By: Charlize J

Introduction

What was the object of our field studies?

The object of our field studies was to analyze the health of our Coquitlam River and Oxbow pond. Also, to analyze the invertebrates that live in the bodies of water.

How does it connect to our study of the 4 spheres?

The 4 spheres are connected because the 4 spheres have a big impact on the health of our watershed. The atmosphere helps keep the waters temperature and adds oxygen to the water. Also, the biosphere is a big part of the health because plants and animals keep the water healthy by adding oxygen to the water, nitrogen and phosphate. The hydrosphere adds rain water to the watershed adding dissolved salt, the hydrosphere is also important because of the water cycle. In the geosphere there is phosphate, water and nitrogen in the soil helping the nature and creatures around and in the watershed. This is how the 4 spheres are connected to our field studies.

What does the water quality index tell us about the health of the river?

The water quality in Coquitlam River tell us that there is high diversity in life. Coquitlam River has index of 85, therefore it has “good” health. We know that the water is healthy because 92 dissolved oxygen is in the water, that there is a low dissolved salt count of 50, and the turbidity is very low only at 2. This means that the water is very healthy for life that live in the Coquitlam River.

What does the invertebrate community tell us about the health of the river?

The invertebrate community tell us about the Coquitlam River, is that having mayfly nymphs is a great sign because mayfly’s only like to live in good quality water. This is how invertebrate tell you about the health of the water.

What does the water quality index tell us about the health of the pond?

The health of the Oxbow pond is at a 69 index this tells us that it is “average”. There is not as many aquatic organisms that can grow in this water. Turbidity is 8 which means that the water is very hazy, therefore there is little amount of light shinning through. Nitrate count is 20 this is above the normal amount of nitrates in water, this can be toxic. The total dissolved salt is 100, this will make other living thing be extremely hard to live. This is how the index tells us about the Oxbow pond.

What does the invertebrate community tell us about the health of the pond?

The invertebrate community tell us about the health of the pond because dragonfly’s and beetle larva are both in fair water quality. When snails like to live in any quality of water. This tells us that the water quality is fair.

Comparing the 2 sites.

How do the water quality and invertebrate life in the river and pond compare?

The water quality and invertebrate life in the river compared to the pond is that the river has mayfly nymphs, and mayfly nymphs only like to live in good water quality. When the pond has dragon fly’s and beetle larva that means the pond only has fair water quality.

What are the similarities/differences?

The similarities are that the pond and river both have living organisms in the water. The differences are that the water quality are different, there are different invertebrate that live in the water and the nitrates, phosphate and dissolved salt are very high compared to the river. in the river there is also salmon fry and tadpoles.

How do you think water quality is related to the diversity and number of invertebrate found in a water way?

I think that the diversity and numbers of invertebrate found in water shows better water quality because it shows that there is more of a diversity in life. In the river there is also other living organisms such as salmon fry and tadpoles. Therefore the water quality is related to invertebrate.

Conclusion

What do you think of these activities?

I think that these activities would have been very fun if I could have experienced them in class.

What did you learn?

I learned that you should always test your water before because you never know if it is healthy. Also, I learned that there are many living things that live in a watershed. These, are somethings that I learned.

What would make these activities more meaningful?

These activity would be more meaningful if I was capable to do the field studies in person. This will make it more meaningful because then I will be able to relate to this activity better.