Water Quality Coaches Workshop KAREN LANCOUR & C. Robyn Fischer sonic.org 2013 Adapted from the PowerPoint developed by KAREN LANCOUR & C. Robyn Fischer sonic.org 2013

 Ecology Content – 2014 – Part 1 – Estuary and Marine Ecology – Part 2 – Coral Reef Ecology – Part 3 – Water Monitoring and Analysis  Process skills in data, graph and diagram analysis  Event parameters – check the event parameters in the rules for resources allowed.

– Aquatic Ecology in Marine/Estuary Environments – Aquatic Food Chains and Webs – Population Dynamics – Community Interactions – Nutrient Recycling – Water Cycle – Threats to Marine & Estuary Water Quality

 water  salinity  light  pressure  temperature  dissolved gases  pH  tides  currents  waves  substratum  nutrient supply  exposure to air

The oceans consist of (by mass):  96.5% water  3.0% sodium and chlorine ions (table salt, Na + and Cl – )  0.5% other salts

Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. May be inverted due to size of individuals Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level. Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories.

 Oil spills and their ecological disasters  Marine dumping of wastes – plastic and other wastes  Dredging Wastes  Overfishing  Ocean acidification reducing calcium carbonate  Population displacement  Mangrove Destruction  Bycatch – marine wildlife unintentionally caught as sea turtles, porpoises, albatross, crabs, starfish & fish  Whaling is still a problem though strides are being make

 Marine Pollution  Habitat Destruction  Overfishing and Exploitation  Climate Change  Sea Temperature Rise  Ocean Acidification  Invasive Species  Ocean Dead Zones

The areas of water and shoreline where a freshwater stream or river merges with the ocean Estuaries can be partially enclosed body of water (such as bays, lagoons, sounds or sloughs) where two different bodies of water meet and mix They often are bordered by salt marshes or intertidal mudflats Salinity varies within the estuary from nearly fresh water to ocean water

Estuaries can be classified according to their water circulation: The amount of circulation affects the salt distribution and salinity concentrations salt-wedge fjord slightly stratified salt-wedge fjord slightly stratified vertically mixed freshwater vertically mixed freshwater

 Of the 32 largest cities in the world, 22 are located on estuaries  Many animal species rely on estuaries for nesting and breeding  Most of the fish and shellfish eaten in the United States, including salmon, herring, and oysters, complete at least part of their life cycles in estuaries  Estuaries filter out sediments and pollutants from rivers and streams before they flow into the ocean, providing cleaner waters for humans and marine life  Humans also rely on estuaries for recreation, jobs, and even our homes  Coastal development, introduction of invasive species, over fishing, dams, and global climate change have led to a decline in the health of estuaries, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth

 oyster reefs  kelp forests  rocky and soft shorelines  submerged aquatic vegetation  coastal marshes  mangroves forests  deep-water swamps and riverine forests  mud flats  tidal streams  barrier beaches  salt marshes

Salinity, temperature, water levels and light levels vary along the length of an estuary  shutting up shells, digging borrows and excretion of excess salts  fish maintain water balance by actively drinking salt water  increasing their respiratory water flow and increase oxygen consumption  mechanisms to deal with high energy winds and waves  most efficient tree is low, with numerous crowded branches  the tree may include flattening of the trunk, root and branches in a plan parallel to the wind direction

 Too many nutrients  Pathogens  Toxic chemicals  Habitat loss  Invasive Species  Changes in water flow

Examine coral reefs and the effects of pollution on reef ecosystems Topics that may be included are:  coral reef biology  growth and reproduction  zooxanthellae  reef fish communities  reef ecosystem  health indicators  the importance of coral reefs  problems associated with pollution  management of reef systems

Stony corals are the major reef architects. These small marine animals, (individual organisms are called polyps), produce a hard skeleton made of calcium carbonate, which they extract from the seawater and combine with CO 2 for limestone Other reef building organisms include fire corals, blue & pipe corals, coralline algae, tropical reef worms

