sample 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	12 μS/cm
Sample 2: Estuary (Port)	3512 μS/cm
Sample 3: Salt Water (Beach)	404 μS/cm

                Based on the table above, the water from the bridge had the least conductivity of 12 μS/cm. The water sample taken from the port had conductivity measurements of 3512 μS/cm. The salt water had conductivity of 404 μS/cm. This could signify that salinity does not affect the conductivity of water.

Results of Salinity Test

                The last parameter that could affect the differences between salt water and fresh water is Salinity. Salinity is the amount of salt in water.

Table 7

Amount of Salinity in Different samples of Water

SAMPLE	Measure of Salinity
Sample 1: Fresh Water (Bridge)	2.3ppt
Sample 2: Estuary (Port)	35.6ppt
Sample 3: Salt Water (Beach)	35.2ppt

                The first sample had a salinity of 2.3 ppt. The second sample had salinity of 35.6 ppt. The third sample had salinity of 35.2 ppt. The water from salt water and the estuary had both large values of salt having very little difference. The fresh water had an extremely large difference with the other two samples.