Lab # 1: Test for pH, Temp, Dissolved O2 using Lamotte

freshwater aquaculture testing kit

pH
1. A sample of water was collected from the river
2. A strip of universal indicator paper was dipped into the sample
3. The resultant colour change was observed and matched to the respective pH on the
indicator package.
4. This was repeated twice and the average taken
5. The entire procedure was repeated for each river
Temperature
1.
2.
3.
4.

An accessible point to the river was found and a thermometer bulb placed into the water
The temperature of the water was determined and recorded
This was repeated twice and the average taken
The entire procedure was repeated for each river

Dissolved Oxygen
1. Take a sample of water from the river and place in a sampling bottle
2. Add 8 drops of Manganous Sulfate Solution and 8 drops Alkaline Potassium Iodide Azide
3.
4.
5.
6.

and shake well allowing a precipitate to form

Add 8 drops of Sulfuric Acid mix the contents gently
Fill the titration tube to the 20mL line with the fixed sample
Fill the titrator with Sodium thiosulfate, titrating solution
Insert the titrator tip into the opening of the titration tube cap and slowly depress the
plunger until a very pale yellow is obtained. Gently swirl the tube during the titration to

mix the contents

7. Remove the titrator cap and add 8 drops of Starch Indicator Solution. Replace the cap
8. Continue titrating until the solution becomes colorless and read the test result from the
titrator scale
9. Repeat the entire procedure for samples from the other rivers.

Lab # 2: Test for Nitrates

1. Fill test tube (0844) to 2.5 mL line with sample water.

2. Dilute to 5 mL line with *Mixed Acid Reagent (V-6278). Cap and mix. Wait 2 minutes.
3. Use the 0.1g spoon (0699) to add one level measure (avoid excess) of *Nitrate
Reducing Reagent (V-6279). Cap and invert 60 times in one minute. Wait 10 minutes.
4. Mix and remove cap. Insert test tube into the Low Range Comparator (1102) with
the Nitrate-N & Phosphate Comparator Bar (3120-01). Match sample color to a
color standard. Record as ppm Nitrate-N.
5. To convert result to nitrate, multiply reading by 4.4. Record as ppm Nitrate.

Lab # 3: Test for Phosphates

1. Fill test tube (0844) to 10 mL line with sample water.
2. Use the 1.0 mL pipet (0354) to add 1.0 mL of *Phosphate Acid Reagent (V-6282).
Cap and mix.
3. Use second 0.1g spoon (0699) to add one level measure of *Phosphate Reducing
Reagent (V-6283). Cap and mix until dissolved. Wait 5 minutes.
4. Remove cap. Place into the Low Range Comparator (1102) with the Nitrate-N &
Phosphate Low Range Comparator Bar (3120-01). Match sample color to a color
standard. Record as ppm Phosphate.

Lab # 4: Test for Dissolved Nitrite Nitrogen

Lab # 5: Test for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Seven, 300 ml sample bottles were filled with water, each from one of the test
sites. The bottles were wrapped in foil to prevent photosynthesis and stored in the
dark for 5 days at approximately 20 degrees Celsius. After day 5, the samples were
tested for dissolved oxygen by titrating against sodium thiosulfate indicator
solution. The final reading for DO after day 5 was subtracted from the initial
reading for DO at each site to give a value for Biological Oxygen Demand.