BMS OE students under supervision of their teachers monitor up to five sights on Burgaw Creek, which runs into the North East Cape Fear River. The purpose of the monitoring is to establish a long-term database which will provide information about water quality changes in space and time in Burgaw Creek. The program encourages students to participate in scientific research and enhances their knowledge or water quality issues in our area, specifically pollution and conservation efforts. Research Methods Water samples are collected on Burgaw Creek using a 5 gallon bucket, lowered into the water and filled halfway. Air temperature, weather conditions, and time of day are recorded at each site.
Salinity is determined using a hydrometer, which measures the specific gravity of the water.
The specific gravity is converted to salinity by measuring water temperature and using tables relating the two parameters. A pH measurement is taken using a Waterproof pH1 PockeTester. Dissolved Oxygen is measured with a LaMotte test kit which uses a modified Winkler titration procedure. Samples are collected and titrated according to the test procedure outlined in the kit. A minimum of two titrations are conducted on each sample.