HI 3899BP

Marine Science Education Test Kits

Description

HANNA Instruments is now offering a new series of test kits for use by educators and marine science students. These portable kits are specifically designed for teachers to get the most out of their classroom time with well constructed lessons and activities.

The backpack is designed with all the necessary components in one place, reducing the chance of misplacing an item. The durable backpack is ideal to take out in the field for on site measurements. The components are tied together by an extensive teachers manual that includes information about each parameter, classroom activities which are designed to introduce students to each parameter, and detailed field testing procedures. Using the supplied course of study in correlation with HANNA’s parameter test kits and pocket testers, the Marine Science Backpack Lab™ for Education proves teachers with a valuable tool in helping their students assess the water quality of marine environment.

The HANNA Instruments Backpack Lab™ is an example of our innovation and desire to respond to the needs of our customers. HANNA looks forward to supporting teachers with our continuing Backpack Lab™ series.

Parameters

• Acidity
• Alkalinity
• Carbon Dioxide
• Density
• Dissolved Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Nitrogen-Ammonia
• Nitrogen-Nitrate
• Nitrogen-Nitrite
• pH
• Phosphate
• Salinity
• Conductivity/Total Dissolved Sols
• Temperature
• Turbidity

Order Information:

The HI 3899BP Marine Science Education Test Kit is supplied with the following:

• 110 tests each for Acidity and Alkalinity, 100 tests for Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Dissolved Oxygen, Hardness, Nitrate, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Salinity, Conductivity, Temperature and more.
• Hanna’s pHep®4 waterproof pH/temperature tester
• Hanna’s DiST®5 waterproof conductivity/Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) tester
• Hydrometer for Salinity
• Secchi disk for turbidity
• Backpack-style carrying case which holds all components of the kit
• Teachers manual with a curriculum that meets National Science Teachers Standards
• CD with defination of terms to be used as a Power Point or for transperencies
• Laminated, laboratory instruction cards with step-by-step field-test procedures
• Reproducible lab activity worksheets with instructions, goals, hypothesis, and testing procedure results/observations
• A glossary of key terms for classroom display

Parameters

The following parameters can be measured using the HANNA instruments Backpack Lab™ Marine Science Education Test Kit

Acidity

What is this parameter?

• Quantitative capacity of water to be neutralized by a base to a set pH
• pH determined by relative amount of free hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in water
• Acidity vs. acidic solutions

Why is it important?

• Evaluate suitability of water for aquatic plants and animals
• Identify buffering ability of water against pH increases and decreases caused naturally and by man
• Regular monitoring can determine if acidity and/or pH is changing, and causes can be investigated in order to preserve the ecosystem
• Decay of natural substances and ac rain contribute to acidity
• Heavy metals more soluble in acidic water water causing animals such as mollusks not to be able to make shells
• Increased amount of carbon dioxide decreases the pH having multiple effects on marine life
• Low pH has multiple effects on marine life

How is it measured?

• Chemical test kit measures as methyl orange and phenolphthalein activity
• Titration method to determine buffering ability
• pHEP meter

Real-world example

• Acid rain
• Food processing industry
• Frequent sampling by scientists to monitor environmental changes or changes in marine species

Alkalinity

What is this parameter?

• Quantitative capacity of a water sample to neutralize an ac to a set pH
• Measure of how well a water source can buffer itself against pH changes caused by ac
• Main source in the ocean is calcium carbonate and carbonate rocks such as limestone

Why is it important?

• Protects marine life from large pH swings
• Regularly measured in treatment of drinking water and wastewater
• High alkalinity protects against harmful effects of ac rain and increases in carbon within the oceans

How is it measured?

• Expressed in mg/L (ppm) of calcium carbonate
• Chemical test kit measures as phenolphthalein activity and total alkalinity

Real-world example

• Soaps and detergents use alkaline reagents to enhance their cleaning capabilities

Carbon Dioxide

What is this parameter?

• Naturally occurring gas produced through plant and animal respiration
• Dissolves in water to form carbonic ac
• Used in Photosynthesis

Why is it important?

• Carbonic ac formed from CO2 can lower water pH making it more acidic
• High levels of carbon dioxide can make water corrosive or toxic to marine life
• Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is stored in the ocean
• Large amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas warming the oceans which hold less oxygen
• Increased carbon dioxide levels in the ocean make it difficult for marine animals to produce skeletons or shells, decreasing the alkalinity of the ocean

How is it measured?

