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Diagram reference 6

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The graph above is a measurement of the pH level at different sites along the creek. The pH level of water is the measure of how acidic or basic. It is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration. The International optimum pH level for river water is around 7.4. (1)

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Site one, a pH of 5.5 is collected at 1300hrs, lots of decaying and vegetation

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Site 2 has a level of pH 6 collect at 1310hrs, not as much vegetarian as site 1

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Site 3 has the pH level of 6.5, significantly less vegetation compared to site 1 and 2.

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The graph above has the different amount of Dissolved Oxygen collected at different sites along the creek. Dissolved Oxygen is essential to support aquatic life and vegetation. Oxygen slowly dissolves from the surrounding atmosphere and also from photosynthesis of algae and aquatic plants. (Reference 6)
The EPWP 2009, state that the recommend range for freshwater is ‘>4mg/L’.

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Site 1 contains a Dissolved Oxygen level of 6mg/L, such saturation means that the water is holding 6 milligrams of dissolved oxygen molecules per Litre.

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Site 2 contains a Dissolved Oxygen level of 2mg/L, because of the lackingness of wind is the area.

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Site 3 contains a Dissolved Oxygen level of 5mg/L, because of the rapid aeration of the waterfall.

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The graph above shows the temperature of the 3 sites taken of the creek water at 3 at between 1300-1400hrs. The Bureau temperature for the day was between 15-24 degree. (4)
The average temperature provided by the EPWP 2009, state that the freshwater creek can be 10 degrees below the atmospheric temperature.

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The temperature collected along the 3 sites, was very consistent. The creek had sunlight exposure for the last 6 hours which will have impacted the photosynthesis of the aquatic plantation and the algae growth rate.

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Macroinvertebrates found along site 2. The sensitivity score was a survey data from the NRHP, where a set grade number between 1-10 was used to represent the water-quality sensitivity. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 1: Caddisfly larvae, are more diverse in cool, flowing water. The grade of 10 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 2: Water Fleas, are free-living aquatic organisms that can be found in almost every permanent nutrient-rich water. The a grade of 5 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 3: Black Fly larvae, thrive in water with moderate to fast currents. The a grade of 5 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 4: Damselfly larvae, they live in marshes, ponds, lakes and streams. The grade of 4 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 5: Freshwater shrimps, are small freshwater crustaceans that are widespread in creek and rivers. The grade of 4 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 6: Scud, are collectors/gatherers/shredders and predators, they are omnivores and will just about eat anything and can live in range of water conditions. The grade of 3 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 7: WaterBoatman, are found in still and flowing wate with aquatic plants. The grade of 2 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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Macroinvertebrate 8: Creeping water bug, are mostly found swimming or creeping in grassy or reedy still and flowing waters. The grade of 2 sensitivity score was assigned by the biotic index. (Reference 8)

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The pH chart measures how acidic or basic the creek water is. The measure of the hydrogen ion concentration provides an outlook of the creek’s hospitality to aquatic life. Extreme pH can be harmful to the health of the creek water quality.

The Dissolved Oxygen chart shows the supply of dissolved oxygen gas that is essential for the survival of aquatic organisms. A deficiency in this value can be a sign of an unhealthy creek.

The Temperature chart impacts the rate of growth of aquatic organisms, the rate of the plants photosynthesising, the solubility of oxygen in creek water and the wind factor. A higher temperature may cause plantation to grow and die faster, the decomposition requires oxygen and decrease the pH level which might cause the healthiness of the creek to decrease.

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The term validity refers to whether or not the test measures what it claims to measures. Yes, the 4 test conducted do measured the healthiness of the creek. The biotic index that was provided is a good certification of the heathiness of the creek aquatic life using the sensitivity score of the Macroinvertebrates found.

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The reliability is an important element to do with the consistency of the test.

The pH test obtained a consistent result pertaining to the surrounding area. The data comparison to the normal value was typical for the 3 sites selected. (Reference 1)

The Dissolved Oxygen test obtained an inconsistent result because it has a multi-factor contributor to the level of dissolved oxygen molecules. So many variables factors like sunlight exposure, decomposition,
photosynthesis, wind factor, aeration, temperature and the atmospheric pressure can impact on the data(Reference 1)

In our test, the DO2 data collected is not a true measure of the level of DO2 gas molecule. A retest in summer for example, at a temperature of 35 degree with high wind, may show a total different result.

The temperature data collected do reflect the condition of the creek. It’s consistency was dependent on the atmoshpheric temperature daily and seasonally

The Macroinverterbates Boitic Index was reliabe as the classifications of the taxanomic levels was provided.(reference 7)

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Based on the data collected, we could safely conclude that the aquatic ecosystem falls within the envornmental value identified for water within the creek. The data provide guidence to understand the water body, many physical, biological and chemical characteristics that affect the waterway health. With almost idea pH level and temperature that were consistent to the normal. Using 1 star for unhealthy and 5 star for healthy, for the water quality of our test creek, the respective data indicate that a 3.5 star rating would be appropriate. As majority, except one of the Macroinvertebrate found are less than a 5 sensitivity score on the biotic index, that somewhat indictate that the aquatic ecosystem is at mid-optimum level.

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Other significant tests, that could identify other water qualities should be administrated to give the test reliability and fairness. Test like turbidity, which provide the amount of suspended solids in the creek water,  including sits, clay, litter and microscopic organisms that are caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients and pollutants may be harmful to aquatic life. (reference 7)

A thorough chemicals and minerals breakdown test can be administered. The phosphorus, ammonia and nitrogen level will further provide more reliability to the test. (Reference 7)

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1) Water Quality. Retrieved from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/fenlewis/Waterquality.html

2) Franklin, U. (1996). Caddisfly | EcoSpark. Retrieved from https://www.ecospark.ca/caddisfly

3) UWL Website. Retrieved from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/carroll_chri/habitat.htm

4) Black Fly | EcoSpark. Retrieved from https://www.ecospark.ca/black-fly

5) Damselfly Larvae. Retrieved from https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/damselfly-larvae

6) Dissolved Oxygen - Environmental Measurement Systems. Retrieved from https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/dissolved-oxygen/

7) Water Policy Protection. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/2016-12-06/sl-2009-0178

8) Marine & freshwater research 54(2), 95-103,2003)