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INVESTIGATION OF WATERBODY PARAMETERS AT JÕULUMÄE USING GLOBE METHODS
Organization(s):Estonian Learning Expedition
Country:Estonia
Student(s):Varje Vaher (Viljandi Gymnasium), Artur Leppik (Põlva School), Kriss Sellis (Miina Härma Gymnasium), Margot Klettenberg (Kilingi-Nõmme Gymnasium)
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):Taavi Tammela, Aiki Jogeva
Contributors:Johanna Raudsepp
Laura Altin
Ave Vitsut
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Alkalinity, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, pH, Water Temperature, Water Transparency
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-27
The hydrosphere plays a vital role in shaping environmental conditions. Monitoring changes in water characteristics over time provides valuable insight into ecological health and pollution levels. This study examined the physical and chemical properties of three artificial water bodies in the Jõulumäe area. Our aim was to compare current conditions (August 17, 2025) with previous data (August 14, 2018). We followed GLOBE protocols and utilized instruments such as a Secchi tube, dissolved oxygen probe, potentiometric pH meter, nitrate test kit, conductivity probe, and LabQuest 2. With these, we measured water transparency, pH, nitrate concentrations, and electrical conductivity.
We hypothesized a decline in transparency and pH, an increase in nitrate levels and electrical conductivity, and an overall deterioration in water quality. The results, however, showed mixed outcomes across the sites. Transparency decreased in the quarry and pond but unexpectedly increased in the ditch; this improvement may reflect surface conditions rather than actual water depth. Conductivity rose consistently across all three sites, supporting the hypothesis of increasing dissolved salts and pollutants. pH levels dropped significantly at all locations, likely due to both improved measurement accuracy and the unusually rainy summer of 2025, which introduced more acidic precipitation. Contrary to expectations, nitrate concentrations fell to undetectable levels in the pond and ditch (possibly due to biological uptake) while remaining unchanged in the quarry.
These findings illustrate the complex dynamics of water quality in artificial ecosystems. While some results aligned with initial hypotheses, others diverged, highlighting the roles of environmental variability and biological processes. Comparing the 2018 and 2025 dataset, this study contributes to global environmental monitoring efforts and underscores the importance of long-term, standardized measurements in understanding freshwater systems.