soil & water exam 2

why does ice have a lower density and float?

bonds in a open hexagonal crystalline structure

what does high movement (kinetic energy) do to temp?

raises it

what kind of lakes do we have, since we experience all four seasons?

dimictic lakes

what kind of lakes do areas that don’t have as pronounced seasons experience?

warm monomictic

what is the name of the habitat that the surface tension of water provides?

neuston

what is is called when organisms live on top of the surface of the water?

EPIneuston

what is it called when organisms live underneath the bottom of the surface of the water, clinging to the surface?

hyponeuston

ppm of DO at 20C

a good value is between 8-9, below that indicates pollution, a value of 2 indicates hypoxia

what spp are most senstive to DO levels?

mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, hellgrammites

what spp are the least sensitive to DO?

mosquito, hemipterans, beetles

what is BOD?

amount of DO currently being used by decomposing microbes in the water. If there is more nutrient present, then more O is required by the microbes to metabolize it. Units are mg/L.

what is HBI?

hilsenhoffs biotic index

what does HBI do?

uses tolerance values to indicate level of pollution on a 0-10 scale, 0 = nontolerant, 10 = tolerant

lentic?

still water

lotic?

flowing water

riffle?

water flows quickly across rocky surface, oxygenating water

pool?

pool of water

run?

flows smoothly downstream

CWD?

coarse woody debris

littoral zone?

near shore, well mixed waters

pelagic zone?

waters away from shore

photic zone?

from surface to level where light stops reaching enough for photosynthesis to compensate for respiration

aphotic zone?

below photic zone

levels of biological organization?

• community

• population

• individual

• organs/systems

• tissue

• cellular/sub-cellular

who are some non insect macroinverts?

mollusks, annelids, flatworms, and arachnids

what are the aquatic insect orders?

collembola, epermeroptera, odonata, othoptera, plecoptera, hemiptera, neruoptera, megaloptera, trichoptera, lepidoptera, coleoptera, diptera, hymenoptera

what are the feeding strategies seen in aquatic insects?

• shredders: eat leaf/woody materials

• collectors: filter feeders

• grazers: feed on algae/bacteria growing on rocks

• predators: feed on other groups

what are autochthonous inputs?

natural inputs in an ecosystem

what are allochthonous inputs?

originate outside the system

what are methods of prevention and control for inorganic nutrient pollution?

• Ban phosphate soaps
  • More precise fertilizer applications
  • Upgrade water treatment facilities
  • Improve livestock facilities
  • Ban grazing in floodplains
  • Prevention is cheaper than fixing it

what are characteristics of organic nutrient pollution?

• Biological Oxygen Demand
  • Oxygen-demanding organic wastes
  • Naturally occurring
  • Human accelerated
  • Impact
  • Bacteria vs fish & aquatic
  invertebrates
  • Increased BOD = anoxia

characteristics of thermal pollution?

• Interfere with reproduction
  • Increase vulnerability to disease (stress)
  • Direct mortality
  • Allows invasive organisms to spread
  • Potential toxic algae blooms
  • Depleted DO

characteristics of disease producing organisms? prevention?

• Human pathogens proliferating in contaminated water
• Parasite
• Botulisms
• E. coli
• Cholera
• Hepatitis A
• Animal diseases
• Protozoans – Pfiesteria
• Bacterial
• Viral
• Prevention?
• Chlorination
• purification

effects of endocrine disruptors? and examples?

alterations in sperm quality and fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, altered nervous system
function, immune function, certain cancers, respiratory problems, ...
PFAs and PCBs

what did the federal water pollution control act of 1972 do?

• goal was to make water fishable and swimmable by 1985

• included drinking water, swimming and fishing water, water for transportation and agriculture

what did amendment to fwpca was added in 1977?

the clean water act

what amendment was added to fwpca in 1987?

control on non-point source water pollution

what did the regulation on safe drinking water passed in 1974 do?

• establishes epa as the regulator of drinking water

• established drinking water standards

what makes a nutrient organic?

whether or not there is C in it

what is nutrient enrichment of lakes?

human induced aging of lakes

how long does cultural eutrophication take?

decades

how long does natural eutrophication take?

millenia

whats better an oligotrophic lake or a mesotrophic lake?

mesotrophic, it will have some algal growth towards the bottom, naturally occurring, that allows for a more diverse ecosystem to thrive, then oligotrophic lakes that are mostly clear

sediment pollution effects?

• Aquatic?
• Blocks sunlight
• Clogs gills
• Damages hydro turbines
• Makes substrate unavailable
• No breeding grounds for fish
• Reservoir sedimentation

• Terrestrial?
• Air quality

types of pollutants?

