What water quality parameters should we use to characterize our stream sites?

Below is a list of water quality parameters that we have the capability of measuring this summer.  This is a pretty long list, and we may or may not want to measure all of them. 

Each student should pick 2 parameters and research the following:

·         What does the parameter measure?

·         What methods are used to quantify the parameter (there will likely be more than one answer!)?

·         What is the typical range of concentration or values for this parameter in natural environments (specifically freshwater streams)? What units are typically used for your parameters? (there may be more than one answer for this as well)

·         What factors (both natural and anthropogenic) affect the magnitude of this parameter?

Using the table above and your ability to edit this wiki page, please sign up for two of the parameters. (First come, first served!)  To sign up, log in to the wiki site, and type your name in the boxes for the parameter you choose.  Don't forget to click "Save when you are done editing!  

Some resources for you to use include the following:

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Website – contains water quality data for the Chicago Area from 1970 – present (look under reports), and other useful information!

http://www.mwrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/Home

USGS – Illinois Water Science Center – historical and real time data on surface and groundwater in Illinois

                http://il.water.usgs.gov/

Examples in the Literature

You will probably want to use other resources (websites, textbooks, journal articles) to help you with  this as well.

It would also be useful to find a peer-reviewed article that deals with the parameters you chose and the subject of water quality, particularly for streams. If you need help using the library databases to search the published literature, you can ask us or a reference librarian.  GEOREF is a database that searches papers related to geology and Earth Science, so that may be a good place to start.  Some things to look for in your articles:

             How was sampling conducted?

             What methods were used for analysis? Where there any difficulties with the analysis?

How do the results compare to what you know about the typical range of values for this parameter?

How does the study relate the results to water quality? For example, does the study use the results as indicators of good vs. bad water quality? Do the results lead the authors to the conclusion that the water is polluted? Do the authors correlate the results to local geology?

Presentation of Results

At our next meeting, you’ll briefly present the results of your research to the group, and we’ll start to learn how to use the equipment we have to make some of these measurements!

The goal of your presentation is to bring the whole group to a thorough understanding of your parameters.  Your colleagues need to understand every parameter and what it reveals about water quality, so focus on helping them understand the material, as opposed to following any particular rules for the format of your presentation.  Remember that we all need to know what you learned, so your colleagues are counting on you to both find and share the information in an effective manner.  Please plan to use no more than 10 minutes for your presentation; that way, we can hear from everyone in one meeting.

Other Parameters?

You may come across a parameter that is not on the list above, and you might feel it is important to our study.  If you are so inclined, and are interested in pursuing it further, do the same thing as described above for the other parameters.  In our next meeting, tell us why you think this parameter is important, and what methods we can use to measure it.  If you do find a new parameter that isn’t on the list, please add it to the table above (you can all edit our wiki page).

DON’T FORGET TO KEEP OF TRACK OF YOUR TIME!! (Time sheets are available on the project website: http://www.neiu.edu/~deptesci/muddywaters.htm). We expect you to spend no more than 3 hours on this task.

Have fun!