Transcript Macros APES 1 10

Stream Monitoring Research 2010
a Biological Study of Macroinvertebrates in the Leibert Creek
By Kevin, Chris, Alex, Brittney and Gianni
Procedure
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Use nets to collect macroinvertebrates from the stream.
Identify each macroinvertebrate using a key and create a table to
summarize data.
Use different indexes to calculate the amount of pollutants in the
stream.
http://www.birkey.com/uploads/Toxic-Testing.jpg
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/documents/images/unit5_lesson1_macroinvertibrate_key.gif
http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/clipart/images/CRITTER/large/PlanariaOrFlatworm.jpg
Data
http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/images/invertebrates/physellasp_web.jpg
Organism
N
Ti
Tv
Flatworm
1
6.0
6
Sowbug
8
6.0
48
Scud
20
4.0
80
Dragonfly
5
4.5
22.5
Narrowwinged Damselfly
6
5.5
33
Mayfly Minnow
Siphlonuridae
3
7.0
21
Swimming Mayfly Baetidae
2
4.0
8
Other Mayfly
7
3.0
21
Hydropsychid Caddisfly
9
5.5
49.5
Non-Hydropsychid Caddisfly
9
3.5
31.5
Water Penny Beetle
6
4.0
24
Crane Fly
2
4.0
8
Left-Handed Snail
2
9.0
18
TOTALS
80
370.5
TAXA = 13
∑N
∑Tv
Family Index or MBI
=∑Tv / ∑N
=370.5/80
=4.631
http://www.mightystreamradio.com/PHOTOS/STREAM%20PHOTO%202.jpg
This tests water quality using the sample density
and the tolerance of each species of
macroinvertebrate.
Index of Biotic Integrity
 Parameter
Species Richness
• Between 11 and 18
 EPT Index
• Between 2 and 5
 % Dominant Species
• <30%
 Total
 Impact Rating
Score

6
6
24
Good
12
Sample Richness
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This tests the diversity of the species found.
>26 = non-impacted
19-26 = slightly impacted
11-18 = moderately impacted
<11 = severely impacted
Number of Species = 13
This shows that the stream has been moderately impacted by
pollutants.
http://www.nzfreshwater.org/pictures/macroinvertebrate_collage.jpg
EPT Index
 This index uses the number of mayflies, stoneflies and
caddisflies to determine how impacted a stream is.
 Number of flies = 5
 Status of Stream = moderately impacted
Stonefly
Mayfly
Caddisfly
http://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mayfly20nymph.jpg
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/stonefly.gif
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/fc.caddisfly.jpg
Percent Dominant Species
 Divide the number of the most common species by the total
number of the sample.
 (20/80) = .25
 .25*100 = 25%
 <30% indicates that the stream is not impacted.
http://www.nwnature.net/macros/col_river/images/IMG_3367.jpg
Analysis
2 Evaluate the quality of the stream, based on the macroinvertebrate index results.
The quality of the stream seems to be fair to good. One reason we concluded this is based on the
large variety of macroinvertebrates we found, especially since we found high numbers of most
species. Another reason we think the quality of the stream is good is the fact that many of the
species we discovered are known generally as good indicator species. These organisms,
specifically caddisflies and mayflies, were found in high numbers in the Leibert creek.
http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/Rain.jpg
Analysis Cont.
3. Do you think acid precipitation affects this stream? Why or why not?
Acid precipitation may affect the stream, but it is not a prevailing pollutant. When looking at the
different groups of macroinvertebrates, we noticed many mayflies and caddisflies. These different
macros are not extremely tolerant to acidity in water. This lead to the conclusion that acid
precipitation is not a huge pollutant in the stream.
Other possible causes of pollutants could be slight
Industrial problems or agriculture. Ways to reduce
Pollution in this stream could include more regulation
Of the stream and higher enforcement laws.
http://www.theacidhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/acid_med1.jpg
Works Cited
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"Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrates." Maryland Department of Natural
Resources. 6 May 2004. Web. 07 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/pubs/freshwater.html>;.
Dangles, Olivier J., and François A. Guérold. HYDROBIOLOGIA. 1st ed. Vol. 418.
Netherlands: Springer. Print
"Effects of Acid Rain: Lakes & Streams." D. W. Brooks Site. Web. 08 Nov. 2010.
<http://dwb4.unl.edu/Chem/CHEM869V/CHEM869VLinks/www.epa.gov/airmar
kets/acidrain/effects/surfacewater.html>.
The End