Fishing and fish
Introduction
Fishing and fish layering have been an economic activity to communities that leaves along the lake as well as people living in areas where the climate conditions support layering. Similar to other economic activities, different challenges affect fishing. These challenges may be controlled while some others may not be controlled. To ensure that fishing has continued, all the controllable problems should be addressed to reduce risks associated with them.
Problem statement
For this assignment, we are going to discuss challenges that have been affecting fishers along the lake situated in the state of Alabama. This is following the resent problem noticed where there had been fish dying and the production of bad odor.
In this experiment, the problem that is addressed is dying of fishes in the lake at Alabama and the release of the foul odor of rotten eggs. Dying of fishes is termed as a problem because fishes have been the source of income for people located around this area. Furthermore, they use these fish as their food. This problem, if not addressed, will fleet their economic statutes and will put their health on stake for these fish may have been poisoned, thus becoming unhealthy to whoever consumes them. Additionally, there will be pollution of the environment, making it unworthy for living. Such a problem has been experienced in different parts of the world.
Similarly, the production of foul smell is a problem in that it may lead to a disease outbreak. This follows the inhalation of contaminated air. Besides, it pollutes the environment, thus making it unfavorable for any development activities. These smells may be a result of chemical contamination in the atmosphere, which will lead to the death of plants as well as other living things along the area. To savaged the envelopment and its surroundings, the key reason for the problem outbreak and appropriate solution has to be arrived at with the correct methods.
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Objectives
There are different objectives that this experiment addresses. One of the objectives is to determine the causes of fish dying in this lake. This will help in analyzing the best solution, which will also help in ensuring that such a problem has been prevented in the future. The second objective will be to determine the cause of the foul smell of rotten eggs. This will give a way of easing the cleaning of the environment. The third objective will be the determination of possible solutions or precaution measures that should be put in place to prevent fish from dying.
Moreover, determining the control measure that that be applied to eliminate lousy odour will be the next objective. Another objective will be the determination of the best alternatives that would be taken if the solution is not administered. There will also be an address of how people living in this area would do in ensuring that there is a healthy flow of the activities as a solution to the problems affecting them is being analyzed. The other objective would be to address any other issue that may be outlined on the ground during the preceding of the key activities. Addressing these objectives will ensure that the problem along the area has been solved and will also give future security to the city, for there will be a set of precautions to prevent such occurrence in the future.
Steps
For a practical analysis of the problem, the plan will be in a way that there are steps to follow to ensure that all of the issues have been addressed. Besides, all the requirements will be set in place to ensure that there is a flow of activities in the experiment from the start to the pick where the solution will be arrived at with the project. Different steps are followed in ensuring that the experiment has been of positive return.
One of the steps is the identification of the problem. This is the most critical step for any experiment. In this step, the definition of the problem is done. Furthermore, the statement of the problem is pasted for clarifications of the problem done. This helps in well understanding of the problem and its results if it continues. This step has been addressed where fish are dying, and the release of the foul smell of rotten eggs is the problem on hand.
The second step is the formation of a hypothesis. During this step, an educated prediction or proposal to the solution is stated. In this step, measurable activities that can be done to solve the challenge is outlined. This step is always accompanied by the statement, “if doing this, then this will help.” To proceed to the next level, all hypotheses should be stated. The third step is the test of the hypothesis. In this step, an experiment is performed where the outlined hypothesis is tested. This will help in determining the best solution to undertake. Furthermore, it will aid in comparing the effectiveness of different solutions that could be proposed with the aim of solving the challenge. To proceed to the next step, all the stated hypotheses should be tested.
The fourth step is the analysis of the data from the experiment. This is where the effectiveness of different experiment that has been performed following the defined hypothesis is done. The results are displayed for easy comparison. Additionally, all the assumptions are clarified as true or false. The correct hypothesis indicates that the thesis can be implemented to get the solution.
