Florida International University- Biscayne Bay Campus (FIU-BBC) is located directly on the shores of Biscayne Bay in North Miami, Florida. It is also an estuary where saltwater meets freshwater streams that run through a preserve adjacent to the campus.<br/>The FIU-BBC Science Club and Upward Bound Math and Science Program at FIU-BBC partnered to investigate different parameters at different locations of water throughout the campus and if those parameters were affected by pH, temperature and location. The following parameters were investigated: turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, phosphate, conductivity and salinity. These parameters were chosen because they greatly affect the quality of the water and quality of life for aquatic species that depend on it. It is important that students are aware of what is happening in their environment and their ‘own backyard’. Bodies of water investigated included creeks inside the preserve, manmade ponds throughout campus, beach areas off Biscayne Bay and the docks.<br/>Most of the parameters were measured using Vernier LabQuest 2 interfaces, sensors, and probes. The concentration of chlorophyll was measured using a fluorimeter. Not only did the high school students learn to use different instrumentation for the first time bu they also learned lab techniques such as filtration, preparation of samples, calibrating instruments, pipetting, and using reagents.<br/>Samples were collected weekly and data was collected the following class session for four consecutive weeks during the summer. The data was analyzed and SPSS Statistical Program was used to see if the parameters were affected by location, temperature, and pH of the water.

Investigating important water quality parameters in different bodies of water around Florida International University-Biscayne Bay campus

2019 Spring National Meeting

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