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Effects of heavy metals on plankton, water quality and fish in Pak-pra canal, Phatthalung province, Thailand

Country:Thailand
Student(s):Miss. Jirapinya Puttasawat, Miss. Jirasutha Watchirasirikul and Miss. Panalee Chuaykeaw
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):PANINEE VORANETIVUDTI
Contributors:Dr. Nantida sutammawong, Mrs.Anantanit chumsri, Dr. Peerada pakdeepin, Dr. Thanya panritdum, and Dr. Fahmida Wazed Tina
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Water Temperature, Nitrates, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, pH
Presentation Video: View Video
Language(s):
Date Submitted:04/10/2019
Pak-pra canal
The objective of this study is to investigate the heavy metals in the water in Upstream and canal mouth at the Pak-pra canal and find the relationship between heavy metal, water quality, plankton and the number and types of fish. Collected data by divided study area into 2 areas (Upstream and canal mouth) Fixed 6 points at each area. Study duration was May to September 2018. Collected data once a month. Our result show that, we found 8 heavy metals, namely Fe, Zn, Ba, Mn, Pb, As, and Cd, Cr. The concentration of metal Fe, Pb, Mn and Ba exceeded the standard volume from Pollution Control Department of Thailand but Cd, Cr, Zn and As not exceeded the standard value. Some water quality parameters are negatively associated with Ba, Zn, Pb, Cr and As and has a positive relationship with Ba and Cr. The number of certain Phytoplankton is positively correlated with Ba, Mn, Zn, Cr and is negatively associated with Cd. Frontonia protozoa is positively correlated with Zn, Ba and Mn. Barbonymus gonionotus and Rasbora sumatrana have a positive relationship with Pb. Strongylura stronggylura are negatively associated with Mn. Clupaichthgs aesarnensis has a negative relationship with Zn. The total number of fish found in the Pak-pra canal had a positively correlated with Fe. This study is an important information in raising awareness both management of environmental problems and public health care of the people.



Comments

Congratulations. Very good work!
You have done an important research work applying the tools of statistics to find the relationship between heavy metal, water quality, plankton and the number and types of fish in the Pak-pra canal.
It would be interesting to incorporate in the report detail the Globe protocols used and the source with which you made the graphics.
Congratulations again!
I am impressed with the quality and complexity of your research, it is a great scientific report that gives the community the chance to rethink its impacts over an important ecosystem as the Pak-pra canal. Your management of the statistical data is impressive and detailed, therefore you present a strong study with valid conclusions.
Even though some questions come to mind when I read this study:
1. Did you study the role of found species of plankton and fishes as bioindicators of the water quality in a river?
2. I would love to see the biological data that you obtained, such as population rates for fishes and plankton.
Keep researching on that topics, tons of interesting studies can be done around your results, such as an investigation of the heavy metal contents in the agricultural substances used around the canal, or a deeper study in the effects of those metal into the fishes and plankton life cycles. I will be more than happy to help or provide any insights about them.