Environmental Inquiry Stream Health Connections to NGSS

MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that shows changes to physical or biological components of how an ecosystem affects populations. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about changes in populations, and on evaluating empirical evidence supporting arguments about changes to ecosystems.] HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales. [Clarification Statement: Examples of mathematical representations include finding the average, determining trends, and using graphical comparisons of multiple sets of data.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to the provided data.] HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic eruption or sea level rise.] HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on determining cause and effect relationships for how changes to the environment such as deforestation, fishing, application of fertilizers, drought, flood, and the rate of change of the environment affect distribution or disappearance of traits in species.]

Why use the environment as a context? Stream health is a topic of conversation all over our state. Governor OMalley has been touting his new term school shed to encourage teachers to get students out to nearby streams to explore and monitor. The hope is that teachers will begin to use the environment as a context for learning experiences, such as data collection, STEM, etc. The following learning experience gives you an idea of how this could look. Modifications and extensions could be made depending on the needs of the learners. Initial Understanding - How healthy is the water? You will be exploring the health of different bodies of waters at NCEEC. You will test water at two locations on site: the marsh and the river. At each location you will test for D.O. (dissolved oxygen), pH, turbidity, nitrate, and phosphate levels using a variety of tools. Create an initial claim on how you think the two locations will compare. Support your claim with evidence (prior knowledge, etc.). Discuss claims with the group.

Environmental Inquiry Stream Health Background on the Tests

As previously mentioned you will be performing a variety of tests in order to get an overall assessment of the health or quality of the water. Below is additional information on the parameters that we are testing. DO Healthy water has to have enough dissolved oxygen for life to occur. Most DO in water comes from the atmosphere. Oxygen in the air is mixed into the water through wind, wave, and currents. Plants contribute some DO through photosynthesis. Low DO can be caused by extremely high water temperature and low light levels (less photosynthesis). DO can be measured in milligrams of oxygen per liter of water (mg/L) or in parts per million (ppm). 1 ppm is approximately 1 mg/L. The measurements are then changed to percent saturation in order to calculate the Q value. A rule of thumb is 5 ppm as a minimum for aquatic life. pH Aquatic organisms can usually survive in water with a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Many causes can change the pH of water. Some causes are: acid rain, mineral leaching, melting snow, heavy precipitation, and runoff from developed land. Turbidity Turbidity is a measure of how cloudy the water is. The cloudier the water, the more suspended sediment and materials. Water that is too turbid, or cloudy, can cause problems for plants by decreasing light. Suspended particles can also clog fish gills and smother eggs. Turbidity is measured in Jackson Turbidity Units (JTU) or Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Turbidity higher than 40 JTUs can harm fish (gills). Nitrates - Nitrate is a form of nitrogen and is often released back into the soil when organisms decompose. Plants then utilize the nitrates as a natural fertilizer. Too much nitrate in the water, combined with excess phosphate, can cause an algae bloom. High nitrate levels are typically caused by excessive use of fertilizer and animal waste. Nitrates are measured in mg/L or ppm. Normally, a stream or river has a nitrate level of 2 mg/L or less. Water with nitrate levels greater than 4.4 ppm is unsafe for drinking. Phosphates Phosphate is a form of phosphorus that is stable and naturally occurring in soils. Phosphates are an essential macronutrient for plants. Algae blooms can result when excessive levels of phosphates are present in the water. High levels of phosphates can occur through misuse of fertilizer, detergents, and release of industrial wastes. Phosphates are measured in ppm or mg/L. In natural bodies of water, a phosphate level of 1 ppm is considered excellent. Levels of 4 ppm and higher can result in algal blooms.

Environmental Inquiry Stream Health

Field Study Collect water samples from two locations on the NCEEC grounds. Location - Marsh Q Value Probe Result Chem Result Water Quality Parameter Location - River Q Value Probe Result Chem Result

Dissolved Oxygen pH Turbidity Temperature Nitrates Phosphates

How do the two health assessments compare? Why perform more than one type of test? Discuss reasons for possible differences if differences are present.

Are there any other tests that can be used to assess stream health?

Revisit your initial understanding/claim. Modify your original claim plan by incorporating your new understanding. Discuss any changes with another person.