The fifth step is the communication of the results. This is where findings are displayed to all the stakeholders. This step is almost the last, for it defines the solution to the problem. Moreover, alternatives to the answer are stated, and a statement of advice on the measure to take is given. After this step, implementation measures are put in place to start solving the problem with the use of the solution arrived at eventually.
Case studies
There are different cases reported in various states of America where fishes dyed due to different reasons. One of these cases where massive fishes dyed was in Maryland in the USA. In 2011, enormous fish died following a change in temperatures in lake water in Maryland. Temperatures were lower in that seawater became too cold, resulting in stress to fishes in the lake. A huge loss was recoded to the economy following this problem. This problem relates to the state at hand in that there has been a reported problem in Alabama.
Another case was experienced in the Gulf of Mexico in the year 1986. This was as a result of red tides that hit the area and turned seawater to red as a result of pollution. Millions of fishes died following this trauma. Additionally, there was an outbreak of bad smell, which is the same as in the case where the area is experiencing a foul odor smell. After research conclusion was arrived at that the problem was as a result of pollution. This case is similar to the problem that is being experienced in Alabama currently.
Washington DC. A vast population of fishes dyed following the pollution of lake water by industries around the area. There was the release of chemicals that contaminated waters, making them unfavorable for aquatic life. Nevertheless, this problem leads to the destruction of the state economy for most of the people who mainly depend on fishing were left with nothing to do. This case relates to the problem on hand in that in both, colossal loss of fishes has been lost. All the fishermen within the status of the state fall. This is because there has been no income from the death of their source of income.
Another case that has been reported that relate to the problem at hand was the problem reported in Virginia. In this state, there was a massive death of fishes. After research on the issue, the analysis was done, and it was identified that this problem was a result of a change in temperatures. This makes aquatic life stressing, leading to the death of fishes. Moreover, there has been an identified problem with pollution. Agricultural activities polluted lake and river waters in the area. This is where agrarian chemicals, which include herbicides and pesticide wastes, are released to lakes making water more acidic.
Dependent and independent variable to be measured
For effective control of the problem stated, different variables need to be addressed. Some of these variables are independent in that their accuracy is a result of another occurrence. Others are dependent on that their concurrency is not associated with any other variable. Most of the independent variable occurs naturally while dependent variables are as a result of human activity or other activities that take place in an area.
One of the dependent variables is pollution. Pollution has put aquatic life on stake. Some of the causes of pollution include agricultural activities. The family along the lake in Alabama has been using chemicals in their land. Other population on the upper parts of the location also uses these chemicals. When erosion occurs, chemicals are carried to the lake leading to pollution, which leads to the death of the fish. To prevent this problem, the use of chemicals should be regulated to avoid contamination of the lake.
Apart from agricultural activities, pollution has resulted from the release of crude oil that has been released by heave vehicles that use the road along the lake. There is also a release of chemicals from the industries which pollute the environment. The presence of rotten egg smell may be a result of the release of Sulphur components to the environment. This can be prevented through recycling the industrial waste as well as the treatment of the debris before release to the surrounding.
Another dependent cause of the problem and need to be addressed is the change in water ph. This is where water may be more acidic or more lime. The objective of this problem is the presence of chemicals in the water. Another result that may lead to change in ph is many compositions of aquatic life. This will be solved through the mining of marine resources.
An example of an independent variable is environmental hypoxia. This is a state of low dissolved oxygen in the water. Whenever this problem occurs, fish get difficulties in breathing, and there is a limited supply of oxygen in their body system, leading to death. Similarly, red tides are examples of an independent cause of fish dead. This disaster has been reported in different states, causing the end of a considerable number of fishes.
Stress can be another cause of death in aquatic life. This is an independent clause and is mainly associated with overcrowding. It can also be as a result of insufficient oxygen and noise that may be released within the area.
Test methods
Different test methods are used during the correction of the information. Each technique used helps in attaining specific information that would be useful in decision making. One of these methods is guerilla testing. In this method, a person moves to the population and choose participant in random and ask them questions concerning the problem at hand. In this case, an issue that could be invited to the members of the affected society would be like “for how long has this problem been affecting the area?” “what do you see as the cause of the problem?” on asking these questions, the researcher will be able to relate different information received with the data that could have been analyzed in previous years.
