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Published byGuadalupe Guard Modified over 10 years ago
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Biological Properties
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Biological attributes of a waterway can be important indicators of water quality. Biological attributes refer to the number and types of organisms that inhabit a waterway. The poorer the quality of water, the fewer the number and types of organisms that can live in it.number and types of organisms
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Great candidates for biological monitoring… Benthic Macroinvertebrates Heptageniidae sp. (Mayfly larva) Hydropsyche sp. (Caddisfly larva) Perlodidae sp. (Stonefly larva) (bottom-dwelling)(animals w/o backbones visible to naked eye) (bottom-dwelling) (animals w/o backbones visible to naked eye)
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Macroinvertebrates as Indicators Limited migration patterns–good indicators of localized conditions and site-specific impacts Easy to sample and identify Broad range of habitat requirements and sensitivities to pollution
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The Tolerance Index 0 - 10 most pollution sensitive e.g. Stoneflies 010 most pollution tolerant e.g. Midges & Leeches require high DO, clear water, rocky cobble substrate contain hemoglobin, tolerate lower DO, prefer soft substrate, less sensitive to toxins
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Stonefly Water Penny Beetle Mayfly Dobsonfly Alderfly Mussel Snipe Fly Riffle Beetle Macroinvertebrates as Indicators Pollution Sensitive ( “ Clean Water ” ) Benthos
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Macroinvertebrates as Indicators Blackfly Caddisfly Isopod Cranefly Damselfly Dragonfly Crayfish Amphipod Somewhat Pollution Tolerant Benthos
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Macroinvertebrates as Indicators Pouch Snail Midgefly Worm Leech Pollution Tolerant ( “ Polluted Water ” ) Benthos
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