I have just collected my second lot of samples. In comparison to when I collected my first samples, which was after almost weeks of regular rain, in the ten days between sampling it has been completely dry, apart from a few scattered showers today. This climatic change led to the wetland looking completely different. Firstly, the total volume of water in the wetland appeared to be lower (on observation) and it also looked as though there there was more sediment in the water, maybe because it was more polluted. I am expecting much higher turbidity results this time.

I also learnt a lot more about my site on this visit. I found this sign. The diagram on the left shows the way the water travels around the wetland, in the process of cleaning. It describes how the water is oxygenated as it travels from pond to pond and how certain plants are able to remove nutrients. This diagram suggests reasons for why my results have been the way they are. The middle site, which has been showing the most signs of pollution in the data, is located right next to the pump, so I am most likely sampling water directly from the storm water drains. The diagram also shows where the water should be at it's cleanest, almost opposite my Piper Street site. This location is almost impossible to access, however it would be very interesting to see whether there would be a significant change in the water quality.