 First stage of the coral’s life cycle is planulae larvae, which allows it to be free swimming.  Second stage of its life is polyp which is when the coral is stuck to a rock.  In the polyp stage, it is able to reproduce,  either asexual - involves the splitting of a coral (called fission) or sprouting another coral from itself (called budding).  sexually (with another polyp)  involves a cycle of:  SPAWNING >> FERTILIZING >> PLANULAE LARVAE SETTLEMENT >> CLONING

 Coral Polyp provides a home for the zooxanthellae, it provides nitrates and phosphates, and it gives off CO 2  Zooxanthellae, a dinoflagellate carries out photosynthesis and make oxygen and food for the polyp through photosynthesis, gain nutrients from the corals nitrogen and phosphorus wastes, and provide for most of the colors for the coral in the reef making them look like underwater gardens

 Solid structure for the base with a hard substrate for attachment  Warm water temperatures > 20°C (68°F) and oceanic salinities  High Light Levels  Clear waters with high water transparency  Low nutrient waters - low in phosphate and nitrogen nutrients  Good water circulation with moderate wave action to disperse wastes and bring oxygen and plankton to the reef

 Shore or inner reef zone - area is between the crest and the shoreline-full of life including fishes, sea cucumbers, starfish, and anemones.  Crest reef zone - highest point of the reef and where the waves break over the reef.  Fore or outer reef zone - As the reef wall falls off, the waters get calmer. Around 30 feet deep, will be the most populated part of the reef along with lots of different types of coral species.

Coral reefs are inhabited by thousands of species including:  Algae  Sponges  Soft corals  Sea slugs  Urchins and star fish  Worms  Crabs and lobster  Snails  Clams, scallops, and barnacles  Fish  Sea turtles  Sharks and rays

Reef Check 20Check%20Report.pdf/RC_report_FINAL_2.pdf Reef Check 20Check%20Report.pdf/RC_report_FINAL_2.pdf 20Check%20Report.pdf/RC_report_FINAL_2.pdf 20Check%20Report.pdf/RC_report_FINAL_2.pdf Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network- reefs-of-the-world-2008/ Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network- reefs-of-the-world-2008/ reefs-of-the-world-2008/ reefs-of-the-world-2008/ reefs-of-the-world/ reefs-of-the-world/ reefs-of-the-world/ reefs-of-the-world/

Marine Apex Predators Biomass Average Catch Length Coral Cover Indicator Organisms

Chemical pollutants Chemical pollutants Excess nutrients Excess nutrients Sedimentation Sedimentation Coral bleaching Coral bleaching Coral diseases Coral diseases Climate change and ocean acidification Climate change and ocean acidification Overfishing Overfishing

Fisheries regulation Marine protected areas Coastal zoning The problem of ecosystem phase-shifts (when corals die and area is taken over by algae, it achieves a new steady state and is very difficult for corals to re-colonize)

 Understand and interpret data related to testing procedures and purposes for water testing (No actual testing)  Build and demonstrate a salinometer capable of testing saltwater (1-10%)

Salinity - only actual testing with salinometer Salinity - only actual testing with salinometer Temperature Temperature Aragonite Saturation - for marine esp. coral reefs Aragonite Saturation - for marine esp. coral reefs pH pH Turbidity – Light Saturation in marine environments Turbidity – Light Saturation in marine environments Dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) Phosphates Phosphates Nitrates Nitrates Total solids Total solids Fecal Coliform Fecal Coliform Their relationship to one another– note: the Water Quality Index used for freshwater does not apply to marine regions have their own marine water quality index Their relationship to one another – note: the Water Quality Index used for freshwater does not apply to marine regions have their own marine water quality index.

Hydrometer Hydrometer calibrated to read in % of salt concentration Materials Materials –  soda straw  modeling clay  a fine-tipped permanent marker  a tall clear container to hold the solution for calibrating your device  salt for mixing one or more standard solutions  water (tap water will work-distilled is better)

High tech glass hydrometer Ball of clay attached to a common plastic straw