Kristopher Deruyter
10/04/10
EnvBiology
Riveredge Nature Center
During our trip to Riveredge nature center we made various observations and took an index of different biotic and abiotic factors in order to determine an approximate water quality for that area of the river.
The first thing our group noticed upon approaching our observation site was heavy brush and deciduous trees scattered throughout the park which tells me the soil can support healthy growth and is supported with the trees root systems. Once in the river we observed overhanging limbs from surrounding trees provided various shade. The river bottom was covered in mostly medium sized rocks with an occasional large rock and had a sandy floor. The rocks all had green algea growth on them. After sampling an undisturbed section of the river for turbidity we got a reading of JTU20. We got a Ph reading of 8. Depth was measured at 10”in. for the s. shore, 13”in. in the middle, and 10”in. at the n. shore. We recorded the temperature at an even 68 degree’s Fahrenheit. A dissolved oxygen test was done, and although we did the test according to the directions we got a reading of 0ppm. Finally we calculated the speed of the river we we were to be about 2 ft/sec.
After we concluded our abiotic index we then took a quick look at the biotic life in the river. We used a fine net about 2.5ft wide to catch drifting creatures as one of us stirred up the rocks and gravel up stream. Using this method we Caddisfly larva‘s, dragonfly nymph’s, fingernail clams, and water pennies as well as a few blackfly larva and Non-red Midge Larva. These fell in the Semi-sensitive and Semi-tolerant catigories. We then figured a water quality index of 2.9 based on the invertabrates we found.
All the groups that went out that day collected consistant data leading me to believe our data was correct. Although one reading we got, the dissolved oxygen level of 0ppm should mean that there would...