If I use activated charcoal to filter the water, I expect it will make the water most clean. Activated charcoal is good at grabbing impurities and taking them out, so the water might look clearer and smell better. I think the lake water will have better pH levels, clarity & lead levels because the activated charcoal can help balance the water. The water should also be clearer because the activated charcoal can trap tiny particles.

Lead is a harmful substance that can get into water, especially from old pipes. It's dangerous, especially for kids and old people, and can cause problems with development and hurt the brain. Testing for lead in water is important to make sure the water is safe to drink and doesn't cause harm to people.

pH is a measure of how basic or acidic something is, like water. The scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. If it's less than 7, it's acidic, and if it's more than 7, it's basic. Basic things can feel slippery, while acidic things can taste sour. It's crucial to check pH in water because it helps us know if it's safe and won't harm us.
Clarity is how clear or transparent water appears. It's like looking through a window – the clearer, the better. I measured clarity on a scale from 1 to10 The higher the number, the clearer the water. Clear water is essential because it looks better and usually tastes better too. Checking clarity helps us ensure that the water we use is clean and safe.

Distillation is a sophisticated process used to separate and purify liquids based on their boiling points. Here's how it works: the liquid mixture is heated, causing it to vaporize. The vapor is then cooled, turning it back into a liquid. The key is that components with higher boiling points will condense at higher temperatures, allowing for the separation of different substances. This method is particularly useful for obtaining purified substances or creating super clean water. Distillation is widely employed in various fields, from producing essential oils to obtaining pure chemicals for industrial applications. It's essentially a precise technique for selectively isolating specific components from a liquid mixture based on their thermal properties.

Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a flexible substance obtained  by heating materials like wood or coconut shells. This process creates a tiny opening  in the charcoal, giving it a sponge-like structure. The amazing feature of activated charcoal lies in these openings , allowing it to effectively absorb and keep particles. Acting like a magnet, it attracts and traps unwanted substances, making it an excellent choice for purifying water. Beyond its water-cleaning skillfulness , activated charcoal is employed for various purposes, including air purification and health applications. Its unique ability to cleanse and enhance safety has earned it the status of a superhero in maintaining cleanliness and well-being.

Rock and sand filtration presents a basic yet effective method for water filtration. In this process, water seeps through layers of rocks and sand, using their natural filtration capabilities. Naturally, these materials act as a sieve, capturing particles and impurities that are in the water. Similar to the natural filtration processes occurring in the earth, this technique offers a simple approach to enhance water clarity and safety. Consider it related  to nature's own water purifying tool , providing an easy   solution for obtaining cleaner water.

Lakes can contain a variety of germs, including bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, viruses such as norovirus, and parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. These microorganisms can originate from animal waste or human activities and may lead to stomach issues if ingested. Proper precautions and water treatment methods are crucial to lower the risk of waterborne illnesses when using  lake water for different purposes.

My research is crucial because it focuses on finding effective ways to clean water. Clean water is essential for our health, and understanding different filtration methods helps make sure access to safe drinking water. By comparing the pH levels, clarity, and lead amounts before and after filtration, we gain  knowledge of the best ways to purify water, preventing the spread of waterborne diseases. This research also addresses environmental impact, disaster preparation, and community health, helping  the safeness of individuals and communities.

Controlled,  Type  of water, Ways of evaluations, Amount of water in containers. Container size Same temperature when evaluating first and last water samples.

Dependant,  Measure clarity using a scale (1-10), Measure pH levels using pH strips.(1-14), Measure lead in water (1-50)

Independant Distillation purification rocks bottle Filtration. Activated Charcoal filtration

Preparation-

 To make my bottle ready for the Bottle Filtration method, I cut my 2-liter plastic bottle at the bottom leaving the middle part of it as well as the top. I then had 3 coffee filters and then hot glued it to the top of the plastic bottle surrounding the lip of the bottle. One I was done I put six coffee filters inside of the bottle so the sand would not get through easily. After I put a cup of sand and a cup of small rocks into the bottle. I repeated this until I had 2 layers of small rocks and three layers of sand between them and a last coffee filter on top. I then put 29 ml of lake water in each container.

For the Distillation method had a pot and ice in the freezer, but I would not be leaving them out or they would melt while on top of the lid of pot.

For the Activated charcoal Filter, I put the filter inside of the compartment and then I would be ready to fill the water where the compartment was and then pour the water out when had gone through the filter.

