Two sites along waterways in Bloomington, Indiana were tested on two occasions to analyze water quality. Physical, chemical, and biological indicators were used to test the Jordan River on campus and Cascades River northwest of campus. The data showed that water quality at both sites was healthy and safe, with proper chemical levels and biological presence. Some compounds were detected using mass spectrometry but below levels of concern. The study concluded that the natural water quality in the area is safe for all living organisms.

1. Water Quality Analysis of Bloomington Waterways
Alan Hill, Alex Roth, Abigayle Zielinski
Indiana University – Bloomington, Department of Chemistry
CONCLUSIONS
METHODS
ABSTRACT
RESULTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the IU Chemistry Department, Dillman
Wastewater Treatment Plant, guest speakers, Kriste Lindberg,
Professor Burlingham, and the Hoosier Riverwatch Program for
everything they have provided us with.
REFERENCES
"Indiana Department of Environmental Management."
IDEM: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
Materials
• Turbidity Tube
• Phosphate Kit
• Nitrate/Nitrite Test Strips
• Dissolved Oxygen Kit
• pH Test Strips
• Macroinvertebrate Collection Net
• Thermometer
Two sites in Bloomington, IN were tested for their water
quality. The Jordan River, located on Indiana University’s
campus, and Cascades River, located northwest of campus,
were tested using physical, chemical, and biological
indicators. After sampling both sites on two separate
occasions, it was determined that the data confirms the water
quality to be healthy and safe at both test sites.
Execution of Data Collection:
Macroinvertebrates were collected using the net. The net was placed
next to rocks after they were turned over, and then collected the
increase probability of collecting taxa.
The nitrate/nitrite test strips were placed in the water for three
seconds, and then were compared to the color indicators located on
the bottle.
The pH test strips were placed in the water for one second and were
compared to the color classifications located on the side of the bottle
after one minute.
Water was captured in the container provided with the dissolved
oxygen test. The dissolved oxygen tube was placed in the container.
The tip was broken off to allow the water to enter the tube, and then
was shifted back and forth for one minute. The color was compared
to the dissolved oxygen tube colors provided with the dissolved
oxygen kit.
Water was collected in a container provided with the phosphate test.
Two drops of the phosphate testing solution were added to the
container, and was shaken for one minute. The phosphate tube was
placed in the container consisting of the solution. The tip of the tube
was broken to allow the water to enter. The tube was shifted back
and forth for one minute, and then was compared to the phosphate
colored tubes provided within the kit.
The turbidity tube was filled with water from a previously undisturbed
location on the waterway. This allowed for the turbidity
measurements to be more accurate than a site on the river where
the macroinvertebrate testing occurred.
Jordan River Cascades Creek
Tests Conducted 10/6/15 11/4/15 10/6/15 11/4/15
Macroinvertebrates
Riffle beetle larva;
Waterpenny;
Sowbug
Caddisfly larva;
Riffle beetle larva;
Waterpenny
Caddisfly larva;
Riffle beetle
larva;
Waterpenny
Mayfly larva;
Riffle beetle
larva;
Dragonfly
larva
Pollution Tolerance Index (PTI) 11 12 12 11
Habitat (CQHEI) 60 60 73 NED
Temperature (°C) 20.5 ND 17.73 ND
Temperature Change (°C) 0.5 ND 0.03 ND
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7 7 ND ND
pH 8 8 8 9
Ortho Phosphate (mg/L) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Nitrates (mg/L) 0.5 2 2 10
Turbidity (cm) 66 66 66 66
Water Quality Index (WQI) 85.6 NED NED NED
Through the data collected, it was determined that the natural water quality in
the Bloomington area is safe and healthy for all living organisms. The water
quality index was higher than the minimum safety requirements. The
variations between the two sites and different times were not significant
enough to be of any concern, as weather and seasonal alterations are
accounted for. The proper chemical levels and biological indicators were
present, resulting in a safe and environmentally friendly area.
Habitat: Physical tests including substrate, fish cover, stream shape, human alterations,
erosion, riparian area, depth, velocity, and riffles/runs were recorded. Macroinvertebrates
were used as indicators for stream health, dependent on classification, diversity, and
abundance.
Water Quality: Chemical tests including amounts of dissolved oxygen, phosphates,
nitrates, nitrites, temperature, and pH were used to monitor the chemical quality. A mass
spectrometer was used to determine the presence and abundance of various organic
compounds.
Retention
Time (min) Suspected Compound Abundance* Quality
Jordan
River
11/4/15
2.763 Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl- 2608299 90
4.199 Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl- 2427967 91
10.992
Diethyl 2-hydroxy-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-
yl)succinate 4234693 53
Cascades
River
11/4/15
2.782 Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl- 2513619 90
4.208 Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl- 2457981 91
9.582 Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- 1809851 95
10.99
Butanoic acid, 2-butoxy-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl
ester 2367842 53
GC/MS
Water Quality Testing
*ND = no data; NED = not enough data
*Significance threshold at 1,000,000 abundance