Student Research Reports
Effects of Alkalinity on Water Conductivity
Organization(s):Ottawa Hills Jr/Sr High School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Mercy Alamina and Rory Norris
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
Educator(s):Gloria Kreischer Gajewicz
Contributors:Dr. Sara Mierzwiek
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Alkalinity, Conductivity, pH, Water Temperature
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/04/2025

Many plants and animals rely on healthy water from rivers, lakes and oceans. However, these bodies of water tend to be polluted and dangerous for drinking and living in. Studies have shown that the presence of pollutants such as metal can be caused by high levels of alkalinity in water. This study aims to use the aforementioned knowledge of alkalinity to find out if it can predict the amount of pollution in a water source. By measuring if electrical conductivity is positively correlated with alkalinity, it can be discovered if a body of water’s pollution level is rising if the alkalinity in the water rises. A correlation would mean that there is a way to find out if the water pollution of a body is increasing. In this specific study, no correlation was found between alkalinity and the increase of conductivity, but if further research were conducted, a correlation could be found, especially if more rivers were tested on more testing days.