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Project Description

Project Description

This project will serve the purpose of the collaboration between  Georgia Highlands College  (GHC) and  Lake Allatoona Association  (LAA) to provide research and analysis needed to successfully build an ongoing lake water quality sampling and reporting system. Quantify  Escherichia coli  (E.coli) and  Fecal Coliform  bacteria to assess the water qualities of Lake Allatoona. Quantify various chemical levels in samples collected from Lake Allatoona. Water samples will be collected from  FOUR  different locations for lab analysis for summer semester 2021. Following EPA approved guidelines for quantification of total Fecal Coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water, our testing will continue for the duration of the eight week summer semester.  The success of this project will be determined by diligent reporting of the data. This data can come through the consistent collection and analysis of water samples from the continuous collaboration with the mentoring faculty members. [Clipart: Teamwork].
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Laboratory Safety Rules

  No eating or drinking is permitted in the laboratory.  No open food or beverage can be taken into the laboratory. Please leave food on the table outside of the lab. Lab benches are to be kept free of extraneous items while conducting experiments. This includes personal items such as backpacks, cellphones, and unnecessary books. All personal items should be put in the designated cabinets. Students must wear closed-toe shoes that cover the top of the foot and appropriate clothing at all times in the laboratory.  Keep hands away from your face, eyes, and mouth when working with chemicals or microorganisms. This includes not applying cosmetics, not adjusting contact lenses, and not biting your fingernails.  Long hair should be pulled up and out of your face while in the laboratory. If any chemicals or other agents splash into your eyes, immediately go to the nearest sink and flush your eyes with water.  Report ANY and ALL accidents, spills, BREAKAGES , or injuries to the instructor, no m
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Collecting Microbiology Samples

  Sample Collection/Field Kit E. coli are naturally present in our guts, therefore, we have to avoid any contamination of the samples.  Put on gloves (make sure the glove bag stays closed as much as possible to avoid contaminants). Wipe gloved hands with alcohol. Collect water from 1" below the surface in large bottle and pour into small bottle  (SHAKE VIGOROUSLY)  Label bottles with a sharpie (Please make sure the labels are readable for the  data pe rson) . Once collected, samples are put on ice until the are ready to be processed at the lab. The ice ensures that any bacteria in the sample doesn't grow in the meantime.   **Samples are processed within SIX hours of collection** Rinse large collecting bottle with deionized water for the next site collection (Prevent cross-contamination). Place all dirty gloves and trash in provided paper bag. Keeping the samples cold with icepacks and processing in a timely manner ensures that bacteria don't have time to grow. All this wor
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Testing Microbiology Samples

We follow these rules specifically. The process is very easy, but make sure you follow the rules and you'll be performing from memory before you know it!!! Hands must be washed before putting on gloves. Surfaces must be wiped down with sodium hypochlorite (bleach water) before and after testing. Label tray with site number, collection time/date, processing time/date, processor's initials. Retrieve sample and Colilert from refrigerator. Aseptically (just means free of pathogenic microorganisms) add one packet of reagent to the sample. Re-cap bottle and shake until reagent is mostly dissolved. (If sample "flashes blue" it contains excessive chlorine and is invalid for analysis) Pour into Quanti-Tray. Place tray in rubber insert for Quanti-Tray sealer machine. The sealer works like a laminator and seals the backing onto the tray. Feed tray into Quanti-Tray sealer. Place tray into incubator and incubate at 35.0 degrees Celsius for 24 hours .  After incubation, the tray is
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Collecting Chemical Analysis Samples

  Collecting samples for chemical analysis is the backbone of our operation. Let's go over how to do it properly! This process is VERY easy and you'll be performing from memory before you know it!! Get ONE LARGE bottle sample from each site you visit. You shouldn't have more than one large bottle from one site for chemical analysis.  Label with site #, collection date, collection time, kit #, and collector's initials.  Collect water from 1" below surface water (you're going to have to dunk your hand). Place lid on bottle and place into cooler. NEXT: WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE LAB WITH THE SAMPLES Place a small piece of green tape on the top of the sample with the date written in Sharpie marker. Rotate most recent date to the rear of the collection of samples. We will test the oldest samples first. Return icepacks to freezer. Replace equipment used in the kit (trash bag, labeled bottles, gloves, etc.). Please make sure to throw all trash away and prep the kit for th
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Processing Chemical Analysis Samples

  Don't let the words "processing chemical analysis" overwhelm you! It is so easy once you do it a couple of times! You'll be working from memory before you know it! We will be collecting from FOUR different sites for SUMMER SEMESTER 2021 . You can find the addresses and some photos of the sites under the "SITES" tab.  We are currently running SIX chemical tests on the samples. For SUMMER 2021 , we will be testing for the following: Sulfate HR (High Range) Ammonia Nitrogen HR Nitrate-Nitrogen LR (Low Range) Chlorine (FREE/TOTAL/COMBINED) pH Phosphates Each test has it's own set of very to follow instructions. You can find these instructions in the binder in the lab. They are also listed here on the website for your convenience. Check under CHEMICAL ANALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS in the drop down menu on our site to find them digitally! EXAMPLE #1 ~ SULFATE Turn on calorimeter ENTER into testing menu (it should already be highlighted) Use arrow keys to toggle (an
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