Discuss the impacts of pollution to the Hoosic River.

PurposeIn this lab you will gain experience with bacterial source tracking methods to identify sources of pollution to the Hoosic River. You will learn:How to collect field samples for E. coli analysisHow to analyze field samples for E. coliHow to design a bacterial source tracking programOur data will be shared with local partners who have been involved with bacterial source tracking in the Hoosic River for many years.Additionally, quite a few ENVI students have gone on to pursue public health and water treatment careers in which they have used these techniques.BackgroundThe Hoosic River has its headwaters in northern Berkshire County and runs through downtown North Adams before ultimately joining the Hudson River in Stillwater, NY. As with many other U.S. rivers, elevated levels of bacteria have been documented in much of the Hoosic River in Massachusetts, and this contamination poses a threat to human health. Over the past several years, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and MCLA have been investigating water quality and point sources of bacterial pollution to this river.During the summer of 2012, MCLA ENVI students Felipe Aedo and Richie Doucette collected and analyzed hundreds of samples of stream water from the Hoosic River and its tributaries in Massachusetts to identify remaining “hotspots” of bacterial contamination (defined as locations with > 500 colonies of E. coli per 100 mL water). Hotspots of bacterial contamination exhibit E. coli concentrations that are much higher than the water quality standard for the Hoosic River, which is 235 MPN colonies per 100 mL.Bacterial contamination of surface water is generally measured using “indicator bacteria”, which are usually not harmful themselves, but rather “indicate” the likely presence of other pathogenic microorganisms. E. coli is one of these indicator bacteria; most strains are not harmful to human health, but these bacteria are present in animal guts along with other microorganisms that are harmful to people. Thus, high levels of E. coli suggest that other dangerous bacteria, viruses, and/or protozoa are probably present.In lab this week, we will be collecting water samples from locations flagged by previous studies and partnering organizations as possible hotspots.After collecting our water samples, we will begin the process of analyzing their E. coli concentrations, and then the following day we will return to the lab to complete the analyses and read our results.InstructionsWe will collect water samples, as well as a field blank, in sterile plastic containers (and we will wear gloves and properly handle this possibly polluted water). All samples will be stored on ice until they are brought back to the lab for processing.In the lab, I will show you how to use the Colilert enzyme substrate test to determine E. coli concentration, as well as how to run dilutions. We will also discuss several quality control procedures.Write-UpAll of the data collected at and up-gradient from the storm water outfall pipe adjacent to Domino’s Pizza on River St. is herePreview the document.Please write a formal lab report for this activity following the formal lab write-up instructions.Our research question is, “where might contamination be entering the storm system in North Adams?” You should describe the location of this study and the methods we employed.You should use maps, graphs and/or tables to clearly and succinctly present the appropriate data in your results section, and discuss your findings and implications of your results in your discussion.You should consider whether any of our sampling locations qualify as hotspots, whether we were able to locate any sources of pollution, and what our data suggest about where to collect future samplings to locate remaining sources of pollution.Lab Report FormatComplete a report carefully constructed to express your major observations and findings. The length of the report will vary depending on the lab. While your report should be concise, it should also be detailed enough for others to understand exactly what you did, what you found, and why it’s important.Think of the report as a scientific essay. It will have a title and sections containing:TitleAbstractIntroductionMethodResultsDiscussionConclusionA brief description of what should be included in each of these sections is included below.Title. The title should summarize, as specifically as possible, the subject of the lab.Abstract. The purpose of an abstract is to allow the reader to judge whether it would serve his or her purposes to read the entire report. A good abstract is a concise (100 to 200 words) summary of the purpose of the report, the methods, results, and the author’s major conclusions.Introduction. Your introductory paragraphs must include:Purpose: A single, concise statement of the major o