Amy Vallaro
Lab report
Bio 100
Chen
24 pts
8.1 Thermal Pollution Lab
Introduction
This lab observes the effects of thermal pollution on a goldfish. The goldfish is
put through a series of three tests, all of which occur in different temperatures. Within
each test, my group and I observed the fish and counted the goldfishes breathing patterns
within the different temperatures. The breathing rate of the goldfish was
measured/determined by counting each time the fish opened and closed its gills with in a
one minute time period. Before starting it was necessary to come up with a control, also
known as the basal breathing rate. The basal breathing rate is determined after counting
how many times the goldfish opened and closed its gills in a one minute time period.
(Counted three separate times, then averaged it into the BBR) Our group determined our
cold, medium, and warm temperatures that we would do our series of tests with.
Cold=14 oC, medium=20 oC, and warm=27 oC. As stated above we would test all three
of the temperatures three times each to come up with an average breathing rate for our
goldfish. Our constructed hypothesis based off of our temperatures were; If the
temperature is up, then the fishes breathing rate will be faster (part a). With our
hypothesis in place for our predictions on thermal pollution, it leads us to believe when
our fish is exposed to warmer temperatures it will open and close its gills at a faster rate,
possibly become frantic, and metabolize more quickly.
Materials and Methods
My group and I followed the steps in the lab guide for the Thermal Pollution Lab.
Results
After testing and averaging the basal rate and average temperature for our
goldfish, we came up with a basal rate of 66 breaths per minute and a temperature of 22.6
oC. (Table 1) From there we were able to analyze our results from table 3 and base
them off of 66 breaths per minute. Condition one, cold was done in 14 oC and averaged
62 breaths per minute. Condition two, medium was done at 20 oC and averaged 87
breaths per minute. Finally condition three was tested at warm; it averaged 108 breaths
per minute. (Table 3) As predicted above in our hypothesis, the goldfish did increase its
respiration the higher up the temperature became. The lab showed that when thermal
pollution was present (the warmer temperatures) that the goldfish needed more oxygen to
do its normal functions, as a result the fish was breathing, moving, etc. more rapidly.
Discussion
Thermal pollution is listed in the dictionary as “the discharge of heated liquid (as
waste water from a factory,) into natural waters at a temperature harmful to the
environment.” (Merriam-Webster online 2005) After applying this concept to our lab
component it was very easy for me to recognize the dangers that come along with thermal
pollution. Before this lab I was not familiar with thermal pollution, I did not even know
what it was related to. After doing some research I am appalled by thermal pollution, and
disgusted that humans can be so disrespectful to aquatic life.
The article by Joanna R. Turpin “A Solution for Thermal Pollution” helped me
recognize the struggle that aquatic life has in the battle against thermal pollution.
Thermal pollution, also known as thermal discharge I a problem created by man. Other
than natural occurring volcanoes and hot springs most aquatic life should never confront
thermal pollution. The industries use the natural water to cool their factories and then
release the heated water into the wildlife, posing disastrous conclusions. Having this
unnatural warm water reduces the ability for oxygen to hold in water. Like most living
organism the aquatic animals need oxygen. When the oxygen supply has been depleted
from thermal pollution it becomes difficult for animals to remain stable in their littered
environment. Another major problem with the factories leaking their polluted water into
the fresh water is that it provides a perfect environment for unwanted bacteria’s to grow
abundantly. Also stated in the article was the Clean Water Act, and the United States
efforts to attempt to regulate the problem. In addition some alternative methods for the
factories to use are listed by Turpin in the article. (Turpin, 2004)
After performing this lab and researching about thermal pollution I now know
how certain parts of the environment are disregarded. The only way that thermal
pollution can be fixed is if people as a team work make an effort to make a difference.
References
"Thermal Pollution." Merriam-Webster Online. 2005. 22 July 2005 <http://www.mw.com/>.
One entry found for thermal pollution.
Main Entry: thermal pollution
Function: noun
: the discharge of heated liquid (as wastewater from a
factory) into natural waters at a temperature harmful to the
environment
For More Information on "thermal+pollution" go to
Britannica.com
Turpin, Joanna R. "A Solution for Thermal Pollution." Engineered Systems Sept. 2004:
44-49. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO Host. COD Library. 22 July 2005.
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BY JOANNA R.TURPIN
arm water can be found in a number of different areas in nature — for example, hot springs or water warmed by
volcanic activity. Warm water can become a problem, however, when it is created by man and introduced into nature.
An example of this is when the water used to cool power plants or other industrial applications is discharged into
streams, rivers, and lakes. This is known as thermal pollution or thermal discharge, and it is the introduction
of waste heat into bodies of water that support aquatic life. The addition of heat reduces the water's ability to hold
dissolved gases, including the oxygen required for aquatic life. If the water temperature is greater than 95°F, the
dissolved oxygen content may be too low to support some species. If the differential temperature is too large, the
difference can also stress some species. As a result, thermal pollution can wreak havoc on native fish species, such as
trout, that require cold water with high levels of dissolved oxygen. When the water becomes warmer, other non-native
tlsh that thrive in the warmth can take over habitats from native fish. In addition, warmer water allows bacterial
populations to increase and thrive, ;\nd algae "blooms" may occur. Regulators and lawmakers in the United States long
ago recognized that thermal pollution is a problem and addressed the issue in Section 316(a) of the EPA Clean Water
Act. States and other regulatory agencies use those guidelines to require power plants and industries to limit warm
water discharges back into surface waters, sometimes by way of cooling towers.