Analysis of Hydrospheric Data to Predict the Health of a Fresh Water Stream: Bio- Inidcators and Water Chemistry Analysis of Hydrospheric Data to Predict the Health of a Fresh Water Stream: Bio- Inidcators and Water Chemistry Gail Powell, Ph.D. Kenan Fellow Kenan Fellow Leesville Road Middle School WCPSS NCSTA November 2006

NC Standard Course of Study The Hydrosphere The Hydrosphere Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere Objectives 5, 6, 7 and 8 Objectives 5, 6, 7 and 8

NCSCOS Objectives 5: Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water system including: temperature dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, turbidity, bio-indicators 5: Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water system including: temperature dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, turbidity, bio-indicators 6: Evaluate technologies and information systems used to monitor the hydrosphere 6: Evaluate technologies and information systems used to monitor the hydrosphere

NCSCOS Objectives: cont. 7: Describe how humans affect the quality of water. 7: Describe how humans affect the quality of water. 8: Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires: monitoring of the hydrosphere…. 8: Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires: monitoring of the hydrosphere….

Sampling for Water Quality

Environmental Monitoring Students learn to identify stream macroinvertebrates using dichotomous keys Students learn to identify stream macroinvertebrates using dichotomous keys Students learn to conduct colorimetric chemical assays of stream water: pH, nitrates, phosphate, oxygen, turbidity Students learn to conduct colorimetric chemical assays of stream water: pH, nitrates, phosphate, oxygen, turbidity

Environmental Monitoring cont. Students learn to determine water quality based on macroinvertebrate and chemical data Students learn to determine water quality based on macroinvertebrate and chemical data Students experience scientific research, collect data and draw conclusions Students experience scientific research, collect data and draw conclusions

Bio-Indicators Benthic Macroinvertebrates Benthic Macroinvertebrates Benthic – bottom dwellers Benthic – bottom dwellers Macro – large enough to see with the naked eye Macro – large enough to see with the naked eye Aquatic Invertebrates – Clams, mussels, worms, immature insects, crayfish etc. Aquatic Invertebrates – Clams, mussels, worms, immature insects, crayfish etc.

Importance of Macroinvertebrates Are a significant component of the aquatic food chain Are a significant component of the aquatic food chain Survival is affected by water conditions Survival is affected by water conditions Suspended solids smother bottom dwellers when they settle to the stream floor Suspended solids smother bottom dwellers when they settle to the stream floor

Macroinvertebrate Sampling Using a Kick Net Sorting Macroinvertebrates

Identification of Macroinvertebrates Winborne, Ferne A Guide to Stream Walking. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Raleigh, NC: Appendix A – Key to Benthic Macroinvertebrates: dichotomous word and picture key (Available from NC DENR (Department of Environmental and Natural Resources); Contact Judy Pope) Winborne, Ferne A Guide to Stream Walking. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Raleigh, NC: Appendix A – Key to Benthic Macroinvertebrates: dichotomous word and picture key (Available from NC DENR (Department of Environmental and Natural Resources); Contact Judy Pope) Key to Macroinvertebrate Life. University of Wisconsin Extension and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. UWEX Environmental Resources Center Key to Macroinvertebrate Life. University of Wisconsin Extension and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. UWEX Environmental Resources Center Study/Methods/Procedures.HTML Study/Methods/Procedures.HTML

Interpretation of Macroinvertebrate Data Pollution tolerance of macroinvertebrates Pollution tolerance of macroinvertebrates Group 1 – Clean water only Group 1 – Clean water only Group 2 - Tolerate clean to moderately clean Group 2 - Tolerate clean to moderately clean Group 3 – Tolerate clean to polluted water Group 3 – Tolerate clean to polluted water Diversity and type of macroinvertebrates in your stream determine water quality Diversity and type of macroinvertebrates in your stream determine water quality More diversity – cleaner water More diversity – cleaner water More Group 1 and 2 – cleaner water More Group 1 and 2 – cleaner water Calculate Stream Index Value Calculate Stream Index Value

Calculating Stream Index Values 1. Identify the macroinvertebrates. 2. Group organisms according to pollution tolerance Group 1 – Clean water only (3 pts X # of types) Group 2 - Tolerate clean to moderately clean (2 pts X # of types) Group 3 – Tolerate clean to polluted water (1 pt X # of types)

Calculating Stream Index Values 3. Stream Index Value (SIV) = Group 1 pts + Group 2 pts + Group 3 pts Group 1 pts + Group 2 pts + Group 3 pts Excellent (>22) Good (17-22) Fair(11-16) Poor(< 11)

