Freshwater Pollution
Derivation of the Biotic Indexes of Freshwater Pollution
You have been provided with long term biological data for the four different freshwater sites routinely monitored by SEPA with potentially different levels of pollution. You have also been issued with notes setting out the sensitivity of various species of invertebrates to pollution.
1- Deveron Cabrach, NJ 37855 29144
2- Water of Cruden, upstream of Morissons
3- Mains of Dyce at Pitmedden Industrial Estate
4- Burn of Noss
Your task is to use these materials to:
(i) derive biotic indexes that summarise pollution status of each site
(ii) compare different BI approaches,
(iii) calculate long-term ASPT scores for each site
(iv) critically appraise the use of biotic indexes in freshwater pollution monitoring
Summarise your findings in a scientific report. The report should not exceed 2000 words and should be of the following structure:
Title
Abstract
Introduction and Aims – a very brief review of what a biotic index is and why it is useful in freshwater pollution monitoring. Some background information you can get on the specific sites would also be useful. There should be at least 2 aims, one focusing on assessing the ecological status of the 4 sites you got samples to work in class and one aim focusing on the long term dataset
Methods – a clear, concise account of what materials and methods have been used (i.e. what BI methods have been used, etc.), how samples were collected
Results – tables/graphs summarizing data and derived biotic indexes, including brief commentary.
Discussion – an understanding of the assessment of the ecological status of your 4 sites; be critical and innovative in discussion; has the recovery site recovered or not? Is the “clean” site still clean? Provide potential explanations for the long-term fluctuations in the biotic index at each site; account of the strengths and weaknesses of the biotic indexes; how useful are they in general and how they could be improved.
