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Population Density Lab

Decent Essays

PLANNING – DISSOLVED OXYGEN AND POPULATION DENSITY:

Research Question:
What is the relation between the amount of dissolved oxygen in water and the population density in two different water areas?

Hypothesis:
I predict that the higher the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water the higher the density of fish. I hypothesize this because the density population is more abundant in areas with high concentration of dissolved oxygen as organisms use this oxygen for respiration.

Independent Variable:
The independent variable is the amount of dissolved oxygen in water measured in percentage. – In order to obtain a more accurate value of dissolved oxygen I will measure it in two different ways. I will measure it by using an oxygen-selective electrode …show more content…

• Time and days at which the data will be collected – I will collect the data during 1 week once a day at the same time of the day.
• Distance from the surface at which the dissolved oxygen is measured (cm) – I will take the measures at 7cm from the surface.
• Number of Sample taken – 7 samples in total, one per day.
• Oxygen from the air – I will avoid the measurement of air oxygen by measuring the dissolved oxygen at 5cm so that it can’t influence the data. Additionally, when collecting the sample of water, I will avoid the entrance of atmospheric oxygen by closing the test tube inside the water.

Uncontrolled Variables
Temperature: I can’t control the room or water temperature of the area studied. This may influence the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. However, as the measure are done at the same time I expect the temperature to be similar.
• Other abiotic factors: Other abiotic factors such as PH or pressure which may influence the density of population.

Materials:
• Ruler
• Oxygen-selective electrode
• Thermometer
• Burette (for wrinkle

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