• Sediment
• Inorganic nutrients
• Thermal pollution
• Pathogens
• Toxic organic
compounds
• Heavy metals
• Oxygen-demanding
organic wastes
• pharmaceuticals

point source vs non point source pollution?

point is from a defined source, non point is from a not easily defined source spread over a large area

water pollution definition?

Any contamination of water that lessens its value to humans and
other species

what is a transpiration ratio?

= amount of water transpired / amount of dry matter produced

what are the four r’s of precision ag.?

• right product in

• the right amount in

• the right location at

• the right time

what is the goal of precision spraying and irrigation?

• reducing overlap and skipping bare spots

• changing droplet size to reduce drift and runoff

• weed zapper

• insect/ disease outbreaks

• variable rate fertilizer

what are some methods of precision irrigation?

• surface drip

• micro sprinkler

• sub surface drip tape

• precision mobile drip tape

what are the basic steps of VRF application?

1. sensors measure reflectance of leaves, if they look like they need fertilizer

2. the processor determines the sprayer rate needed

3. then the sprayer prescription is sent to the application equipment to apply the dose

how do you calculate an NDVI value?

you subtract the near infrared value and the red value, then divide that value from the sum of adding them together

what are the things we collect as part of water quality?

• temp

• pH

• DO

• conductivity

• turbidity/TSS

• nutrients

• Alkalinity/Hardness

• fecal coliforms

define TSS (total suspended solids), and what is measured for it, and how?

• all organic and inorganic particles suspended in the water

• turbidity: measured as the extent to which light is scattered as it passes through the water, using a nephelometer

• nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs)

what is a good level of TSS? TDS?

• levels below 20 mg/l are considered to be “clean” or clear

• 20-40mg/l tend to appear cloudy

• greater then 150mg/l appears dirty

what is the process for TSS? TDS?

1. filter suspended sediment = TSS

2. collected dissolved solids through evaporation= TDS

3. separate TDS into fixed versus volatile compounds

qualitative vs quantitative?

qualitative: presence or absence, descriptive

quantitative: numerical

what are some ecosystem services that are provided by aquatic macroinvertebrates?

• break down OM

• different functional feeding strategies

• forage base for fish and terrestrial predators

• can be predators themselves

what is the definition of an aquatic macroinvertebrate?

• conventionally, they are those that are retained by a 500um net or sieve

• really should be a 125 - 250um mesh

what insect orders are aquatic macroinverts?

– Collembola: Springtails 
– Ephermeroptera: Mayflies 
– Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies 
– Orthoptera: Grasshoppers and Crickets 
– Plecoptera: Stoneflies 
– Hemiptera: True bugs 
– Neuroptera: Spongillaflies 
– Megaloptera: Dobsonflies, Alderflies 
– Trichoptera: Caddisflies 
– Lepidoptera: Moths 
– Coleoptera: Beetles 
– Diptera: Flies 
– Hymenoptera: Wasps

what are the “modes of existence” for these macroinverts?

1. Skaters 
2. Planktonic 
3. Divers 
4. Swimmers 
5. Clingers 
6. Sprawlers 
7. Climbers 
8. Burrowers

what are the different functional feeding groups?

Shredders: eat leaf/woody material 
Collectors: feed on fine particles in water and 
sediment 
Grazers: feed on algae/bacteria growing on rocks 
Predators: feed on other groups

what changes over the river continuum?

• proportions of functional feeding groups change

• nutrient sources change

• physical and chemical properties change

• fish communities change

describe five different techniques that might help conserve water?

1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.

2. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load.

3. Use a low flow shower head

4. Fix leaks.

5. Install a low flow toilet

what is the relationship between ocean currents and climate?

They distribute heat, regulate temperatures, influence weather patterns, and drive events like El Niño and La Niña

describe 6 different categories of water pollutants? where does each come from? what are the impacts of each?

Six Categories of Water Pollutants

1. Pathogens

   • Source: Sewage, animal waste, contaminated water runoff.

   • Impact: Causes diseases like cholera, dysentery, and gastrointestinal infections.

2. Nutrients (Nitrogen & Phosphorus)

   • Source: Fertilizers, sewage, agricultural runoff.

   • Impact: Leads to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and dead zones in water bodies.

3. Heavy Metals

   • Source: Industrial waste, mining, and corroded pipes.

   • Impact: Toxic to aquatic life, bioaccumulates in food chains, and can cause neurological and kidney damage in humans.

4. Sediments

   • Source: Soil erosion, deforestation, and construction sites.

   • Impact: Reduces water clarity, disrupts aquatic ecosystems, and clogs fish gills.

5. Organic Chemicals

   • Source: Pesticides, herbicides, industrial chemicals, and oil spills.

