Our class decided to go on a nature walk to explore both the Coquitlam River and the Oxbow Pond which were behind the school. Our objective for this assignment was not only to explore, but also compare them. We were all divided into separate groups that consisted of around 3-4 people to investigate. First, we had to send one person with a hip wader and life jacket to fill the vial with the sample of water and use the thermometer to check the temperature of the air and the water in different areas. This would ensure that he would be safer and not let his or her clothes become wet. While he or she was doing that, we would be writing down the data about the Coquitlam River and the Oxbow Pond.
During that same day we had to move into the second phase which is to find out how contaminated the water is. After our classmate filled the vial with water, we would proceed to use the test strips to accomplish that task. We simply held the test strip into the water for about 1 minute and let it rest at the top of the vile. Next, we had to match the coloured boxes on the test strip to the sheet on the container which would discover the levels of nitrite, nitrate, hardness, carbonate and pH. After when that was all complete, we head back and continue gathering data on the next day.
(Oxbow Pond)
Finding invertebrates was the number one priority for us the next day. To make that possible, we had to send one brave subject to perform that task. That would involve using a net to scoop up leaves or other objects that organisms would be lurking on. Then placing them into a bucket filled with water so they can be in captive for the time being and taking photos of those invertebrates to gain evidence. Once we had done this for the Coquitlam River, we would do the exact same procedure for the Oxbow Pond all over again. Therefore, I summarized all the procedures we had to do when were participating in this assignment.
Now, I will explain what was the weather and water were like from our perspectives. When we reached to the Oxbow Pond, the weather had no rain, light breeze in the air, and partly cloudy. However, the odor of the water smelled like rotten eggs, the colour was gray or brownish, and the clarity of the water was turbid. The canopy cover was seemingly open and clear because there were not that many trees towering over the pond. For our expedition on the Coquitlam River, there were no rain, light breeze in the air, and a clear sky. The water had no odor apparent, was greenish, and the clarity of the water was slightly turbid.
Here was how the Coquitlam River was like from our location near Riverside. The riparian zone was essentially composed of pathways, trails, and trees. The land use for the Coquitlam River would be for Riverside, fishing, and possibly swimming. When we were there the bank stability and erosion was straight, steady, and moving smoothly. For the stream channel, branches and logs were visible on the Coquitlam River. The substrate or Water body bottom of the Coquitlam River were leaves, mud, rocks, and gravel. In conclusion, that was how the Coquitlam River looked like from when first saw it.
This was what the Oxbow Pond was like from our location near Riverside. For the land use, I don’t think there’s a lot for it because of how contaminated the Oxbow Pond is. The riparian zone was composed of trails and trees. What was interesting was that for the bank stability and erosion, the grass was falling apart as if they were drowning in the water. The substrate was mostly leafs, branches, and mud. When we filled the Oxbow Pond water into the vial, we could see minerals and particles within it, compared to the Coquitlam River’s vial which seem to have clear water. In the end, the Oxbow Pond was murkier and more contaminated than the Coquitlam River.
Chemicals within the water
The Coquitlam River had an average air temperature of 13.5 Degrees Celsius and an average water temperature of 10 Degrees Celsius. The Oxbow pond had an average air temperature of 13.5 Degrees Celsius as well and an average water temperature of 12.5 Degrees Celsius. The Coquitlam River had an average pH level of 6.5, a nitrate level of 0, a nitrite level of 0.5, a hardness level of 30, and a carbonate level of 30 as well. The Oxbow Pond had an average level of 6.5, a nitrate level of 20, a nitrite level of 0.5, a hardness level of 45, and an average carbonate level of 60. Thus, that was the chemical analysis of both the Coquitlam River and Oxbow Pond.
The invertebrates/organisms we found
Here are all the invertebrates and organisms we have found in both water environments in the entire class. In the Coquitlam River we discovered a lot of water striders, two unidentified bug with wings, and unidentified fishes. Unfortunately, we were not able to find any noticeable salmon in the Coquitlam River because they were currently in the open ocean. In the Oxbow Pond we were able to discover more organisms than before. We found a Dragonfly nymph, a riffle beetle, a damsel fly, a leech, and a rainbow trout. Overall, we were able to find a greater variety of organisms in the Oxbow Pond than the Coquitlam River.
(Unidentified bug with wings)
(Coquitlam River)
(Unidentified bug with two arms)
(Oxbow Pond)
(Water strider)
(Coquitlam River)
(Unidentified green bug with wings)
(Oxbow pond)
To summarize, I believe that this was a fun and great way to learn about our local watershed and water quality. This was an interesting assignment to do because it requires you to be outside and be active so you could contribute of what you can do in groups. As opposed to being inside our classroom and just finding the invertebrates on a piece of paper. We explored the different water qualities of both the Coquitlam River and Oxbow Pond by using the test strips and thermometers. As well seeing new invertebrates and organisms with my very own eyes that I learned that exists near Riverside. The nature walks were exciting which made me more engaged to learn and find out that the Oxbow Pond was much more polluted, also contaminated than the Coquitlam River. Through this entire adventure, this was an awesome assignment to do, and I hope to do something just as fun like this in the future.