Student Worksheet

Materials:

Student Worksheet (optional) Water Sampling Tests Fieldbook Downloadable version: fieldbook.pdf - fieldbook.doc

Instructions:
Using the results you found from the last activity, please complete the following sections in the order listed below. Note that you will need to reference the Water Sampling Fieldbook to determine whether or not the Test Kit results fall into the acceptable range for good quality.

1. Analyze the Test Kits' Results
   1. Water Temperature
      1. What was the water temperature? ____ ºC
          
   2. pH
      1. What was the pH level? ______
      2. What is the acceptable range for good water quality?
      3. Does your reading fall into that level?
          
   3. Dissolved Oxygen:
      1. What was the DO level? ______ppm
      2. What is the acceptable range for good water quality?
      3. Does your reading fall into that level?
          
   4. Based on the above tests, would you consider the water quality to be:
      

      GOOD

      FAIR

      POOR

      NOTE: Please circle your answer.

       
2. Analyze the Macroinvertebrate Results
   1. How many types of macroinvertebrates did you find in the SENSITIVE to pollution range? _______
   2. How many types of macroinvertebrates did you find in the SOMEWHAT pollution tolerant? _______
   3. How many types of macroinvertebrates did you find in the TOLERANT to pollution? _________
   4. Based on the type and amount of macroinvertebrates you found (i.e. if you found a lot of organisms SENSITIVE to pollution, SOMEWHAT pollution tolerant, or TOLERANT to pollution), would you consider the water quality to be:

      GOOD

      FAIR

      POOR

      NOTE: Please circle your answer.

       
3. Synthesize your Results
   1. In order to survive, do you think a macroinvertebrate that is SENSITIVE to pollution prefers higher or lower levels of Oxygen in the water? Why?
   2. How would this be different for macroinvertebrates that are SOMEWHAT pollution tolerant? and TOLERANT to pollution? Why?
   3. Keeping these answers in mind, does the Dissolved Oxygen data you collected support the types and amount of macroinvertebrates you found?
   4. Can you make a water quality determination based on the test kit data and the macroinvertebrates you found? Please explain your answer.
       
4. Make a General Water Quality Determination
   Using both the test kit data results and the macroinvertebrate analysis, how would you rate the fresh water body that you tested?
   

   GOOD

   GOOD to FAIR

   FAIR

   FAIR to POOR

   POOR

   NOTE: Please circle your answer.

5. Submit your Results
   Submit your water sampling data to the Project Data section of this web site.
   NOTE: Please consult the Project Instructions if you have any questions or concerns regarding the deadline.