Coursework

Physical: River Depth Study - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to measure the depth of the river a number of times from the inside to the outside bank to find out whether it is deeper on one side than the other
Sampling - systematic
Equipment - tape measure, metre stick, 30cm ruler, recording sheet, pencil

Physical: River Depth Study - method

We carried out a river depth study, on a meander on the River Hogsmill. This is an example of systematic sampling as we measured the depth of the river a number of times from the inside on the outside bank. We measured the entire width of the river first, to work out the sample interval - two people stood at either side of the meander, and help a tape measure level to measure the width. We conducted samples at every tenth across the river. Starting from the inside bank, we measured the depth of the river at regular intervals - one person used a ruler to find the depth.

Physical: Bank Incline Study - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to measure how steep both the inside and outside banks are - a steeper bank will indicate higher levels of erosion
Sampling - stratified - there are two banks so we will take one reading from each bank
Equipment - tape measure, gun clinometer, recording sheet, pencil

Physical: Bank Incline Study - method

We carried out a bank incline study, on a meander on the River Hogsmill. This is an example of stratified sampling as there were two banks, so we took one reading from each bank. First, we measured the distance between the outside bank and the inside bank. Then, using two people of similar height, they looked at each other on flat ground, to find the point on their body where the gun clinometer read 0°. Then, we measured the length of the inside bank, from the river to the top. The person with the clinometer stood at the the bottom of the inside bank, whilst the other person stood at the top. The person at the bottom looked through the clinometer at the set point on the other person's body e.g. the eyes and someone else read the angle off the clinometer. We then repeated this for the outside bank: first, we measured the length of the outside bank, from the river to the top. Then, the person with the clinometer stood at the bottom of the outside bank whilst the other person stood at the top. The person at the bottom looked through the clinometer at the set point on the other person's body and someone else read the angle off the clinometer.

Human: Traffic Count - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to collect data on the number and type of traffic travelling past Bourne Hall Park to provide evidence that there is a noticeable traffic flow in the area
Sampling - stratified. there are two roads so we will take two 10-minute readings. we will then multiply the readings by 6 to give an hourly average
Equipment - stopwatch, recording sheet, pencil

Human: Traffic Count - method

We carried out two traffic counts: one on the High Street (which has two-way traffic) and one on Spring Street (which has one-way traffic). This is an example of stratified sampling as we conducted one traffic count on each street. Each count was carried out for 10 minutes, where we tallied the number of vehicles and also put each tally into categories such as car, van, HGV, or bus. We used a stopwatch to count the 10 minutes. Once completed, we multiplied each count by 6 to estimate the average traffic over the course of an hour. We also noted down the specific time that we conducted the traffic counts.

Human: Transect (temperature survey) - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to collect temperature readings and noise readings every 20m along a transect away from the High Street
Sampling - systematic. we will take three readings every 20m and calculate an average
Equipment - digital thermometer, stopwatch, recording sheet, pencil, chalk (to mark transect), trundle wheel (to measure transect)

Human: Transect (temperature survey) - method

We carried out a temperature survey, along a transect from the High Street. This is an example of systematic sampling as we took readings every 20m, getting further away from the start point, in the High Street. At each designated reading point, we took three temperature readings. We used a digital thermometer to measure the temperature. Once completed, we added the three readings and divided it by three, to work out the mean average temperature of each distance from the roadside. We also left a thirty second gap between each reading to make it more accurate. Also, we noted down the specific time that we conducted the temperature survey.

Physical Geography: River Landscape - key info

Aim - to investigate a meander on the River Hogsmill
Hypothesis 1 - there will be higher levels of erosion on the outside bank of a river meander
Hypothesis 2 - the river will be deeper on the outside bend of the meander

Human Geography: Urban environments (with link to Physical Geography) - key info

Aim - to investigate the impact of road traffic on the environment of Ewell Village
Hypothesis 1 - air temperature will decrease as distance from the road increases
Hypothesis 2 - noise levels will decrease as distance from the road increases

Human: Transect (noise survey) - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to collect temperature readings and noise readings every 20m along a transect away from the High Street
Sampling - systematic. we will take three readings every 20m and calculate an average
Equipment - decibel meter app, stopwatch, recording sheet, pencil, chalk (to mark transect), trundle wheel (to measure transect)

Human: Transect (noise survey) - method

We carried out a noise survey, along a transect from the High Street. This is an example of systematic sampling as we took readings every 20m, getting further away from the start point, in the High Street. At each designated reading point, we took three noise readings. We used a decibel meter app to measure the noise levels. Once completed, we added the three readings and divided it by three, to work out the mean average decibel level of each distance from the roadside. We also left a thirty second gap between each reading to make it more accurate. Also, we noted down the specific time that we conducted the noise survey.

Human: Environmental Quality Surveys - aim, sampling, equipment

Aim - to survey the quality of the environment at either end of the transect to see if there are any major differences between the two areas
Sampling - stratified. we will carry out one survey by the road and one survey within park
Equipment - recording sheet, pencil

Human: Environmental Quality Surveys - method

I carried out two Environmental Quality Surveys (EQS): one for the High Street (by the road) and one for Bourne Hall Park (within the park). This is an example of stratified sampling as I conducted one survey for each environment. Also, this is primary, qualitative data. Each survey was carried out individually, in which I rated different aspects of the environment - such as litter, pedestrians, traffic – between -2 and +2. The higher the total score was, the better the environment was. Once completed, I must collect 10 other people’s results to remove bias.

