Edvotek Water Quality Testing 1: Chromogenic Analysis of Water Bacterial Contaminants
Water pollution is a major worldwide problem and the quality of drinking water is vitally important to society. Poor treatment of human sewage and eutrophication (the over-enrichment of nutrients) leads to high levels of bacterial growth and pathogenicity.
Students will test a control and simulated contaminated water samples using color and fluorescent reagents that detect bateria. The experiments will serve as the basis for screening of water samples obtained from various water bodies in the environment. As an optional experiment students will plate the known bacteria and do a stain identification.