   • Impact: Poisonous to aquatic life, disrupts ecosystems, and can be carcinogenic to humans.

6. Plastics & Microplastics

   • Source: Improper waste disposal, synthetic clothing, and cosmetic products.

   • Impact: Harms marine life, enters the food chain, and may cause long-term health risks in humans.

explain one way in which each of the following properties of water impacts the environment:

• High specific heat

• Density/temperature relationships between the phases of water (gas, liquid, solid)

• High level of cohesion and adhesion

• Ability to ionize and dissolve compounds

1. High Specific Heat – Water absorbs and retains heat, helping to regulate Earth's climate and stabilize temperatures in aquatic ecosystems. This protects marine life from extreme temperature changes.

2. Density/Temperature Relationships (Gas, Liquid, Solid) – Ice is less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float. This insulates aquatic ecosystems in winter, preventing entire bodies of water from freezing and protecting life below.

3. High Cohesion and Adhesion – Water moves through plants via capillary action, allowing essential nutrients to reach leaves. This process supports plant growth and oxygen production in ecosystems.

4. Ability to Ionize and Dissolve Compounds – Water dissolves essential minerals and nutrients, making them available to organisms. However, it can also dissolve pollutants, spreading contamination through ecosystems.

aquatic environments: describe some of the physical and chemical characteristics of these, how they impact life in the water, and how they might be impacted by different land use practices

1. Temperature

   • Impact on Life: Affects metabolism, reproduction, and species distribution. Warmer water holds less oxygen, making survival harder for some organisms.

   • Land Use Impact: Urbanization and deforestation increase runoff and raise water temperatures.

2. Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

   • Impact on Life: Essential for aquatic organisms; low DO can cause fish kills and dead zones.

   • Land Use Impact: Agricultural runoff (nutrients) can lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen.

3. pH Levels

   • Impact on Life: Most aquatic life thrives in a pH range of 6.5–8.5; extreme changes can be harmful.

   • Land Use Impact: Industrial pollution and acid rain can lower pH, making waters more acidic.

4. Salinity

   • Impact on Life: Determines which organisms can survive (e.g., freshwater vs. marine species).

   • Land Use Impact: Irrigation and road salt runoff can alter salinity levels, stressing aquatic ecosystems.

5. Turbidity (Water Clarity)

   • Impact on Life: High turbidity reduces sunlight penetration, affecting photosynthesis and food chains.

   • Land Use Impact: Soil erosion from deforestation and construction increases turbidity.

6. Nutrient Levels (Nitrogen & Phosphorus)

   • Impact on Life: Excess nutrients cause eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms.

   • Land Use Impact: Fertilizer use and wastewater discharge increase nutrient pollution.

7. Toxic Chemicals & Heavy Metals

   • Impact on Life: Can bioaccumulate in organisms, leading to toxicity and health problems.

   • Land Use Impact: Industrial waste, mining, and pesticide runoff introduce pollutants into water bodies.

what are some of the different types of chemical pollution?

Types of Chemical Pollution

1. Heavy Metals

   • Examples: Mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium.

   • Sources: Industrial waste, mining, corroded pipes.

   • Impact: Toxic to aquatic life and humans, bioaccumulates in food chains.

2. Nutrient Pollution

   • Examples: Nitrates, phosphates.

   • Sources: Fertilizers, sewage, agricultural runoff.

   • Impact: Causes eutrophication, leading to oxygen depletion and fish kills.

3. Pesticides & Herbicides

   • Examples: DDT, glyphosate, atrazine.

   • Sources: Agriculture, landscaping, urban runoff.

   • Impact: Toxic to aquatic organisms, disrupts ecosystems, can harm human health.

4. Industrial & Household Chemicals

   • Examples: PCBs, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), detergents.

   • Sources: Factories, household cleaning products, improper waste disposal.

   • Impact: Persistent in the environment, toxic to wildlife, may cause cancer.

5. Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (PPCPs)

   • Examples: Antibiotics, hormones, painkillers.

   • Sources: Wastewater, improper disposal of medications.

   • Impact: Disrupts aquatic life, can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

6. Acidic & Alkaline Pollution

   • Examples: Sulfuric acid, lime.

   • Sources: Acid rain, industrial discharge, mining runoff.

   • Impact: Alters pH levels, harming aquatic organisms and ecosystems.

7. Oil & Hydrocarbons

   • Examples: Crude oil, gasoline, benzene.

   • Sources: Oil spills, vehicle leaks, industrial runoff.

   • Impact: Coats marine life, damages habitats, disrupts ecosystems.

why do aquatic macroinvertebrates make good indicators of water quality? What information can they provide that a water
sample in the lab cannot provide? How do they provide information?

