Day 2

Today, we conducted water quality tests at two different sites. The testing equipment was provided through the West Virginia Coal Project and first rate. We were able to test pH levels, dissolved oxygen levels, transparency, temperature, and conductivity all within a matter of minutes. This same technology can be used in my classroom to give my students a first rate hands-on activity. One thing this trip has taught me is to embrace the technology at my disposal; there is so much more that can be gained with it than without it.

The water we tested all had a pH at 4; pH refers to the level of hydronium ions in a solution. More commonly, we think of it as the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a solution. Drinking water is typically safe in the range of 6.5 - 8.5. And, we never reached this safe level at the mine drainage sites.

For us, we need to maintain a pH between 6.8-7.8 to survive. Our bodies will release minerals when the number begins to drop in order to balance out our pH; drink a bunch of coke (very acidic), and our body begins releasing magnesium and calcium to offset the acid levels. Unfortunately, our body often releases too much which can not be passed through our urine and those dreaded kidney stones may form.

The streams we visited today had no fish. Fish begin having their reproductive processes broken down at a pH range of 4 and and cannot survive as you go lower. This is unfortunate because the areas we visited appeared to have all makings of a nice home for aquatic life, except for water quality.

Folks, I have a personal admission ro make. I never really grasped just how pretty this state is. I have seen some of the prettiest country I have ever seen in just the last 35 hours. Waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, and streams are almost breathtaking, and to think I never truly knew of this beauty until now.

Pat did not reqire CPR today. That was good, because he was a big help in the labs. I did not see much of Steve; it could be that his hairy legs, and I mean big-foot hair, served as some form of camouflage to the average eye - Yuck!

Goodnight,

William

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