River Monitoring Site #7By: Chris Frick, Derek Novotny, Hanna

Aukerman ,and Miranda Cotter

Hypothesis

Is there anything (chemical or natural) in the water that we need to remove to make it clean so it’s enjoyable for recreational purposes?

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Tests❏ Habitat Assessment❏ Macroinvertebrates Test❏ Total Solids❏ Nitrate❏ Total Phosphates❏ pH❏ Dissolved Oxygen

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❏ Soft bottom stream❏ Little or no pools❏ Lots of vegetation❏ Lots of submerged logs for

macroinvertebrates❏ The flow of the water was calm

Background On Our HabitatD

After adding up all 10 parameters we got a total score of 40/52. Some main things that caused a lower score is:Pool Variability- Score: 1 which means there are small-shallow or no pools at all. These pools can be used as an habitat for many different animals.on-

Riparian Vegetation- Right bank was fine left bank score- 1 meaning the width of the riparian vegetation is less the 20 feet.

Sediment Deposition- Score: 2 meaning that more than half of the bottom affected with major deposits; pools shallow, heavily silted; large deposits may be present on both banks; sediment deposits are an obstruction to the water flow.

Habitat AssessmentD

Background on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

❏ Aquatic Macroinvertebrate means “invertebrate that is big enough to see without microscope” that live in water

❏ Usually are insect larvae or nymph stages that need water to live then grow up and live out of the water

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ID MacroinvertebratesC

Macroinvertebrates Data Collected❏ Group 1: Sensitive to pollutants, we found nothing (Multiplier of

4)❏ Group 2: Semi - sensitive to pollutants, we found 11

macroinvertebrates (Multiplier of 3)❏ Group 3: Semi - tolerant to pollutants, we found 17

macroinvertebrates (Multiplier of 2)❏ Group 4: Tolerant to pollutants, we found 12 macroinvertebrates

(Multiplier of 1)

❏ Each group has different importance to the health of the river so they each have different multipliers to get an index score to show the health of the river

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Health of River Based on Macroinvertebrate Life

Number of Animals in Group 1

0 (x4) 0

Number of Animals in Group 2

11 ( x3) 33

Number of Animals in Group 3

17 (x2) 34

Number of Animals in Group 4

12 (x1) 12

Totals 40 79

❏ 79/40 = 1.975❏ We had an index score of 1.975, which showed that the health of the river was poor

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Background on Total Solids❏ Total Solids is the amount of minerals in the water. (calcium,

nitrogen, iron, sulfur, etc.) ❏ High amount of total solids can lead to lower water quality and

less aquatic life. ❏ These minerals can get trapped in the sediment which is why we

need to dredge it. ❏ The safe amount for humans to consume is 500 mg/L according

to U.S EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Ours was at 4000

mg/L which is very unhealthy.

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Date: 5/16/14Water sample: Site #7Time:10:15amWeather: IndoorsTest: Weight of beaker w/ residue:1 11.5 gramsWeight of empty beaker: 111.1 gramsWeight of residue: .4 gramsQ value: 20Official Reading: 4000 mg/liter

Total Solids D

Background on Nitrates Common Sources-❏ Fertilizer/manure❏ Some Animal Feeds❏ Sludge/ GarbageEffects That High Nitrates Have on Humans-❏ High Nitrate levels can lead to Blue Baby

Syndrome in young infants (Bacteria Disease)❏ High Nitrates can reduce oxygen supply to major

organs

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Nitrates A safe amount- 10 mg/literDate: 5/16/14Test Location: Site #7Time:10:08amWeather: OvercastTests: 1st (.4 mg/liter) 2nd (0 mg/liter)Official reading: .2Q value: 92Since our reading was only.2 we do not need to remove any nitrates.

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Background on Phosphates❏ All living organisms that live in the

water need phosphates to make DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and ATP (Adenosine triphosphate).

❏ Sources include- Human/animal waste, fertilizers, industrial waste.

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Total PhosphatesDate: 5/14/14Test Location: Site #7Time:10:45amWeather: Inside, 70 degreesTests:1st(4) 2nd(4) Official reading: 4Q value: 18

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Background on pH❏ pH is the acidity in the water❏ Water with a 7 pH is considered the middle and

neutral amount. ❏ Water with a 6-0 pH has more acidity.❏ Water thats above a 7 pH has more alkaline or

chemicals.❏ Ours was at an 7 which means its healthy. ❏ Most common source is human waste (oil,

garbage, etc.)

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PH (Acidity)Date: 5/14/14Test Location: Site #7Time: 10:08amWeather: OvercastTests: 1st (7), 2nd (7), 3rd (7).Official reading: 7Q value: 88

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Background on Dissolved Oxygen❏ For drinking purposes, higher levels are better as it taste better❏ Too much can cause a boost in photosynthesis, that can cause

plant overgrowth and eventually that could cause fertilizer run off❏ Below 5 mg, aquatic life is put under stress❏ Below 2 mg, could cause aquatic life death❏ Oxygen enters the water either from photosynthesis from the

plant or from natural spreading from the atmosphere. ( NOAA. com)

❏ Fact: The colder the water

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Dissolved OxygenDate: 5/14/14Test Location: Site #7Time:10:08 amWeather: Overcast Tests: 1) 8 mg/liter= 65% Saturation 2) 6.5 mg/liter= 55% SaturationOfficial reading: 7.25 mg/liter= 60% SaturationQ value: 59

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Water Quality❏ Water Quality is the chemical, physical and

biological of any water. ❏ WQI Value: 32.11❏ Fair Quality❏ www.floridakeys.noaa.gov

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Real Life Example of Solution (Model)

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Solution❏ Many of the things that we need to remove

are contained in the sediment therefore we need to dredge the sediment.

❏ Develop an “Adopt A River” organization to help keep the river clean.

❏ Restrict the use certain fertilizers to insure the health of the river after dredging.

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Covering the CostSince dredging can costs about 150,000 dollars we need to find other ways that we could bring in money.❏ Beaches (Charge Entry Fee)❏ Rent non motorized vehicles (Canoes, Kayaks,

Paddle Boats, Etc.) ❏ The sediment contains minerals that benefit

plants, therefore we could package it and sell it as fertilizer to local stores.

❏ Ask for donations

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❏ Source for nitrates- www.ext.colostate.edu❏ Source for dissolved oxygen-

www.ext.colostate.edu❏ Source for the water quality-

www.floridakeys.noaa.gov

Sources