• Chemical test kit measures using phenolphthalein indicator
• Carbonic ac neutralized to a pH of 8.3

Real-world example

• Carbon dioxide used in foods, beverages, fire extinguishers, and found in fossil fuels
• Contributor to greenhouse effect
• Carbon dioxide has increased within the atmosphere and oceans since the Industrial Revolution
• Coral reefs, “rainforests of the ocean” that sustain a vast amount of life, dependent on a constant pH which could be decreased with increased CO2 levels
• Politically, many emission control laws are going into effect

Density

What is this parameter?

• Measurement of mass per unit volume in g/cm3
• Specific gravity is used to determine the mass per unit volume in a given water sample
• Ability of an object to sink or float

Why is it important?

• Dense water sinks, creating currents
• Warm water less dense than cold
• Salt water more dense than fresh
• Mixing of different densities near the surface causes currents, especially in an estuary environments
• Proves nutrients through up welling

How is it measured?

• Use of a hydrometer
• g/cm3
• Pure water has a specific gravity of 1 g/cm3
• Average ocean water is 1.027 g/cm3

Real-world example

• Fish must adapt to specific gravity
• Fish have evolved to deal with specific gravity
• Changes in specific gravity could be lethal to the fish

Dissolved Oxygen

What is this parameter?

• Measure of the amount of oxygen available in the ocean
• Photosynthesis contributes to available supply
• Air-sea interactions diffuse oxygen into the ocean
• Amount affected by temperature and quantity of plant and algae available to produce oxygen

Why is it important?

• Oxygen is essential for marine life
• Decrease in oxygen supply could mean high pollution rate or harmful algal blooms such as Red Tide
• Levels may fluctuate during the day due to the photosynthesis process
• Eutrophication leads to increased oxygen consumption
• Large algal blooms leads to increased oxygen consumption by bacteria decomposing dead algae
• Storms and turbulent waves create more surface area allowing for increased mixing of oxygen from the atmosphere

How is it measured?

• Chemical test kit
• Expressed as mg/L (ppm)
• Uses titration method

Real-world example

• Oxygen must flow over the gills and be absorbed by the gill filaments in a fish or shark in order for oxygen to enter the blood stream
• Rap breathing fish in an aquarium may mean low DO levels
• Changes in DO levels could mean climate changes
• DO levels monitored frequently in order to determine if pollutants are present or an algal bloom is occurring

Nitrogen

What is this parameter?

• 78% of the atmosphere
• Pertinent for plant life
• Found in ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates
• Used in fertilizers

Why is it important?

• Sustains plant life
• Too much can cause eutrophication
• Algal blooms and overgrowth of plants may occur causing the death of other marine life

How is it measured?

• Colorimetric measurement

Real-world example

• Occurs through nitrogen fixation
• Bacteria are key players in the nitrogen cycle and nitrogen fixation

Nitrogen-Ammonia

What is this parameter?

• Byproduct of excretion which is broken down by bacteria to form NH3
• Beginning process of the nitrogen cycle which will eventually be broken down into nitrates to be absorbed by marine plants and algae as nutrients, which in turn proves nutrients for animals

Why is it important?

• Increased amounts of NH3 when converted to nitrates will result in an overgrowth of plants and algae. When they die and decay, a decrease in oxygen will occur, killing the fish and other animals. This is especially true in areas that have little to no water circulation such as a small pond
• High amounts of ammonia is lethal to all life; however, a small amount is necessary to sustain life
• Decreased amounts can result in not enough plants and algae being produced in an ecosystem

How is it measured?

• Expressed as mg/L (ppm)
• Colorimetric test

Real-world example

• In an aquarium, too much will produce large amounts of nitrates resulting in an overgrowth of brown or green algae blooms
• Can cause high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide or oxygen if too much or too little
• Can become toxic in high doses over 3 ppm
• Increased amounts of pesticides can increase ammonia levels around storm drains and in bays where poor circulation may occur

Nitrogen-Nitrate

What is this parameter?

• Nitrate is an ion with one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms
• Used extensively as fertilizers
• Produced naturally through the nitrogen cycle
• Plants and algae use nitrogen to build proteins
• Excessive amounts can be deadly to marine life and humans

Why is it important?

• Too many nitrates lead to eutrophication
• Overgrowth of marine algae or plants reduces available oxygen supply
• Algal blooms block sunlight, slowing photosynthesis and affecting turbidity
• Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of organic matter
• High concentrations through sewage spills or intense storms could force beaches to be closed
• Large amounts in an aquarium will cause an increased growth of algae and are a sign to change the water
• Plays a role in algal blooms that can affect fish, humans, and tourism

How is it measured?

