Fall 2006

Longitudinal Survey of Clear Creek

   Limnology includes the study of surface fresh waters - both lakes and streams.  This lab affords us the opportunity to study a local stream.  More specifically, we will conduct a longitudinal survey of Clear Creek, located on the west side of Bloomington, both above and below a major point source of potential pollution - the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Clear Creek above the Dillman Road facility.

Complete instructions for this field trip are in your lab notebook.  During this field trip, we will measure temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity, and collect water samples for analysis of: total phosphorus, soluble phosphorus, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, alkalinity, pH, and turbidity.  We will collect representative fish using seines.  

We will evaluate macroinvertebrate populations by riffle/run sampling using a D-frame net, qualitative picks from all stream substrates (rocks, vegetation, leaf litter), and analysis of the results using the Modified Family Biotic Index, EPT Index, and other metrics.  Students may wish to refer to the U.S. EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP) which is available from the following site: 

http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/rbp/

Clear Creek Extra Credit Report - Optional : here is a short assignment to evaluate the Clear Creek macroinvertebrate data against the physical and chemical characteristics we measured and observed.

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This page was last modified September 11, 2006
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