Stream Monitoring Vocabulary Review As each slide is presented: (in 3 table groups (Group 1: tables 1, 2, 3 – Group 2 is tables 4 & 5, Group 3 is tables 6, 7, & 8) Try to come up with the vocabulary word or phrase that is the best answer. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. Keep score!!

pH Related to pollution, this is a measure of how acidic or how basic water is.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria from human and animal waste. I didn’t do it!!!

Aquatic Ecosystems All living populations in a watery area, it DOES include nonliving parts as well. Hey dude….I love my home!!

Temperature The average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Turbidity When “high” there are a lot of particles in the water & sunlight can’t get through, when “low” there are fewer particles and water is clearer.

Phosphorus Element found in nature, used by cell membranes of plants & animals, we use to make fertilizers, detergents, etc.

Nitrogen Element found in nature, plants & animals need it to live, comes from fertilizers, animal/human waste. It wasn’t me!!!

Heavy Metals Examples are: copper, iron, mercury, zinc. They are found in nature but sometimes pollute streams & waterways.

Watershed Described as a “drainage basin” it is an area where water collects and flows toward a river or larger body of water.

Stream Monitoring The process of studying streams to assess the stream’s quality.

Biological Characteristics When scientists look at what is living in a stream they are studying this. (Only 1 part of the 3 assessments that are done.)

(Entire) Watershed When scientists see a healthy stream, it makes them pretty confident that this is ALSO healthy.

Chemical Characteristics Levels of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity & possible pollutants make up this part of the study.

Stream’s as Indicators/Streams are good indicators of health of entire watershed. The Flint River Watershed Coalition is interested in the health of streams like Thread Creek because…...

Natural AND human actions As we study streams we see that they can change due to either of these two ways….

Acid Rain Because of a well known Earth process, industrial air pollution gets into our streams & rivers causing this.

Dissolved Oxygen Gaseous Oxygen gets into streams & rivers due to: spreading out of air molecules, rapid movement of water & air, and even as a waste product of photosynthesis. (Hint…it’s a GOOD thing!!)

Aquatic Ecosystem A watery area that contains: insects, birds, reptiles, micro & macro invertebrates, vegetation, soil, rocks…...

Format change now: For the next several slides:  Use the green laminated sheets  Be familiar with the different headings & physical characteristics that are listed  Be prepared to come up with the heading AND a numerical value based on descriptions you will be given.  5 minutes to study the green laminated sheets. Do in 3 groups:  Group 1 = Tables 1, 2, & 3  Group 2 = Tables 4 & 5  Group 3 = Tables 6, 7 & 8

Vegetation Variety = 3 There isn’t a huge variety of vegetation near Nelson Creek, mostly older trees near the banks. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Erosion = 5 There is very little erosion, bare banks are rare. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Flow Path = 5 Nelson Creek is meandering with LOTS of bends. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Obstructions = 1 Logs & other things are common in the river, causing sediment to accumulate. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Stream Bottom = 5 The bottom of Nelson Creek is mostly gravel, with some logs or boulders. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Pools & Riffles = 3 Nelson Creek has only occasional pools, unfortunately it has no runs or riffles. (must name the feature and the number you choose)

Vegetation Overhang = 1 No vegetation overhangs the water. (must name the feature and the number you choose)