The reason why this method was selected is that it helps in correcting personal opinion. In this case, personal opinion is of more use, for it will help to determine the effectiveness of the problem that is affecting individuals as well as the community. Information from this testing method will be of much importance in that they will help in determining the best solution that will be appreciated by all.
After analysis of all the information from this technique, a typical response to the nature of the problem affecting the area will be concluded as the main problem in the region. Furthermore, other issues that individuals will outline will be termed as minor problems, which might be leading to the main problem. If there is no cause of any problem indicated by the individual, then the conclusion would be that there is no problem.
The second method is lab usability testing. These are testing run in a specific environment and is being supervised by moderators. Results are then given after the experiment is performed, and they are used in decision making. In this case, samples would be taken to the lab and testing performed to determine the scientific cause of the problem.
This method is selected to ease the chemical test that might be leading to problems affecting the area. One of the issues that will be addressed through the use of this method is the change of water ph. This will help in determining the acidity and the alkalinity of the water. Besides, this method will be used to determine the cause of the foul rotten egg smell. If there are high concentrations of acid in the water, then the cause of fish dying is acidity. If there is low ph., then the water is more alkaline. For the rotten egg smell, if the result indicates that there is a high concentration of sulphur compounds, then this is the result of the smell. If the sulfur concentration is low, the scent is a result of other natural factors.
The third testing method is not moderated remote usability testing. This technique occurs when there is no moderator during the experiment. It gives a faster, robust, and less expensive user testing results for future applications in analysis. Participants are asked to complete all the assigned work in their area of study by using their devices and give final results. This method will be applicable in this research, for there is no equipment supplied by members of this community, so I will have to use my best way out.
This method is selected because it allows the use of the equipment that the researcher has to perform his or her test without going to the lab. This helps in ensuring that time given to conduct research has been used appropriately. The information that will be investigated by the use of this method includes effects that could have been brought up by the accuracy of erosion, which took place early before the identification of the problem. This method will also help in determining whether there is enough supply of oxygen within the lake.
Results from this method would show that few supplies of oxygen would lead to the death of fish as well as polluting the environment. Furthermore, the conclusion on the effect of erosion would be that there has been contamination of aquatic life as the chemicals driven from different areas are drawn to the lake.
The fourth testing method is contextual inquiring. This method is more interview and observation method applied by researchers in information gathering. Participants are first asked questions concerning the problem in hand. This information includes how the problem has affected their daily life as well as which measures they have put in place to ensure that this problem is solved.
This method is selected because it allows the integration of different people during the research. Furthermore, results will be more appreciated by the people within the area for their contribution will be highly appreciated. In this method, the researcher can get information that he could not be able to get if he or she didn’t involve different personnel within the area.
Different information is analyzed from the use of this technique. One of the information researchers got from this method is the problem affecting fishers. Besides, one can determine the best solutions to the challenges.
The next method is the phone interview. This is where a researcher makes a call and interviews the targeted person through the phone call and completes the task that he had. This method is mostly used when information required can be gotten from individuals without [necessary meeting them. This method is selected for it will help in gathering information on how to give out the best solution on the issue. Moreover, comparison of different situation that has ever taken place in other areas is made, and a similar precaution can be taken to solve this problem.
If similar causes are identified, the same precaution will be taken to solve the problem. Besides, a phone interview will help in getting information from other sources that will help in analyzing issues. Additionally, there will be a sufficient share of knowledge.
The sixth method is code sorting. In code sorting, an interface is used to prioritize content. This method is one of the simplest ways for what one requires is to run concepts to a program that does the rest of the analysis. In most cases, this method is used to perform scientific analysis. This method is selected because it will help in quick review after the research and collection of information are done. For it is a quick method of data analysis, there will be much time-saving.
