For4 wk4 env310 dqs

1.Macroinvertebrate sampling is the primary method used by aquatic ecologists to measure the “health” of an aquatic ecosystem (e.g., lake, stream, river, wetland). Do some research on this type of sampling and how it is used. Find an article or web site that you like and share it with the class by providing a summary of it here. Why did you choose this site/article? Why is macroinvertebrate sampling used here? What specifically does this type of sampling tell us? Relate your discussion to course readings.

Remember to cite the source of your article/website with a complete reference citation in APA style so that you credit the source properly.

Respond to at least two of your classmates threads with meaningful discussion on the topic of water science and the article presented. Please review the grading rubric for the Forum, available in Lessons to make sure you have presented substantial academic discussion in the forum.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words with text book, peer reviewed, websites references/citations

2.The article that I decided to write about is from the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP), “Macroinvertebrate Sampling,”  I found this article very useful in their information on this topic and it had a lot of great information and resources provided with macroinvertebrates.  Aquatic macroinvertebrates are organisms that do not have a backbone for example, worms, insects, crayfish, snails, leeches, etc. that live in different types of bodies of water. (Hadley, 2014)  Ecologists takes samples from those organisms to assess the water quality like pollution, disturbance to the area, wetland structure, and hydrology. (Helgen, 2014)  These organisms are primarily sampled because they are easy to collect from the water and they stay in one area making it easy and reliable to get accurate information these organisms are also found all over the country.  It is important to sample these organisms to find out what is in the water.

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If the water quality is bad than it can lead to drastic and harmful changes to animals, plants, and even humans.  Samples are taken by ecologists by they take a net and sweep it in the water near the vegetation so that they can collect more than one type of macroinvertebrates. Once they catch of some type of macroinvertebrates they put it in a container.   A bottletrap is also used to collect some species that are swimming in the water.  The bottletrap is submerged on a mounted dowel.  The dowel is submerged 6 inches in the water.  The samples should be taken during June and July due to their size at that time is easy to identify and you can monitor how long they have lived in that certain area for. (Helgen, 2014)Candice

What do you think? Post should be at least 250 words with text book, peer reviewed, websites references/citations

3.Macro invertebrate sampling is being used in Pennsylvania in order to determine if the Marcellus Shale Gas Development is directly impacting surface water quality. Macro invertebrates are extremely susceptible to changes in water, and scientists can use their presence to determine if there is a pollution in their ecosystem. Because they spend most of their life cycle in water, macro invertebrates cannot easily escape water quality changes or pollution. ( IEER, 2012).

Each Macro invertebrate is either pollution-intolerant or pollution sensitive. The number of species in an area of water can determine pollution issues, as well as low oxygen concentrations, pH levels increase in nitrates and phosphates and salinity. (IEER, 2012). Good water quality can be measured by Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Water Pennies, because they all need a high oxygen concentration to survive; while Leeches and aquatic worms are an indicator of low oxygen levels.

These macro invertebrates are collected by disruption of rocks and silt at the bottom of the stream or river. The macro invertebrates will then be carried downstream and collected by D-frame nets. Once the samples are collects, they are sifted and bagged. (IEER, 2012). Scientists can also test the macro invertebrates toxicology to locate any increase of toxins in the water.

Because the Marcellus Shale Gas Development is located close to the stream being sampled, scientists can test these macro invertebrates and the environmental impacts can be analyzed. Along with this sampling, chemical water quality analysis is also being used in order to test the pollution.

I chose this article, because it gave good examples of the types of macro invertebrates that are found in oxygen rich and oxygen deprived water. The article didn’t give the actual test results or indications that the Marcellus Shale Gas Development was actually causing pollution, so I dug a little deeper. In October, 2011 researchers found an increase of bromide in drinking water, after the Marcellus wells had been dug. Bromide is not harmful to humans alone, but when chlorine is added (through water treatment) the compound can yield cancer-causing components. (Legere, 2011).Shannon

What do you think? Post should be at least 250 words with text book, peer reviewed, websites references/citations

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