In the past few weeks, we have been studying the Coquitlam River and the Oxford pond in the backyard. this school to determine whether the water quality was good or poor. This connects to our 4 sphere studies, because all of the spheres interact in some way or another; so if one sphere, such as the hydrosphere here is good, then it has a good effect on all of the other spheres as well.  

The Coquitlam River

On our first field studies, we went out to the Coquitlam River and the Oxbow pond to measure the water quality. Two of us from the class volunteered to wear a weigher and enter the river and pond. At the river, we measure the water temperature and brought water samples back to measure the pH and the nitrates level. For the rest, our teacher gave us the numbers. once we had the measures, we used a sheet to determine the water quality. this is the picture. 

In our second field study, we travelled to the river, with two volunteers from groups formed in the class, and caught invertebrates to study whether or not the creatures living there agreed with the chemistry test we did with the water. We found

• Stoneflies x6
• Mayflies x4
• Caddisfly larvae x1
• Rifle beetles x1
• Dragonfly nymph x1

We captured these invertebrates by facing upstream and scrubbing rocks underwater in front of a net. if any creatures were clinging on to them, they would fall and get caught in the net. Don’t worry, we released the little creatures back into the river so they can live a little longer. 

Our results

As I already said, We did the chemical test first. on our paper worksheet, we averaged out about 71. which means it was good water. 0-25 is poor, 26-50 is fair, 51-70 is average, 71-90 is good, and 91-100 is excellent.

as you can see in our worksheet (picture listed above), we got 73 ish. which means that it was good water.

Like I said earlier, we Got some Stoneflies and Mayflies, which are pollution-sensitive invertebrates. This indicates that the Water has good quality and that the Biotic and Abiotic factors agree that the water has good quality.

Here is the reference sheet we used to identify the invertebrates.

Oxbow Pond

Just like for the river, when we went out for our first field studies we also got some water samples from the pond. Just like the river, we had the same two people that took the water samples from the river, take the water samples from the pond. I was one of the two people, and we got some good pictures.

Later, when we brought the water samples back, we did the same chemical tests on the pond water as the river water. just like the river, at the pond, we measured the water temperature at the site and measured the pH level and the nitrates level with the sample we brought back. Our teacher also gave us the rest of the numbers just like the river. Here are our calculations.

In our third field study, we went out to capture the invertebrates that live in the pond. This time, we had seven groups of four and had two people from each group collect these invertebrates. Here are some pictures.

We found these creatures in and around the water:

• Fish x7
• Gilled snails x4
• Scud
• Water mite
• Water boatmen x9
• Caddisfly
• Damselfly larvae x2
• Tadpole x3
• Stick bug x2
• Mayfly x2
• Dragonfly larvae
• Rifle beetle
• Watersnipe larvae
• Gastropoda (snail) x3
• Dragonfly adult
• Ladybug adult
• Chipmunk

Our results:

Just like the river water, when we got the results for the water, we got 71.3, which means it was just right above the line in between fair and good. The caddisfly and the mayfly which are pollution sensitive suggest that the water is also good quality. All of the other invertebrates are fairly pollution tolerant, not pollution tolerant.

Difference and similarities

Well, both of the waters, the oxbow pond and the mid-reach section of the Coquitlam river both have pretty good water. They both had pollution-sensitive invertebrates and had clear water. They both had around the same temperatures, which were 15-17 degrees celsius, and had similar levels of pH which were 6, and 6.5; however, the pond had more of a diverse amount of species of invertebrates, where the river only had a little. This makes it clear, that it is much easier for aquatic creatures to live in still water than running water like a river.

My reflection

I liked this project. I never really get to go out and hang out outside, so. I was excited every time our teacher said we would go out for the field studies. It was also pretty good exercise walking there and back. In this field study, I learnt that A mid-reach of a river has around the same water quality as a pond, and that flowing water is safer to drink since there are fewer living creatures in it; the pond water/still water has more invertebrates living in it. I also learnt that the water around our school has quite good quality water, and has around the same types of invertebrates.