In the Elevation vs pH graph we have noticed that as the elevation gets higher the pH seems to get closer to being more acidic. Our evevation gets higher as our pH gets more acidic.
In this next graph below we have noticed that as the elevation gets lower the conductivity gets higher. The 3rd point to the left does not seem to follow our hypothesis so we suspect that this was an incorrect reading, because all of the other points do follow.
We then tested our hypothesis and concluded some ideas.
Hypothesis: We think that by running water through rock and soil will raise the pH of the water.
Why do we think this? We think this because rock and soil can act as a filter of water through nature. It can take out bacteria in the water that is making it acidic. It can also take out so of the acid.
Procedure: What we did was first we tested the pH for the water from the near by stream in Black Rock Forest. Then we came out with an answer of 6 on the color pH and 5.784 on the probe pH. Then we collected natural rock and soil from the area. We filled up a plastic bag with the rock and soil. Then we cut a small whole in the bottom of the bag for the water to drain out. We hung up the filled bag and placed a bowl under it. Then we poured the water from the top empty half of the bag and waited for it to filter through and then drain out. After that we waited for all of the water to drain out so we could test the stream water to see if it had changed. The water went through the rock and soil probably filtering its self. We waited until no more water was coming out. After it was done draining and filtering we tested the pH of the water.
Results/Conclusion:Our results were that the water's pH was 6.176. This means that our hypothesis was correct. We think that while the water was passing through all of the material it was getting filtered and some of the acid was getting taken out causing it to rise. This is related to what we have been studying in Black Rock Forest because the water in their reservoirs and streams go through rock and soil so it does get filtered. If it started of acidic it would probably rise and then become around nuetral so we are really doing a mini diagram of what the water goes through and what heppens to it in it's process down stream and down elevations.