The main intention of this method is to analyze how to conclude with the use of list time possible. Furthermore, the system will be able to analyze data and compare the information with other similar information that could have been loaded to the system. After a complete analysis of the data, this will give out information that will be used in the conclusion of the best decision.
The seventh method is session recording. This is a method that allows the initial recording of activities that a researcher does when he or she visits the site from which research is being performed. In this method, all activities in a specific area are recorded, and there is a straightforward analysis of how events follow one another.
Moreover, the other method is interviewing. This method has been integrated by other different testing methods to get appropriate information. The interview involves asking questions that have been organized and prepared for getting the critical course of the problem. In most researches, interviewing is more applied for it gives firsthand information resulting in a better collection of data.
This method is selected because it gives a great chance to relate to the people in the field. Interviewing questions are given to participants who are supposed to answer the questions with the best answers. The answer given is compared and analyzed to provide a conclusion. Some of the information that is explained through this method involves the duration the problem has been affecting the area. Besides, the solution to the issues can be determined by the use of this method. The practical application of the technique will help in delivering an appropriate decision.
The other testing method is observation and photographing. In this method, researchers observe the state and the condition of the area of research. This method is mainly used during the identification of problems. Photos are taken as evidence in proving that the question that has been identified is present. In this case, observing could be more applicable, for one could see a vast number of fishes dead.
The reason that made this method being selected is that there is evidence of fishes floating on water. Observation also allows getting firsthand information, mostly if the researcher is a reasonable observer. Some of the information that one can outline from this method is the nature of the problem that the main challenge is, resulting in the environment. Significant results of expectation after the use of this method will indicate that the climate has been much affected. Furthermore, it suggests that if measures are not taken, the community will end up experiencing total damage to their environment, which will affect their daily activities. This will lead to the fraud of the economy.
The other method is direct exploration. This method is mainly used in the initial phase of testing and helps in guiding the sample expectation. This method was selected because the researcher has to associate directly with the situation that is being experienced by the members of the community involved. Besides, there is an aim of learning more about the problem straight from the area being affected. The information that is expected from this method is on how negative has the issue concerning the community. Another info is which precautions should be put in place to solve the problem.
Great results after using this method will indicate that the researcher is more experienced in using the technique. Another effect would be that this area is much affected, and precautions need to be taken. The lower result would indicate that there is no that serious problem within the region.
Another method to apply would be discrete choice testing. This method allows testing of different options. Then the conclusion is made after results are being recorded. This method is selected to be applied because it gives room for more than one test to take place. Besides, it encourages a comparison of different results. In this case, this method will help in determining some possible causes of the foul rotten egg smell that is affecting the area. If various tests show that there is a high concentration of Sulphur, then the conclusion will be made that unpleasant egg smell is a result of Sulphur. If the results show otherwise, then there will be the determination of the vital course of the problem.
Sampling protocol
For appropriate data collection, sampling protocols are required. For since this area has a few numbers of the homestead, every homestead will give one member for an interview. Afterward, samples from the ground will be corrected to ensure that chemical causes and other caused of the problem which could not have been identified through discussion have been identified. Also, a sample of fishermen who do their activities within the area will be selected. All these stakeholders will help in ensuring that there is good coverage of the city and the associated population in data analysis.
Statistically, the required number of data points is 30. This is because the area is not that large. Furthermore, there are no many departments involved in the area. Thirty points will help in ensuring that the city has been covered in full, and there will be no use of much time.
Conclusion and findings after research
After the analysis of all the information that study, it was concluded that the leading cause of fish dying is pollution. It has been identified that erosion that took place a few weeks before the observation of the problem has resulted in massive pollution of lake water. A lot of agricultural wastes has been carried to the lake. These wastes include agricultural wastes where pesticide and insecticides of farm areas on the top regions in the region have been released to the lake.
