Dissolved Oxygen in
Kuapa Pond
Presented By
Ashley Short, Crystal Aloisio,
Yayun Hsueh
Hahaione School
Grade 6
Research Question
How does non point source pollution and
animals and plants living in the marina
affect the percent saturation of
dissolved oxygen?
Background Research








3o years ago Kaiser Development dredged Kuapa Pond.
Hawaii Kai was first owned by Bernice P Bishop after the monarchy
government.
Hawaii Kai or Kuapa Pond used to be a fishpond.
Hawaii Kai including Kuapa Pond, covers 523 miles ranging from
the area inward from Maunalua and just west of the pond, the foothill
of Koko Head Crater to Kaluanui Ridge.
Dissolved Oxygen is necessary for a body of water to sustain life.
Normally a higher dissolved oxygen level indicates better water
quality.
If the levels are to low some marine plants and animals may not be
able to survive.
In an area where organic matter is decaying, there may be a lower
amount of dissolved oxygen because bacteria require oxygen to
decompose organic matter, therefore resulting in lower levels of
oxygen.







Water near a sewer discharge plant may also have low dissolved
oxygen levels.
Non point source pollution is pollution that comes from many indirect
sources.
Non point source pollution is caused by rainfall moving over the
ground and as the runoff moves, it picks up natural and man- made
pollutants.
“The solution to Pollution is Dilution.” That was an old saying that
people thought was true.
Now with research we have found that it is not true.
They thought the sea was infinite so the concentration of pollution
would not increase.
Really the ocean is finite so every time pollution enters the water, the
concentration of pollution increased.
Hypothesis
If water flows from the mountain to the sea
and there is non point source pollution in that
water, then the amount of dissolved oxygen
will decrease in the lower part of Kuapa
Pond, because the non point source pollution
will kill the marine plants and animals
resulting in decomposition of organic matter.
Materials











Pair of plastic gloves.
Eye goggles.
Dump bucket with cover.
Thermometer.
10 ml plastic vial with cap.
Lamot pills test kit. (dissolved oxygen.)
Ampoule test kit. (dissolved oxygen.)
Distilled water in squirt bottle.
Plastic Cups.
Clip board and pencil.
Data Chart.
Procedure

Pills
– Collect a water sample.
– Completely fill vile with sample water.
– Drop two dissolved oxygen test pills into the
water.
– Cap and invert continuously for 5 minutes.
– Collect and compare data to indicator chart.
– Record data on data chart.
– Repeat steps 1-6 at least 6 more times.
Ampoules
•Collect a water sample.
•Fill vial to line with sample water.
•Place one ampoule in vial.
•Crack the tip of the ampoule and let the indicator liquid
change color.
•Remove the ampoule and slowly invert for two minutes.
•Collect and compare data to indicator chart.
•Record data on data chart.
•Repeat steps 1-7 at least 6 more times.
Data and Observations

Observations
– There were plants and animals living in the
marina.
– Lots of boats.
– The water is was very merky
– There was lots of leaves in the water.
– There was oil in the water
Data
Analysis
We observed that there was non point source
pollution in the water. The non point source pollution
could be killing the marine plants and animals causing
a lower amount of dissolved oxygen. Looking at the
data the marina by Pizza Hut had the most dissolved
oxygen. This shows that there is most likely less non
point source pollution, which means less
decomposition of organic matter. The order from
highest levels to lowest levels is; Pizza Hut, Mariners
Cove, Boat Harbor, Agriculture Site, and the Post
Office. Post Office, being the lowest would most likely
have more non point source pollution killing marine
animal and plant life, then resulting in decomposition
of organic matter which lowers dissolved oxygen
levels.
Conclusion
Looking at the data our hypothesis was
wrong. We predicted that there would
be lower levels in the bottom pond.
They were higher in the bottom and
lower in the top. We think that the non
point source pollution did not exit the
top pond because its has only one
place to exit. If this did happen then the
non point source pollution killed the
marine plants and animals resulting in
decomposition of organic matter.
Next Steps
If we could further our experimenting, we would go
back and test for nitrates as well. Then we would
do research on nitrates and the connections to
dissolved oxygen. We would also research even
more in depth about Kuapa Pond. If the nitrate
and dissolved oxygen levels were low, we would
research and see another variable of the
dissolved oxygen level and then do tests to see
what is making the dissolved oxygen levels lower.
Pictures
Before Construction
http://www.hawaiikaimarina.com/images/nostalgia/hawaiikai1974_1024.JPG
After Construction
http://www.808golf.com/oahu/pointsofinterest/eastoahu/images/p5.jpg
The End
Any questions ?