The question that needs to be answered is, what is the water quality of the U-High creek based on microinvertebrates found in the creek? The ways that you can find out what the water quality is, based on the microinvertebrates, is through the measures of water quality, how the invertebrates can be used to measure water quality, and through the impact of water quality on stream ecosystems. For the measures of water quality the dissolved oxygen is the oxygen that is in the water. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water must be in high concentrations. The pH of a substance is the measure of hydrogen ions in that substance. Healthy creek pH levels should be between 6.5-8.5. There should be a low concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen in the …show more content…
Many invertebrates can be good bioindicators of pollution because most invertebrates are stationary even though the river is moving past them and the impact of pollution can be seen in surviving organisms long after all traces of the chemicals are washed away. (Riverwatch, 2013) Stream ecosystems are sustained by the health of the water within the stream. Without good water quality most aquatic invertebrates would not be able to survive. A river with good health will contain a multitude of different invertebrates that will feed in many different ways. One characteristic of a healthy and stable ecosystem is diversity. (Riverwatch, 2013) On September 26, 2016 there were observations accumulated from the U-High Creek. The observations were gathered around 10 o’clock in the morning. On this day, at this time, it was 62℉, with 11 mph winds, and a humidity level of 60%. In the creek there were approximately 30, 2” minnows and 4 larger fish estimated to be around 6”. There were many insects around the creek, such as, dragonflies, gnats, and flies. An abundance of plant life was observed at the creek. Such as bright yellow flowers, and tall, green grass. In the creek there was a mass of pollution. Some of the pollution found were items like: a toy gun, a paper plate, plastic bags, a paper cup, a coat, and a tennis ball. Therefore the water quality of the U-High creek is predicted to be