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Phase 3 : Water Quality

This is an optional addition to the monitoring project. Water quality analysis brings another dimension to the project. There are a number of parameters that can be tested to analyze water quality, but the depth of the analysis will depend on the amount of time that you have at each site and the skill level of your students. There are quite a few water quality test kits available through catalogs. There are many catalogs that offer water quality testing kits but here is a list of some of the test kits available from Forestry Suppliers, Inc. that we have used:

Each test kit comes with detailed instructions that include background information on each parameter and procedures for collecting water samples. After familiarizing yourself with the different tests and their procedures, you can decide which tests are suitable for your students. Like the survey techniques, your students need background information on the parameters prior to learning how to conduct the tests. You can integrate this information into the coral reef lessons.

Most test sites are fairly large in area and will most likely require more that one water sample to get an accurate picture of overall water quality. When you arrive at the test site, identify the areas from which the water samples will be collected. Try to obtain water samples from a shallow, medium and deep water depth spanning the length of the site.

Water quality data sheet