Published on Sep 05, 2023
The objective: My objective was to see what the affect was of ultra-violet light on bacteria. I hoped that the bacteria would get killed, and wanted to see a decrease in bacteria colonies.
I first collected water samples at Arroyo Burro Creek. I immediately took the first sample with the water untouched by the UV light.
I exposed the water sources to the light for 24 hours, taking samples of bacteria at 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours.
When completed, I took the samples to the microbiology lab of Cottage Hospital. My bacteria samples were incubated for 24 hours. I was then able to count colonies and record my data.
The results I recieved weren't exactly what I wanted.
After the first trials, there was a slight decrease in colonies, and then the numbers went back to even higher than the original sample. I repeated the experiment with a higher intensity lamp, and realized that now the colonies continued to decrease throughout the entire experiment.
After being unsatisfied with my results, I decided to look on the Internet to find any information about the methods the city was proposing to use. I found exactly what I was looking for. I knew that I needed to have a higher intensity lamp, and my light was only 15 watts.
I knew that Energy = Watts / Distance squared, (E=W/D^2), so I decreased the distance between the UV lamp and the water source.
I learned that even the slightest difference in methods could prove devestating.
This project is about the affect of ultra-violet light on bacteria of Arroyo Burro Creek.
