S.+Ryan

Procedure

Part One: On September 10th, period 8, we began our stream analysis. To find the macroinvertebrates, we used hip wader boots and went into the stream with kick nets. We put the nets downstream and kicked mud and rocks toward them, and collected the mud and rocks. We then sifted through the mud and rocks and discovered the macroinvertabrates, and cataloged them using the macroinvertabrate key.

Part Two: On September 22nd, Period 8, we returned to the stream to test the stream for nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, the pH level, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and coliform bacteria. We then took the tests back to class and completed and logged the results.

Materials:

· Chemical kits · Hip waders · Kick nets · Turbidity tube · Macroinvertabrate key · Tweezers · Gloves

Results: Macroinvertabrates
 * Macroinvertabrates || Number Found || Tolerance to Pollution ||
 * Caddisfly || 24 || Sensitive ||
 * Mayfly || 1 || Sensitive ||
 * Riffle Beetle || 3 || Sensitive ||
 * Stonefly || 7 || Sensitive ||
 * Water Penny || 1 || Sensitive ||
 * Dragonfly || 1 || Somewhat sensitive ||
 * Scud || 2 || Somewhat sensitive ||
 * Leech || 1 || Tolerant ||
 * Total Index Value=23 ||||  ||

Water Quality Tests Analysis/Conclusions In conclusion, the results determine that the Pocono Creek is healthy, due to there being many macroinvertebrates that are sensitive to pollution, and the water tests bringing back results, of which most were in the acceptable range.
 * Test || Results || Acceptable Ranges ||
 * pH || 7.7 || 6.5-8.2 ||
 * Alkalinity || 22 ppm || 100-200 ppm ||
 * Nitrate-Nitrogen || 1 ppm || >1 ppm ||
 * Dissolved O2 || 10 ppm || 8-15 ppm ||
 * Phosphate || 0.2 ppm || >0.03 ||