In the Conventionals Analysis lab, scientists test for inorganic parameters, including nutrients, in soil and water samples. Organisms need nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus to grow, but too many nutrients can lead to problems. For example, too much phosphorus can lead to an algae bloom in a lake; the algae consume the oxygen in the water, which leaves less oxygen available for other organisms (such as fish). Scientists in this lab also test for other conventional parameters – oil and grease, pH, turbidity (amount of sediment clouding the water) and total solids – that serve as indicators of overall water quality.

In this lab:

• The amount of nutrients and oxygen in samples taken from various sources (wastewater, stormwater, lakes, Puget Sound, etc.) is measured as an indicator of overall water quality.
• The source of dangerous or abnormal levels of nutrients and other chemicals of concern (cyanide, phenols, oils, etc.) is tracked.
• The relative health of various locations, and the health of the organisms living in them, are studied and monitored.

For example:

Wapato Lake in Tacoma’s south end was declared the most toxic lake in Washington state in 2007. The City, in partnership with the University of Washington and other organizations, is studying the lake to improve the conditions. One study involved collecting samples from 19 sites around the lake to try to identify the source of excess phosphorus entering the lake. This study identified two areas fed from residential neighborhoods with very high phosphorus levels. These two locations were investigated further and in both cases the sources were identified and eliminated from discharging into Wapato Lake.