• Colorimetric test kit
• Expressed as mg/L (ppm)
• Nitrates are reduced to nitrite in the presence of cadmium

Real-world example

• Nitrates monitored closely throughout the ocean, specifically in low circulation areas
• Nitrates can cause bacteria in the intestinal track to convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin, causing fish to not receive oxygen
• Fertilizers for home lawn maintenance can seep into the storm drains to the ocean via runoff, causing an increased amount of nitrates in a specific area

Nitrogen-Nitrite

What is this parameter?

• Nitrite is an ion with one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms
• Used extensively as fertilizers
• Produced naturally through the nitrogen cycle
• Plants and algae use nitrogen to build proteins
• Excessive amounts can be deadly to marine life and humans

Why is it important?

• Toxic to animals in high concentrations due to its higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen
• Large amounts in an aquarium will lead to fish gasping for air, resulting in the need for water to be changed
• Anaerobic bacteria will convert nitrates into nitrites in a process called denitrification
• Nitrites will be converted to nitrates, leading to eutrophication
• Increased nitrogen levels can cause increased plant and algae growth

How is it measured?

• Colorimetric test kit
• Expressed as mg/L (ppm)
• Nitrites react with a chromotropic ac reagent to form a pink tint in the sample

Real-world example

• Nitrites are monitored in groundwater due to its toxicity in animals
• Infants are especially sensitive to nitrites and a condition known as blue baby syndrome is possible if nitrites are present in drinking water
• In aquaculture, high nitrite levels in a fish pond are possible since the fish tend to be fed in excess. A condition known as brown blood disease can result from the high concentration of nitrites

pH

What is this parameter?

• Measure of the acidic or basic level of a solution
• Scale of 0-14 where 0 is acidic, 14 is basic, and 7 is neutral
• Ocean pH 8 to 8.5

Why is it important?

• pH affects life and the stability of the ocean
• pH reliant on calcium carbonate
• Calcium carbonate acts as a buffer

How is it measured?

• Colorimetric test
• Hand-held pHep tester

Real-world example

• Current research suggesting pH may be decreasing due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide
• Data is being compared with historical readings from the past 50 years
• Scientists testing other parameters to determine if there are other possible causes affecting pH levels

Phosphate

What is this parameter?

• Formed from the element Phosphorus
• Found in DNA and ATP
• Important for life and plant nutrition
• Used in fertilizers
• Naturally occurring in rock minerals

Why is it important?

• Stimulates growth in organisms
• Too much can cause eutrophication
• Can reduce the calcification process in marine organisms
• Too much can cause algal blooms with negative effects on the ecosystem

How is it measured?

• Three classifications: Ortho, Condensed, or Organically bound
• Orthophosphate calibrated by the colorimetric method

Real-world example

• Phosphates in detergents

Salinity

What is this parameter?

• Total number of dissolved salts in ocean water
• Includes Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride
• Typically stable within the oceans only varying slightly
• On average, salt water is 35 ppt, but can range up to 40 ppt as in the Red Sea

Why is it important?

• Changes in salinity can influence changes in habitats
• Plants and animals depend on stable salinity levels
• Amount of dissolved salts determines the type of life present in an ecosystem
• Dissolved salts can increase acidity of water
• Can also be considered a Total Dissolved Solvent (TDS)

How is it measured?

• Handheld conductivity/TDS tester
• Salinity test kit
• Expressed as parts per thousand (ppt)

Real-world example

• Changes in salinity affect the density of the water
• Changes in salinity can affect wildlife and habitats
• Changes in estuaries and brackish water expected to be drastic depending on the surrounding climate and environment
• In drought conditions, can cause an increase of salinity
• Wildlife have special features to adapt to various salinity levels. For example, mangroves have waxy cuticles to eliminate water loss through osmosis. Marine fish have to drink water constantly in order to stay hydrated

Conductivity/Total Dissolved Sols

What is this parameter?

• Capacity of a substance to carry electricity
• In water, conductivity is directly proportional to the concentration of dissolved sols (salts)
• Positive and Negative ions from sodium chloride create electrical charges

Why is it important?

• Increased TDS, expressed as EC (electrical conductivity), may indicate presence of pollutants
• Can be impacted by limestone carbonates, man-made point or nonpoint sources