The other cause of pollution has been from the industry, which releases their waste product to the environment. These chemicals are driven to the lake, thus putting aquatic life in danger. Also, the low supply of oxygen in the lake has been another cause of fish death in the area. This factor has been much contributed by the release of petroleum products to the lake by the vehicles that use the road along the area.
It has also been identified that lake water in this area is much acidic. This creates unfavorable conditions for fish, leading to their massive death. This has also been a case of death of fishes in other areas in the world. For the cause of the rotten egg smell, it was found that there has been a high concentration of Sulphur and its compound. This is from the industries along the area.
Another cause that has been identified as a cause of the rotten egg smell has been as a result of wastes from different homesteads. Members of families living within the area indicate that there are poor dustbins where they through their wastes. After the decompositions of these wastes, there is a release of the bad odor. The bad smell is also associated with the destruction of drainage and sewerage systems that has been resulted in high rain that rained within the area.
Solutions to the problem
Having analyzed the critical course of the problem, there are proposed solutions that should be put in place. For the problem lead by agricultural wastes, measures to ensure that there is no excessive use of chemicals should be advocated. This will ensure that there is a list of pollution which will save more fish in their environment. Additionally, a measure to prevent erosion has to been put in place. This will help in ensuring that no material has been deported to the lakes, thus ensuring that lake water is not contaminated.
After identifying that industries have been releasing their wastes to the environment, there should be an advocate for treating waste treatment. This will ensure that the waste products do not have much concentration of Sulphur and its compound. This will help in doing away with a bad smell that is associated with sulfur’s mixture. The treatment of industrial waste will also help in ensuring that pollution caused by industrial wastes has been solved.
Poor disposal of family wastes can be prevented through the government’s plan of collection of garbage. Furthermore, educating individuals on measures that they can take to ensure that they create a clean and conducive environment can be another measure to undertake. These measures will ensure that the solution to bad odor has been arrived at and found. Besides, it will help in the prevention of diseases, which would result from unclean environmental conditions.
For the acidity of lake water, industries that release their waste to the lake would be advised to treat those waste and recycle them where possible. This will help in ensuring that there is minimal disposal of acidic chemicals to the lake, which will prevent the death of fishes. Reuse of the product will also help in saving capital that industries would use during the manufacturing process.
Another proposed solution to some of the problems affecting the area is the construction of good drainage systems. This will help in the prevention of bursting of sewerage systems, which results in bad odor. Furthermore, this will help in ensuring that there is the elimination of any contaminating course that may be available with environmental pollution.
Assumptions made
During the research, different hypotheses have been made. One of the assumptions is that all the fishes died of the same problem. This assumption narrows the identification of more causes that could have been the result of the death of fishes. Furthermore, it eases procedures involved during the research. Additionally, much time is saved, for there is a limited number of experiments done.
Another assumption is that there is a considerable contribution to pollution from family wastes. This assumption read to the conclusion that some cause of foul odor rotten smell is as a result of family waste. An advantage associated with this assumption is that members work in ensuring that they have promoted hygiene. Another hypothesis is that there are no cases of fish death from volcanic activities.
There are different importance associated with this research. One of this importance is that effective measure to solve problems affecting fish has been put in place. Another advantage is that the risk associated with pollution has been identified. This is following the outline of different issues that are associated with fish dying.
This research is also essential in that there is a measure that has been proposed to ensure that people have improved their hygiene. This will help in solving diseases that are associated with the polluted environment. Additionally, measures on how industries can work to ensure there are health releases of waste are advocated. Another advantage is that the problem affecting the community has been addressed. Due to these members of the community feel in peace.
After the implementation of all the measures that have been proposed, the community disease will be healed. Furthermore, there is the growth of the economy. Moreover, illnesses that could be a result of bad smell or breathing of contaminated air are prevented, leading to a healthy environment.
Fish dying and present of the foul odor of rotten eggs have been associated with different causes. Some of these causes have been discussed above. Furthermore, solutions to these problems have been outlined. Additionally, there has been an identification of different methods that have been used. All this information can be applied even in other areas where such a case has been experienced.