Introduction

The goal of this field research was to first, see how healthy the water in the Coquitlam river and is and second, see how it connects to the spheres of the earth. This connects to our studies of the spheres because water travels through all spheres. We looked at the biotic and abiotic elements that contribute to the biomes of the pond and river, such as nutrient measurements in the water using a water quality index and the living organisms that inhabit these environments. we used these two results to see and compare how good the water quality is.

Coquitlam river

To get the chemical values for the water quality index we put a stick in the water which indicates some of the values

Our measured values of the Coquitlam river is as follows

1. Dissolved oxygen – 92% saturation – Q-value 95 – Weighted-Q21.65
2. pH – 6.5units – Q-value 70 – Weighted-Q10.5
3. Temperature change – 11-10=1°C – Q-value 88 – Weighted-Q12.32
4. Nitrates – 20mg/L NO3 – Q-value 38 – Weighted-Q5.32
5. Phosphates – 0.4 mg/L PO4 – Q-value 76 – Weighted-Q10.64
6. Turbidity – 2NTU – Q-value 97 – Weighted-Q10.67
7. Total dissolved salts – 50mg/L – Q-value 87  – Weighted-Q8.7

Approximate water quality index : 80

The water in the Coquitlam river is healthy, although it could still be better. It is a water source accepted by most animals and plants.

For the biotic part of this research, we put a net in the river and scrubbed the rocks in front of the net for the invertebrates to flow into the net.

In the river we found a few invertebrates. Specifically,

2 types of mayflies,

A caddisfly

A alderfly larva

Both mayflies and caddisflies in the river indicates that the water quality is good as they are very sensitive to water pollution and only lives in healthy water. The Alderfly larva means the water is above moderate quality but as mayflies and caddisflies are already there indicating good quality we can say for sure that the river is in good quality.

Oxbow pond

For the pond we used the same chemical stick as in the river

Our measured values of the Pond is as follows

1. Dissolved oxygen – 90% saturation – Q-value 92 – Weighted-Q21.16
2. pH – 7units – Q-value 88 – Weighted-Q13.2
3. Temperature change – 15-14.3=0.7°C – Q-value 91 – Weighted-Q13.74
4. Nitrates – 0mg/L NO3 – Q-value 98 – Weighted-Q13.72
5. Phosphates – 5 mg/L PO4 – Q-value 13 – Weighted-Q1.82
6. Turbidity – 8NTU – Q-value 80 – Weighted-Q8.8
7. Total dissolved salts – 100mg/L – Q-value 85  – Weighted-Q8.5

Approximate water quality index : 79.94

The water in the Oxbow pond is similarly to the river, in good health. It supports a variety of life but can still be improved.

For the invertebrates in the pond we took a net, placed it under a log on the water, then gently tapped the log for the invertebrates to fall into the net

In the pond we found

A water boatmen

A dragonfly

And a tiny fish

Dragonflies indicates moderate or above water quality, and unfortunately we don’t know the sensitivity of water boatmen and the fish. Therefore, we know that the quality isn’t poor. however,  it could be either good or moderate.

Comparing testing methods

The results of the Coquitlam river from the 2 ways of testing is very similar.

The results of the pond is a bit different as we couldn’t find any invertebrates to prove that the pond is in good quality.

Comparing the 2 sites

The final results from the 2 sites are very similar for the chemical test. The specific tests that have significant differences is Nitrates, Phosphates, Turbidity and total dissolved salts.

For the invertebrate test, the creatures we found in the river proved that the river is health while in the pond it proved it was moderate or above. another find was the invertebrates in the river generally smaller then the ones in the pond

Reflection

Doing this research was a fun experience, we got to go into the River and pond, learn how to identify invertebrates, and use the water quality index. Unfortunately some of the results in the water quality index test were from 5 years ago therefore the results may not be accurate. Overall I liked the water quality index test better because it is certain, unlike the invertebrate test where even if you don’t get any if the most sensitive invertebrates there is still the possibility of it being a healthy body of water.