1. REDUCING OUR FOOTPRINT Unit 3-1b How To Measure Water Quality
Is This Safe To Drink?!?

2. How Is Water Evaluated?
Traditional Water Testing – Uses both chemical and physical tests to evaluate the condition of water
It is beneficial because…
The standards of good water quality are universal
It can quickly determine the exact cause of a disturbance
However it is limited because…
It only checks for specific chemicals or factors
Results can be affected greatly by the weather

3. Make a chart like this: Test What it measures How
Leave some space at the bottom of the page.

4. Traditional Water Tests
Turbidity – Measures the concentration of undissolved particles that make water appear cloudy or murky
Measured with a Secchi disc
or Turbidity tube
Which of these tools would be used to measure turbidity for a stream and which is used for a lake?

5. Traditional Water Tests
Total Dissolved Solids – Measures the concentration of dissolved solids including salt (NaCl) and other substances
pH – Concentration of hydrogen ions (H+); Can indicate acid precipitation in the area
Nitrates & Phosphates – Nutrients that are used in fertilizers & deposited in lakes and bays causing eutrophication
These are all determined using chemical indicators

6. Traditional Water Tests
Dissolved Oxygen – Needed by fish & other organisms; Effected by excessive algae or high temperatures
Sometimes fish come to the surface for air if dissolved oxygen levels are very low!
Biological Oxygen Demand – The BOD measures the amount of oxygen used by bacteria that break down waste (feces) over five days
If the oxygen level drops significantly within five days, describe the bacteria population & their food source.
These are all determined using chemical indicators

7. Traditional Water Tests
Fecal Coliform – A measure of the bacteria released by the decomposition of feces
These bacteria colonies can be cultured in a Petri dish
Change in Temperature – This is measured from distant locations at the site to find variations
Lake Michigan has temperature variations from 40oF – 75oF.

8. Calculating Water Quality
Water Quality Index – The WQI is a score based upon results from nine different chemical & physical tests
Calculating water quality is similar to finding your marking period grade.
Some assignments, like tests, carry more weight and have a greater effect on your average.
The Q-Value for each test shows which tests are most important to the overall health of the ecosystem.
What is the most important factor when evaluating water quality using the WQI?

9. What have you learned in this unit?
Let’s Review… 
What have you learned in this unit?
1. What are the advantages & disadvantages of traditional water testing?
2. How can a powerful storm affect a pond’s WQI score?
4. Explain the causes and effects of eutrophication.
5. Describe the importance of dissolved oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem.

10. REDUCING OUR FOOTPRINT Unit 3-1c Bioassessment Of An Ecosystem

11. What Is Bioassessment?
Bioassessment – Using biological factors to evaluate the health of an ecosystem.
It is beneficial because…
It shows the true biological effects of a disturbance
Recent disturbances can be detected even if the chemical pollutant has disappeared
If a pollutant was dumped in a river three months ago, those chemicals might have washed away but the effects of it on organisms can still be observed.

12. How To Bioassess An Ecosystem
Macroinvertebrates - Species without backbones that are large enough to be seen without a microscope
These include types of insects, worms, and shellfish.
They are collected…
Using a variety of nets
By looking under rocks, near vegetation or in sediment

13. Indicators Of A Healthy Ecosystem
In a healthy North American river you’ll find…
Pollution Sensitive Species Mayfly, Caddisfly, Planaria & Mussels
As more & more of these disappear, you’ll see more…
Pollution Semi-Tolerant Species Dragonfly, Damselfly, Scud & Clams
Pollution Tolerant Species Midge, Mosquito, Leech & Snail

14. Understanding The IBI Score
Index of Biological Integrity - The IBI is a grade for an ecosystem based upon the organisms living there.
Higher populations of pollution-sensitive species will show the water is clean and result in a higher IBI score.
Disadvantage - each test is unique to a specific ecosystem.
New Jersey, Texas & Alaska have different native species, so each needs a different assessment.

15. Hand In Your Student Notes  What have you learned in this unit?
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using bioassessment?
2. Describe how and where macroinvertebrates are collected.
3. Identify three species that can be used to identify water quality.
4. Explain how to determine the IBI Score for a pond or river?