ENV 220 Milestone Two
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
220
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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Uploaded by DukeHummingbirdMaster1028
ENV 220 Milestone Two
When conducting my field test safety material and PPE will be required. The area that I will
collect samples from will require boots to be worn, long sleeves for arms and legs, goggles, and
gloves. The area is very muddy and there are a lot of weeds and shrubs. Some areas the trees
have been cut down and other areas they have not. There are also a lot of insects so spraying
myself down to keep from being bitten will be a great idea.
To keep safe, I will not be able to go to this area anytime there is no light. I also must keep a
phone just in case due to the incline to get down to the area. It would also be smart to have
someone tag along as well, just for reason of accidentals, tripping and falling into the actual
Creek from being in the area. If not, make sure that someone knows where I am or has my exact
location. Keep an eye out for wildlife as the area is bordered by the woods and a creek.
We will conduct our fieldwork on a Sunday afternoon. Picking Sunday because the kids don’t
have anything scheduled and I send them to sitter to get things done in peace. Also, on Sundays
there is the least amount of traffic in the area that we will be conducting fieldwork. There are no
recreational activities going on this day, since there is a park connected to the area. Also, most of
the wildlife do not come out in the daytime, they come out at night so this will allow us to be
safe.
The first test that I will perform for my site is a soil sample test. We are breaking ground on this
property, so we need to know exactly what is going on with the soil. We will test the pH level of
the soil and we will test for the different types of soil. For this test we will need the following
items:
Clay, Soil Test Kit, test tubes, sand, Twist ties, Cheesecloth, rubber bands, Graduated cylinder,
100 mL, white paper • Liquid hand soap, Soil samples, Scissors, Distilled water, Timer, or
stopwatch, and Tap water.
Steps for testing the soil:
1. Label test tubes “Sand,” “Clay,” and “Collected Soil”
2. Fill tubes halfway with different soil sample and add tap water
3. Shake each tube for 30 seconds. Add a drop of liquid hand soap to each sample to help settle
the particles. Allow the samples to settle overnight in the test tube rack. Cover prevent
contamination of the samples.
After sitting overnight these steps should be followed:
1. Place the sheet of white paper behind the tubes containing the settled soil samples.
2. Using the “Sand” and “Clay” sample tubes, identify the layer types in the “Collected Soil”
sample.
3. Use the ruler to measure the depth of the “Collected Soil” sample tubes.
4. Measure the total depth of the soil with the ruler
5. Calculate the particle size “Collected Soil” sample by dividing the depth of each layer by the
total depth of the soil, then multiplying that value by 100. Record the percentages of the primary
particles clay, silt, and sand in the “Collected Soil.”
6. Use the soil analysis chart to determine the soil texture of the collected sample, and record this
Testing pH of Soil
1. Open the Soil Test kit.
2. Remove the cap from the pH test container.
3. Fill the side labeled soil to the line with the “Collected Soil” sample
4. Wearing your PPE, remove one of the capsules from its packaging. Hold the capsule over the
soil filled side, and carefully separate the two halves, pouring the powder into the test chamber.
5. Use the pipette to add distilled water to the water fill line of the test chamber.
6. close the container tightly and shake it for 20 seconds
7. Let the soil sit for one minute.
8. Compare the color of your sample to the pH color chart on the container to determine the pH
of the soil sample.
9. throw mixture away.
10. Rinse the test chamber on the kit and repeat all steps with the other soil samples picked.
The second test that we will perform will be the Turbidity Test. This test will allow us to test the
water clarity of the creek that runs alongside this land. Testing the turbidity will allow us to know
the different pollutants that are being carried down this waterway and what is affecting the
aquatic life in it as well.
1. While wearing PPE gear, fill a cylinder with sample water from your collection bottle.
2. Remove the base from the cylinder and put it over the black and white pattern of the sample
chart comparison.
3. Look down through the water sample to see if there will be a pattern.
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The third test that will be completed will be evaluating the Nitrogen and Phosphorous levels. We
will complete these tests because this allows us to know the growth of the roots and grass. This
gives us information about the runoff water. We will need the following items to complete this
test: Aluminum foil, Stopwatch or timer, phosphate tab, nitrate tab, conical tubes, and the
samples.
1.
Get the conical tubes and place a sample in each
2.
Get a nitrate tab and place in one and a phosphate tab in the other.
3.
Shake both up until the tab is dissolved. Place the Nitrogen tube in foil.
4.
After 5 minutes check the colors and compare them to the chart.
Limitations that would cause barriers for our field work would be construction that is happening
in the area. They are currently working on a project to cut down all the trees in the area in hopes
of cleaning up the creek and addressing the issues of flooding that it causes. Also, the bad
weather we have been getting lately in Michigan. We have not had many steady days at all. The
rain, thunder, and lighting would cause delays as well.