Experimental-

I tested the lake water with no Filtration or Purification Process by submerging the pH strips for 2 seconds and the shaking excess water off the strips also provided the lead amount, I tested the clarity by shining a flashlight through and then seeing which one had the brightest light on a black page. The before filtration or purification water lead amount and clarity and the pH were 6.5 for pH Lead was 5 and the clarity was 7.

When I was done assembling the Bottle filtration method, I poured the 29 ml of lake water through the assortment of rocks and sand, and I caught the water in the same container that originally had the non-filtered but washed it so the non-filtered water would not be in it still. The duration of the Bottle filter took 11 minutes and 33 seconds, I then put the bottle filtered water back into the container that it was originally in. I then had my pH strips and took a test for the bottle filtration waited around 1 minute before I checked the water as a pH was 6.0 which was not perfect, but it should be around 6.5- 8.5. The lead amounts were a 5 which is considered normal. The lead level should be between 0-15 and the clarity of the water was a 5 because of its brown color, and sediment in the water.

For the Activated Charcoal filtration process I had to run some tap water through it first to ger rid of some of the charcoals color in the filter that wouldn’t changed the lake waters color. Then I poured 26 ml of lake water through the top and it came down at the bottom. The water filtered by the Activated charcoal duration time was 47 seconds. The water came out very clean and the pH was 7.0 and the lead was 5 and the clarity was 10.

 For the Distillation purification method, I put a bowl in a medium sized pot and then I put my lake water around it (I made sure the bowl was not too big or it would cover the water where it would vaporize to the lid of the pot). Once I was done, I put the stove to medium heat and placed 5 ice cubes on top of the upside-down lid on the pot. I waited till all the ice cubes were melted and it seemed like the water in the pot was all in bowl and then I turns it off, the duration of the purification was 8 minutes and 17 seconds. I waited 20 minutes before I tested the water so it could get to room temperature. I then tested the Distilled water, and the pH was 6.5, and the lead was 5, and the clarity was 10.

The water before filtration or purification looks clean and was the water before I had established the filtration methods. The water was a yellow/tan color with little particles inside of the water.  The water was a bit clear so you could see through. When I applied the first filtration method which was the Bottle filter, water came out a bit browner than the original water, I think this was because the sands color was also mixing with the water. When I did the activated charcoal one the water come out very clean and had not dirt or dark color it was very clear. When I did the Distillation method the water was clear and was with no sediment but with less water than the original amount. My whole project of experimenting took around two and a half hours.

The Filtration or Purification method that had the highest quality was the Activated Charcoal method because it had a pH of 7.0 which was the most normalized of the rest (6.5). A clarity was a 10 which was the same as the distillation process, but the pH of the Activated Charcoal was more neutral. The lead amounts in the Activated were at 5 which was the same as the rest, but the pH was more neutral than all the rest.

Bottle Filtration  pH (6) Clarity (5)

I had Lake water and then I had different filtration methods ( Activated Charcoal, Rock & sand , Disstilation) I then I tested pH, Lead and the clarity of the water then based on those i found out which  filtration or purification method worked best.

Summing up, my project looked at different ways to clean water and how they are affected by different filtering systems. Some methods worked better than others. It's important because we want to pick the best way to make water safe for drinking and keep our community healthy.What I found helps us understand how to take care of our water and why it's important.

I Learned that my hypothesis was correct the activated charcoal was the best filtration method. I learned by comparing the pH, clarity and lead levels before and after filtration or purification, to know which method works best. Also importance because his helps us understand how to keep our water clean and safe for everyday use and for future issues.

Not Enough cotton balls in bottle filtration because

 some sand got into water.

Could have not boiled as hot as it needed to (distillation)
Not enought rocks (rock & sand)

Could have tested pH/lead wrong (Not enough time in water or not enough)

• Science News for Students: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/
• Khan Academy (Chemistry and Biology sections): https://www.khanacademy.org/
• National Geographic - Environment: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/
• American Chemical Society: https://www.acs.org/
• ChemCollective (Virtual Labs): http://chemcollective.org/
• US Geological Survey (Water Data): https://waterdata.usgs.gov/
• PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
• ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): https://www.niehs.nih.gov/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/
• World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/
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Acknowledgements:

-Teacher (Mrs. Donovan)

-Mom (Eileen)

Dad- (John)