PONDERING … the Power of Water Networks Developed by: Nancy Deever, M.S. and Enviro Geek …Pojoaque Valley HS

A question posed by my Biology I students as they put together team research, based on the water samples they brought from home & tested in our Water Chemistry Unit.

We conducted a LOT of WQ sample testing! When we finished, we researched some of our sample results & produced slide shows to explain our research ….

PONDERISMS….. What to do with over 200 WQ Data points collected by my Biology 1 students since we began water testing in The water samples collected & analyzed included: City tap water, well water and some surface waters; such as local acequias, ponds, rainwater, and rivers.

We gotta lotta data…. We gotta lotta data…. We know some things about it …. We know some things about it …. But we’re floundering an’ wondering, But we’re floundering an’ wondering, Will a network help us flout it ?! Will a network help us flout it ?! Can Net Logo help us make some connections about what we drink, where we live & how WE might be affecting water quality? Can Net Logo help us make some connections about what we drink, where we live & how WE might be affecting water quality?

Possible (?) NODES of our collected data Locations: Locations: Northern Santa Fe county Northern Santa Fe county Southern Rio Arriba county Southern Rio Arriba county Water source: Water source: City tap (Espanloa,Pojo) City tap (Espanloa,Pojo) Rural wells Rural wells Limited surface waters (Acequias, ponds, rivers) Limited surface waters (Acequias, ponds, rivers) Parameters: Parameters:(major) pH pH Nitrates Nitrates Phosphates Phosphates Hardness Hardness Alkalinity Alkalinity Hardness Hardness Parameters: Parameters:(minor) Copper Copper Chlorine Chlorine Iron Iron Hardness Hardness Bacterial counts Bacterial counts

Below Normal Groundwater Levels USGS MODELS for future DATA UTILIZATION Long-Term Groundwater Data Network Climate Response Network Below Normal Groundwater Levels

Map of Hydrology monitoring sites in NM Courtesy of the USGS

From the USGS website, A Primer on Water Quality From the USGS website, Our first question should be, Do YOU know where your water comes from? From whence comes your water – what is the source? The source determines much of your “Water Quality”, such as: Our first question should be, Do YOU know where your water comes from? From whence comes your water – what is the source? The source determines much of your “Water Quality”, such as: Is it safe for drinking? Can it be used for farming or other commercial uses? Is it safe for drinking? Can it be used for farming or other commercial uses? Can fish and other aquatic life – such as the Macro- invertebrates that support much of the food chain - thrive in streams and lakes that are affected by human activities? Can fish and other aquatic life – such as the Macro- invertebrates that support much of the food chain - thrive in streams and lakes that are affected by human activities? To answer these questions, it is helpful to understand what “water quality” means, how it is determined, and the natural processes and human activities that affect water quality. Water Quality (WQ) can be thought of as a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected: Water Quality (WQ) can be thought of as a measure of the suitability of water for a particular use based on selected: physical physical Chemical Chemical biological characteristics. biological characteristics.

Another very IMPORTANT question to discuss: How do the Earth’s natural processes affect water quality? Natural water quality varies from place to place: the seasons, time of day, climate, and the soil types and rocks through which water moves have large effects on water quality. When water from rain or snow moves over the land and through the ground, the water may dissolve minerals in rocks and soil, percolate through organic material such as roots and leaves, and react with algae, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms. Water may also carry plant debris and sand, silt, and clay to rivers and streams making the water appear “muddy” or turbid. When water evaporates from lakes and streams, dissolved minerals are more concentrated in the water that remains. Each of these natural processes changes the water quality and potentially the water use. ** What types of precipitation & rocks in Northern NM will be affecting YOUR water? **

What is found in water? What is found naturally in water? The most common dissolved substances in water are: Minerals or salts that, as a group, are referred to as dissolved solids. Dissolved solids include common constituents such as calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride; plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus; and trace elements such as selenium, chromium, copper, and arsenic. Minerals or salts that, as a group, are referred to as dissolved solids. Dissolved solids include common constituents such as calcium, sodium, bicarbonate, and chloride; plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus; and trace elements such as selenium, chromium, copper, and arsenic. Dissolved gases - such as oxygen and radon - are common in natural waters. Adequate oxygen levels in water are a necessity for fish and other aquatic life. Dissolved gases - such as oxygen and radon - are common in natural waters. Adequate oxygen levels in water are a necessity for fish and other aquatic life. (Can you RECALL what imp. parameter this is: _____________ BUT - Radon gas can be a threat to human health when it exceeds drinking-water standards. BUT - Radon gas can be a threat to human health when it exceeds drinking-water standards. In general, these common constituents are not considered harmful to human health, although some can affect the taste, smell, or clarity of water. Plant nutrients and trace elements in water can be harmful to human health and aquatic life if they exceed standards or guidelines. In general, these common constituents are not considered harmful to human health, although some can affect the taste, smell, or clarity of water. Plant nutrients and trace elements in water can be harmful to human health and aquatic life if they exceed standards or guidelines.

WHAT are some ways human activities affect water quality? Urban and industrial development, farming, mining, combustion of fossil fuels, erosion (such as stream-channel alteration), animal- feeding operations, and other human activities can change the quality of natural waters. As an example of the effects of human activities on water quality, consider nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers that are applied to crops and lawns. These plant nutrients can be dissolved easily in rainwater or snowmelt runoff. Excess nutrients carried to streams and lakes encourage abundant growth of algae, which leads to low oxygen in the water and the possibility of fish kills. Urban and industrial development, farming, mining, combustion of fossil fuels, erosion (such as stream-channel alteration), animal- feeding operations, and other human activities can change the quality of natural waters. As an example of the effects of human activities on water quality, consider nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers that are applied to crops and lawns. These plant nutrients can be dissolved easily in rainwater or snowmelt runoff. Excess nutrients carried to streams and lakes encourage abundant growth of algae, which leads to low oxygen in the water and the possibility of fish kills. Chemicals such as pharmaceutical drugs, dry-cleaning solvents, and oils & gasoline that are used in urban and industrial activities have been found in streams and ground water. Chemicals such as pharmaceutical drugs, dry-cleaning solvents, and oils & gasoline that are used in urban and industrial activities have been found in streams and ground water. RECALL: the Espanola dry-cleaning plume in the Rio Grande ? RECALL: the Espanola dry-cleaning plume in the Rio Grande ?

Standards and guidelines are established to protect water for designated uses such as drinking, recreation, agricultural irrigation, or protection and maintenance of aquatic life. Standards for drinking-water quality ensure that public drinking-water supplies are as safe as possible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) and individual States are responsible for establishing the standards for constituents in water that have been shown to pose a risk to human health. Other standards protect aquatic life, including fish, and fish-eating wildlife.