Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
List the top two things that you would like to learn about in this class.
Citation preview
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
WELCOME!
ON YOUR PAPER… Explain why you chose to take this class. If you did not chose this class, write down how you ended up sitting here today.
IN A NEW PARAGRAPH… List the top two things that you would like to learn about in this class.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS Must have passed Biology Must be willing to get into the
environment (river, dirt, long walks, possible field trips)
Must be able to follow all directions for safety sake.
Must be ready to ask many questions and provide proof with answers!
Must be able to express themselves in front of class (we’ll help you with this!!!)
RIVERS: BACKGROUND INFO Kalamazoo River Watershed Footage of the spill News clip the day of the spill Home video in B C right after spill
UNIT 1: WATER QUALITY Objective: There are numerous factors
that can be measured to determine the quality of the water in natural settings such as lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds.
SAFETY IN RIVER #1 Never enter river without permission #2 Never enter river alone/unsupervised #3 Always wear approved gear #4 Always follow directions immediately
While Wading…-watch for underwater obstructions
-be aware that gravel moves and rocks can be slippery
-take small steps, face upstream in swift current -if you fall, point feet downstream and try to
stand up as soon as you can.
WATER QUALITY TESTING DO: Dissolve Oxygen Fecal Coliform (bacteria that break down
feces) pH BOD: Biochemical Oxygen Demand Temperature Total Phosphorus (organic and inorganic) Nitrates (nitrogen) Turbidity Total Solids (total residue)
NOT A TEST…BUT AN INDICATOR Macro-invertebrates
Caddis flies (3) Stoneflies (3) Mayflies (3) Beetle Larvae (2) Alderflies, Dobsonflies, fishflies Midge (1) Craneflies True flies (blackflies, horseflies, sandflies, no-see-ums,
deerflies, and sewageflies) (1) Dragonfly and damselfly (2) Water Mites Snails (x) Aquatic worms Functional Feeding Groups
WITH YOUR SHOULDER PARTNER.. ..You will have to answer this question at the end of the PowerPoint Presentation…
“What effect, if any, did the Enbridge oil spill have on the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek.”
VIDEO ON TESTING Water quality testing
Clip starts at 2:32
Another clip
TESTING WATER QUALITY DISSOLVED OXYGEN (DO)
High DO levels=high water quality DO levels are a limiting factor to organisms
Example: low levels eliminate pike and trout Sources of DO in rivers
Atmosphere mixing with water in waves/mixing Photosynthetic organisms release oxygen into water
DO users in the rivers All aerobic organisms
Especially bacteria that break down organic matter
Temperature and DO levels Cooler water hold more oxygen
DO CONTINUED… Human-Caused changes in DO
Aerobic bacteria break down dead organic matter and use up DO Fertilizer, agricultural waste, sewage, fecal matter
from farms etc…all lead to an increase in plant and algae growth.
Sampling DO in RiversMid river, mid depth (away from shore)—2-3
minsMust test the water immediately! (no air
bubbles)Wash with water if skin contacts powderSafety goggles required
DO TEST VIDEO
FECAL COLIFORM TESTING Fecal matter in the water is normally
from various sources but usually it is found in dangerous amounts (over 200 colonies/100 mL) due to sewage discharge.
If levels are high it indicates that other disease agents are present that can be pathogenic (cause illness or disease). Typhoid fever, hepatitis, gastroenteritis,
dysentary, and ear infections Can enter body by ingestion, ears, or cuts in
skin
FC TESTING CONTINUED
PH TESTING pH measures the H+ ion concentration. Neutral is 7 Acid is less than 7 and alkaline (base) is
greater than 7. The further away it gets the more acidic or alkaline the sample
Normal pH is 6.5-8.5…most waters are slightly acidic.
Acid rain can be a problem where natural buffers are not present or downwind from sources of acid rain…especially coal burners.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD) Measure of quantity of oxygen demand
used by microorganisms by aerobic organisms. Remember: nutrients such as phosphate and
nitrogen can stimulate plant growth and when they die aerobic bacteria use much oxygen.
Main sources of “Point” Source Organic Matter: Pulp and paper mills Meat packing plants Food processing industries Waste water treatment plants
BOD (CONTINUED) “Nonpoint” Sources
Much harder to identify Rain washing pet waste, lawn fertilizer,
grass clippings, paper etc in urban settings
Rain and melting snow (runoff) carrying nutrients from farmers fields into waterways
Runoff from animal feedlots
BOD CONTINUED…The Test: Collect at least 2 samples of water as you
would in DO tests Run one DO test at sampling time; Set the 2nd sample in the dark at 68 degrees
After 5 days do a DO test on the 2nd sample Determine the BOD level
BOD=mg/1 DO (original sample) – mg/1 DO (after incubation)
BOD is amount of oxygen used in 5 days. With your partner, discuss when accurate BOD
could not be determined
TEMPERATURE The test: If you have to ask, you probably
shouldn’t be in here!
Temperature is related to:The amount of oxygen in the waterThe rate of photosynthesis by algae and
larger plantsMetabolic rate of aquatic organismsThe sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes,
parasites, and disease.
PHOSPHOROUS Organic phosphorous is a part of living
plants and animalsNeeded for plants and metabolic reactions
Plant growth is limited by amount of P known as limiting factor
Algae requires only a little P, so if added, algae blooms are common.
attached algae Algae bloom in river similar in size to Kalamazoo
River Floating Algae
PHOSPHOROUS CONTINUED… Shallow lakes and impoundments are
more susceptible to effects of phosphorous
Waters may become less diverse as less tolerant organisms perish
Way to reduce effects: Eliminate fertilizer run-off into waterways
Buffer between lawn and water Improved phosphorous removal in water
treatment plants, better farming practices, and laws requiring industry to monitor phosphate disposal.
NITRATES Nitrogen in required by all plants and
animals to live. N2 makes up 78% of atmosphere but must be “fixed” for plants to use (remember your Nitrogen Cycle from Biology????) Fixers: blue-green algae, lightning, nitrogen
fixing bacteria found in roots of legumes In NO3, nitrogen can be used. When plants
and animals die, N2 is released back into atmosphere.
Cycle is complete (but really not that simple)
NITRATES CONTINUED… Sources of Nitrates
Inadequately treated wastewater from sewage plants
Illegal sanitary sewer connectionsPoorly functioning septic systems
Results of too much nitrogen:Similar to phosphate:
Increased plant growth leading to less oxygen when plants die and aerobic bacteria break it down.
TURBIDITY The amount of sunlight that passes
through the water Based on the total number of solids in
the water. These can include clay, silt, and plankton as well as industrial wastes and sewage.
With your partner, predict what effect high turbidity would have on any aspect of water quality.
TURBIDITY The test Version 1: The Secchi Disk
Used mainly in lakesWhen disk disappears, depth is notedWith your partner, predict why we couldn’t
use the Secchi Disk in the BC or K-zoo rivers.
Version 2: Color spectrumSample water and compare to a key
Version 3: Electronic Turbidmeter
TOTAL SOLIDS (AKA TOTAL RESIDUE) Measure of dissolved and suspended
solids The Test: In mid-river and mid-flow,
obtain a sample.Remove large floating particles or
submerged masses from the sampleMass a clean 300 mL beakerEvaporate 100 mL of the sample water in a
300 mL beaker Compare mass of 300 mL beaker before and
after to find mass of total solids.
RIVER QUALITY: SO WHAT? Background Info: “Day 1”….Take Two!
Importance of Water Quality
Please take notesYou can use notes on any quiz
