Lesson 3: How Do Nitrogen Levels Change During the Year?

One of the main ingredients in most fertilizers is nitrogen in the form of nitrates and nitrites. Rain falling on the ground carries some of the nitrogen compounds into local bodies of water. Do you think that higher levels of nitrogen are present in bodies of water during different times of the year?

Doing the science

1. Start the Water Quality Simulation by clicking on the "Sim" tab.
2. Click on the "Zoom" icon.
3. Click on the "Oliphant" location.
4. Next, click on the "Nitrogen" icon.
5. Move the cursor to a position on Bailey’s Brook in Oliphant and click on the water.
6. Note and record in Table 1 below the month and Nitrogen concentration displayed in the popup box.
7. Click the forward arrow next to the month "September" at the top, middle of the screen.
8. Click on the "x" (close icon) at the top right-hand corner of the "Nitrogen" pop-up box in the middle of the screen.
9. Repeat steps 5 – 8 until you have collected nitrogen data until the month of June.