How Macro-Invertebrates Show Stream Pollution
We can identify how polluted our stream is just by the insects that were found in it. Below are some macro-invertebrates that were found during our stream analysis. The macro-invertebrates listed, link to the pollution of the streams. Since one of our groups from our class were sent to another stream, the macro-invertebrates we found seemed to only appear in a higher polluted stream. Therefore, one stream is more polluted than the other, resulting in different pollution levels for the two different streams.
1. Aquatic Macro-invertebrates – Somewhat Tolerant of Pollution
These group of macro-invertebrates tend to tolerate some degradation of water quality. Their abundance and diversity indicates that a stream is between fair to good condition. For example, some macro-invertebrates we found were.
Sow bugs, scuds, crayfish
2. Aquatic Macro-invertebrates – Pollution Tolerant
Certain macro-invertebrates thrive in poor quality water. An abundance of these organisms suggest that the environmental conditions in a stream have deteriorated. Some of these invertebrates use "snorkels" to access oxygen at the water's surface, and are less dependent on dissolved oxygen to breathe. For example, some macro-invertebrates we found were.
Aquatic worms, leeches
Construction
After finding out what insects were found and how it reflected on the pollution of the stream, it seems that the two rivers are both polluted. This can be because if many reasons. The main reason i think it is polluted is because of the construction going on. Since this area is relatively new, it still has to undergo construction. You may be wondering what construction has to do with pollution. Well, when land is cleared in preparation for construction, the underlying soil is exposed, leaving it susceptible to erosion and loss of fertility. As rainwater flows over a construction site during this phase, it washes sediment, litter and chemicals into the storm drain, where it is discharged, usually untreated, into local streams, lakes, etc. Therefore, resulting in specific macro invertebrates to live in the stream.
Below are some macro-invertebrates
1. Aquatic Macro-invertebrates – Somewhat Tolerant of Pollution
These group of macro-invertebrates tend to tolerate some degradation of water quality. Their abundance and diversity indicates that a stream is between fair to good condition. For example, some macro-invertebrates we found were.
Sow bugs, scuds, crayfish
2. Aquatic Macro-invertebrates – Pollution Tolerant
Certain macro-invertebrates thrive in poor quality water. An abundance of these organisms suggest that the environmental conditions in a stream have deteriorated. Some of these invertebrates use "snorkels" to access oxygen at the water's surface, and are less dependent on dissolved oxygen to breathe. For example, some macro-invertebrates we found were.
Aquatic worms, leeches
Construction
After finding out what insects were found and how it reflected on the pollution of the stream, it seems that the two rivers are both polluted. This can be because if many reasons. The main reason i think it is polluted is because of the construction going on. Since this area is relatively new, it still has to undergo construction. You may be wondering what construction has to do with pollution. Well, when land is cleared in preparation for construction, the underlying soil is exposed, leaving it susceptible to erosion and loss of fertility. As rainwater flows over a construction site during this phase, it washes sediment, litter and chemicals into the storm drain, where it is discharged, usually untreated, into local streams, lakes, etc. Therefore, resulting in specific macro invertebrates to live in the stream.
Below are some macro-invertebrates