Last of the Samples Processed

An example of a run sample without bacterial growth

Incubate at 112 degrees

Samples inside Petri Dishes

Filtration Apparatus 

Some of the bottles used for the study

This week I met JJ in the lab in the mornings to help her run the last of the water samples. She needs each water sample run through the filtration apparatus, the pH, the total chlorine, and the free chlorine. 

Once the water had been run through the filtration system and all of the tests are completed we placed the petri dishes in an incubator for 18 hours at 112 degrees to encourage the growth of thermo-tolerant coliforms.

Tuesday: I cleaned some petri dishes and checked the pH, free/total chlorine

Wednesday: Continued checking pH, free/total chlorine 

Thursday: Continued checking pH, free/total chlorine and that afternoon I placed the petri dishes into the incubator for 18 hours.

This morning- I went to the lab and removed the petri dishes from the incubator and went through each sample to check for pink or yellow spots of bacteria growth. The presence of pink bacterial growth shows a great presence of iron in the water. The presence of yellow bacterial growth shows a presence of thermo-tolerant coliforms. 

I am also supplementing this work in the lab by reading a presentation that JJ sent me outlining the details of the biology/infrastructure of Hale County and I am slowly but surely working through the large packet outlining what is needed for the proposal.

I will continue reading through this packet this weekend and write again soon. 

Justinn

Beginning of Water Quality Independent Study (NEW 312)

During this independent study I will be assisting JJ Cook, a University of Alabama Ph.D. student in conducting and analyzing water samples from individuals throughout Hale County. Once 300 samples have been collected and analyzed, I will be working on the narrative aspects of this EPA proposal/grant. I will assist JJ in the lab with the last of the water samples and organize this data into purposes that fit into the specifications of the EPA grant/proposal.  I will explore the broader significance of this water quality test in regards to infrastructurE problems in the United States and throughout the world. Along with the lab work and proposal, I will be keeping a narrative description of this independent study by updating my blog weekly with pictures of what I am doing and what I am getting out of this work. 

This past week JJ and I collected 16 samples a day of water from the northern part of Hale County (near Moundville). Once we collected all of these samples we spent Friday morning in the lab. JJ briefly showed me how she tested the water for bacteria. She showed me a couple samples that we collected last week that were full of bacteria. We discussed the logistics of how I am going to help her in this project. I am really looking forward to every aspect of this project. 

I am going to meet JJ tomorrow morning at the lab at 8 AM. I will take some pictures and upload them soon.

Justinn

Week Six/Conclusion

Seedlings 

Progress of raised beds and tomatoes

Sunken Beds Progress

Monday's Harvest

This week was a little bit slow. I worked on adding mulch to the tomato bed to further suppress the growth of weeds. This week I continued to tend to the garden by weeding, watering, harvesting, and planting (eg. marigolds). 

I continued to work with the kids until 10 AM and then go with JJ to help with the water quality work. 

In short, this week was the same as the last.

CONCLUSION:

This experience exposed me to many different types of people (ex. M students/graphic design, architecture students, HERO staff). My exposure to the inconsistencies in the water quality and living conditions of the individuals of Hale County helped me realize I want to work on environmental social justice issues in the future. 

Working in Greensboro has shown me I do want to work in a city rather than rural Alabama. 

I learned about the importance of the professional relationships between people in work settings... and how that relationship reflects on every one's job performance. 

My experience in the garden was exceptional. It was very cool seeing the seeds grow to these large plants bearing vegetables within the five weeks I was there. It was a cool experience digging the sunken beds (although it was hot as hell) and learning various things from Pam, Lydia, and the gardeners around town. 

I am really glad I was given the opportunity to intern at HERO. It's hard to believe that the people of Hale County and the surrounding Black Belt counties are so impoverished and lacking in resources. I hope to help individuals similar to HERO in the future.