Water Chemistry Test Kits 1. Healthy Water Healthy People Wathershed Testing Kit 1. Healthy Water Healthy People Wathershed Testing Kit Quick, easy to use paper colorimetric test strips Quick, easy to use paper colorimetric test strips pH, nitrate/nitrite, phosphate, alkalinity pH, nitrate/nitrite, phosphate, alkalinity 2.LaMotte GREEN Water Quality Monitoring Kit ~$32 2.LaMotte GREEN Water Quality Monitoring Kit ~$32 Dissolved Oxygen, BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), pH, nitrate, phosphate, coliform bacteria, temperature, turbidity Dissolved Oxygen, BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), pH, nitrate, phosphate, coliform bacteria, temperature, turbidity Non toxic contents Non toxic contents No money???? - No money???? - Teachers wish list Teachers wish list <$300 request is best for reasonable <$300 request is best for reasonable response time

Water Chemistry Data pH – measures the relative acidity; pH – measures the relative acidity; 6.5 to 8.5 is normal in US Nitrate – acts as a fertilizer; causes algae blooms ; 5 ppm = poor Nitrate – acts as a fertilizer; causes algae blooms ; 5 ppm = poor Phosphate – acts as fertilizer; causes algae blooms; 10 ppm = poor Phosphate – acts as fertilizer; causes algae blooms; 10 ppm = poor * Study/Methods/Procedures.HTML * Study/Methods/Procedures.HTML

Water Chemistry Data Dissolved Oxygen - an indication of how well the water can support life Dissolved Oxygen - an indication of how well the water can support life 9-10 ppm = very good 9-10 ppm = very good <4 ppm some fish and macroinvertebrates decline <4 ppm some fish and macroinvertebrates decline Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) – Bacteria use oxygen to decompose waste reducing the amount of DO available to fish and other organisms. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) – Bacteria use oxygen to decompose waste reducing the amount of DO available to fish and other organisms. 1-2 ppm = Very Good 3-5 ppm = Moderately Clean 6-9 ppm = Somewhat polluted > 10 ppm = Very polluted

Water Data cont. Turbidity – how clear or cloudy the water is Turbidity – how clear or cloudy the water is Measured with Secchi disk in deep water Measured with Secchi disk in deep water Measured with turbidity tube in shallow water Measured with turbidity tube in shallow water Secchi depth of <1 m = high concentration of suspended solids Secchi depth of <1 m = high concentration of suspended solids

Turbidity Secchi Disk : Secchi Disk : Used in lakes Used in lakes Turbidity Tube: Turbidity Tube: Used for shallow water: Made from florescent light bulb cover and pvc pipe cap (See handout for directions. )

Temperature Varies with latitude, altitude and season Varies with latitude, altitude and season Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. Warm water will have higher BOD Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water. Warm water will have higher BOD Susceptibility to disease will increase in warmer water. Susceptibility to disease will increase in warmer water. Fish kills are more likely in warm water due to low DO. Fish kills are more likely in warm water due to low DO.

Effects of a Golf Course on Water Quality and Stream Health Students analyze macroinvertebrate samples from one location that is upstream and one that is downstream of a golf course Students analyze macroinvertebrate samples from one location that is upstream and one that is downstream of a golf course Students calculate SIVs for both sites Students calculate SIVs for both sites Students analyze water chemistry for both sites (pH, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity etc.) Students analyze water chemistry for both sites (pH, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity etc.)

Effects of a Golf Course on Water Quality and Stream Health cont. Students determine whether or not the golf course impacted water quality Students determine whether or not the golf course impacted water quality Essay: Students explain why the golf course did or did not impact stream health Essay: Students explain why the golf course did or did not impact stream health Compare and contrast SIV and water chemistry data for upstream and downstream sites. Compare and contrast SIV and water chemistry data for upstream and downstream sites. Identify possible reasons for differences or similarities Identify possible reasons for differences or similarities

Sample Bottle of Macroinvertebrates The following organisms may be included in your bottle: The following organisms may be included in your bottle: Stonefly*Caddisfly Damsel flyBeetle adult Dragon flyClam Mayfly*Midge larva Black flySnail * Count the number of tails carefully –sometimes they stick together or break off.

Conclusion Students learn SCOS Hydrosphere Goal 3 Objectives 5, 6, 7, 8 Students learn SCOS Hydrosphere Goal 3 Objectives 5, 6, 7, 8 Students learn how bioindicators (macroinvertebrates) are used to monitor water quality Students learn how bioindicators (macroinvertebrates) are used to monitor water quality Students learn how water chemistry is a measure of water quality Students learn how water chemistry is a measure of water quality Students experience scientific research, collect data and draw conclusions Students experience scientific research, collect data and draw conclusions

Student Understanding “Once we understand we can care, and once we care, we can change.” Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter