2/10/2020
We arrived at IC1.01 in Wills Memorial at 2.30pm and began the first laboratory session of our third year. The strict COVID-19 precautionary measures made it an entirely different experience to previous labs, with acrylic dividers, face shields, masks and an enthusiastic Mac, armed with a rather menacing wooden pointer stick (to help point out things within 2 metres of the students).
The session consisted of a titration refresher as well as training in the use of the Hach HQ4OD Multimeter in order to prepare us for the Monday recce trip and Tuesday fieldwork day.
The Hach HQ4OD Multimeter is used to measure a wide range of data, but for the purposes of our fieldwork, we learnt how to calibrate the pH measurements, Dissolved Oxygen Content and the Electrical Conductivity. The meter can also be used to record time (in intervals if needed) as well as the temperature of samples.
Meanwhile, the titrations were conducted to measure total alkalinity using an indicator.
Armed with plenty of sharpies, we carefully collected and labelled our equipment to store at Hazim’s House, all ready to go for our Monday Recce Trip.