WM Session 11: What does it all mean?

1) How reliable are the lab results?

1) Work with other students in the class who have done the lab analysis (L1 or L2 etc.) you have.

a) Compare your results for the four benchmark samples.

b) Apply statistical measures to your data-what is the mean concentration for your analyte? What is the standard deviation, s? The relative standard deviation? Confidence interval at the 90% confidence level?

c) Assess what errors may be responsible for variation in your results.

d) How do your results compare with an authoritative source (like the municipal water supply's report to the public, the EPA, or the ingredients label)?

e) Do you think your results are reliable?

2) Which ion concentrations are most revealing about the geological history of a water sample?

3) Which ion concentrations of a water sample are indicative of human activity in the area or of specific chemical treatment?

Summary: What's in your water besides water?

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