Why Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Are Good Water Quality Indicators

1. Sensitivity to Pollution – Different species have varying tolerance levels to pollutants. Some (e.g., mayflies, stoneflies) require clean water, while others (e.g., leeches, midges) tolerate pollution. Their presence or absence reflects water quality.

2. Long-Term Monitoring – Unlike a single water sample, macroinvertebrates provide a historical record of water conditions. They live in the water for weeks to years, accumulating the effects of pollution over time.

3. Comprehensive Ecosystem Health Assessment – They reflect multiple factors like oxygen levels, pH, temperature, and contaminants, whereas a lab test only provides a snapshot of conditions at one moment.

4. How They Provide Information

   • Scientists use biotic indices, scoring the presence and abundance of species to assess pollution levels.

   • Comparing species diversity and population balance helps determine overall ecosystem health.

Hilsenhoff’s biotic index
o Each aquatic macroinvertebrate species (and family) has been assigned a numerical unitless tolerance value
ranking its sensitivity to dissolved oxygen levels in the water. What kind of pollution would you expect these
macroinvertebrates (those with the highest sensitivity to low dissolved oxygen) to be most sensitive to and
why? How is the index calculated?

Hilsenhoff’s Biotic Index (HBI) Pollution Sensitivity

Macroinvertebrates with the highest sensitivity to low dissolved oxygen are most vulnerable to organic pollution. Organic pollutants (e.g., sewage, agricultural runoff, and decaying plant matter) decompose and consume oxygen through microbial activity, leading to oxygen depletion (hypoxia). Sensitive species, like mayflies and stoneflies, require high oxygen levels and decline in polluted waters.

The final index value indicates water quality:

• 0–3.5 = Excellent (little to no organic pollution).

• 3.5–4.5 = Very Good.

• 4.5–5.5 = Good.

• 5.5–6.5 = Fair.

• 6.5–7.5 = Poor (moderate to heavy pollution).

• 7.5–10 = Very Poor (severe pollution, low oxygen).

Be able to provide some examples of aquatic macroinvertebrates and their corresponding feeding strategies. Why might feeding strategies be important when considering environmental impacts on aquatic systems? Provide a couple
of examples

Examples of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates & Feeding Strategies

1. Shredders (decompose organic matter)

   • Example: Stoneflies

2. Collectors (gather/filter organic particles)

   • Example: Caddisflies

3. Scrapers/Grazers (feed on algae)

   • Example: Mayflies

4. Predators (feed on other invertebrates)

   • Example: Dragonfly nymphs

Importance of Feeding Strategies

• Nutrient Cycling: Shredders and collectors break down organic matter, supporting ecosystem balance.

• Pollution Sensitivity: Collectors and scrapers are vulnerable to sedimentation and chemical pollutants.

• Food Web Impact: Predator loss can disrupt population control.

what is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, which differ in wavelength and frequency. It includes:

1. Radio Waves: Longest wavelengths, used for communication.

2. Microwaves: Used in cooking and radar.

3. Infrared: Heat radiation, used in night-vision cameras.

4. Visible Light: The range we can see, from red (longer wavelength) to violet (shorter wavelength).

5. Ultraviolet (UV): Can cause sunburn, used in sterilization.

6. X-rays: Used for medical imaging, can penetrate soft tissues.

7. Gamma Rays: Highest energy, used in cancer treatment and produced by radioactive decay.

how do sensors, that detect electromagnetic energy, work?

1. Detection: Sensors use materials or components sensitive to specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., photodetectors for visible light, infrared sensors for heat). These materials absorb the incoming radiation.

2. Conversion: The absorbed energy causes a change in the properties of the sensor material, such as electrical charge, voltage, or current. For example:

   • Photodetectors (like photodiodes or CCDs) convert visible light into electrical signals.

   • Thermal sensors detect infrared radiation by measuring temperature changes.

3. Signal Processing: The electrical signal generated is processed by the sensor’s electronics, which may amplify, filter, and convert it into a digital format for display or further analysis.

4. Output: The processed signal is output as data (e.g., a temperature reading, an image, or a radio signal), which can be interpreted for practical use, like in cameras, infrared sensors, or communication devices.

what is the normalized difference vegetative index? how is it useful

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a remote sensing metric used to assess the health and density of vegetation.

How NDVI is Useful:

1. Monitoring Vegetation Health: NDVI is used to detect droughts, monitor plant growth, and assess the impact of climate change.

2. Agriculture: It helps farmers monitor crop health and optimize irrigation.

3. Land Use & Environmental Studies: NDVI is used in land cover classification, deforestation monitoring, and ecosystem management.

4. Disaster Management: NDVI can track vegetation recovery after events like wildfires, floods, or hurricanes.