Physical: Field Sketch - equipment, method

Equipment - pencil, field sketch frame, recording sheet

At the River Hogsmill, I drew the key physical features of the river meander that I could see e.g the river cliff. This is an example of primary, qualitative data as I recorded what I could see in front of me, in a picture. I also labelled the sketch to make it more detailed and accurate.

Physical: Bank Incline Study - justification

In order to investigate a meander on the River Hogsmill, we need proof that the steepness of the river changes from the inside bank to the outside bank - a steeper bank will indicate higher levels of erosion. By carrying out this bank incline study, we were able to provide evidence that the levels of erosion were different on the inside bank to the outside bank of the meander.

Physical: River Depth Study - justification

In order to investigate a meander on the River Hogsmill, we need proof that the depth of the river changes from the inside to the outside bank. By carrying out this river depth study, we were able to provide evidence that the river depth changed from one bank to the other.

Physical: Field Sketch - justification

In order to investigate a meander on the River Hogsmill, I needed an understanding of the key physical features of the meander and proof of the meander. By carrying out this field sketch, I was able to link erosion levels and the depth of the river to the different aspects of the meander. The investigation mainly looks at how erosion levels and depth of the river change on the outside bend of the meander, so we conducted a river depth study and a bank incline study to find proof of erosional and depth changes in the meander.

Human: Environmental Quality Surveys - justification

In order to find out how traffic affects the local environment of Ewell Village, we need to determine that the environmental quality is different in areas by the road, and areas away from the transect. By carrying out these Environmental Quality Surveys, we will be able to compare the different environments at either end of the transect. Our investigation mainly looks at how noise and temperature change as we move further away from the High Street, but we also compared the overall environment quality to understand the general differences between areas nearer the High Street, and areas further away.

Human: Transect (noise survey) - justification

In order to find out how road traffic affects the local environment of Ewell Village, we need proof of changes in noise levels at various distances from the road. By carrying out these decibel readings, we will be able to provide evidence of noise levels changing in relation to distance from the road.

Human: Transect (temperature survey) - justification

In order to find out how road traffic affects the local environment of Ewell Village, we need proof of temperature change at various distances from the road. By carrying out these temperature readings, we will be able to provide evidence of temperature changing in relation to distance from the road.

Human: Traffic Count - justification

In order to find out how traffic affects the local environment of Ewell Village we need proof that there is traffic in the area. By carrying out these traffic counts we will be able to provide evidence of traffic flowing through Ewell Village. Our investigation mainly looks at how the noise and temperature changes as we move away from the High Street but we also carried out another count on Spring Street to find out whether it might also have an impact on the temperature and noise readings.

Physical: Field Sketch - data analysis

My field sketch does not show more erosion on the outside bank as it does not look steeper or less steep, and there is not less vegetation in that bank.

The stepping stones in my field sketch might impact erosion in this area too, as they are a man-made feature in a physical environment. It may have changed the ecosystem in the river, and affected river flow. Also, the stepping stones could mean that human activity might affect erosion on different areas of the meander than predicted.

Physical: River Cross-Section - data analysis

My river cross-section shows that there is more erosion on the outside bank of the meander. This is because the outside bank was 30° steep, whereas the inside bank was 29° steep.

My river cross-section also shows that the river was deeper on the outside bank, by 20cm - at 0m, the depth was 5cm, whilst the depth was 25cm on the outside bank. The deepest part of the river was nearer the outside bank, at 312cm across the river which was 30cm deep.

Physical - Conclusions

I will accept the hypotheses above as the river cross-section provides evidence for both of the hypotheses. Although the field sketch does not back these up, I will still accept them as the field sketch was less accurate that the river cross section.

Human: Traffic Count - data analysis

My bar charts show that there is traffic in the area. Both charts (one for the High Street, and one for Spring Street) show that cars/taxis are the most popular type of vehicle, and produce the most pollution. On Ewell High Street, 552 cars/taxis produced 132.48 kg/hour, and on Spring Street, 510 cars/taxis produced 122.40 kg/hour.

This data suggests that there will be higher temperatures and noise levels near to the road as traffic is present on the transect. This is because the vehicles will produce more noise, and will release fumes of CO2 and other gases which warm up the air around the road.

Human: Temperature Survey (located bar graphs) - data analysis

My located bar graphs show that as you move away from the road, the temperature decreases. The average temperature 0m from the road is 18.2°C whilst the average temperature 100m from the road is 15.0°C, this shows a decrease of 3.2°C. This could be due to the traffic creating fumes of CO2 and other gases which warm up the air around the road.

The largest drop was between 40m and 60m, where the temperature dropped by 1.3°C.

There were no sudden increases or decreases in temperature, so there are no anomalous results.

Human: Noise Survey (line graph) - data analysis

My line graph shows that as you move away from the road, the noise level decreases. The average noise level 0m from the road is 60.2 dB whilst the average noise level 100m from the road is 51.3 dB, this shows a decrease of 8.9 dB. This could be due to the traffic creating more noise pollution, which makes the environment noisier around the road.

The largest drop was between 20m and 40m, where the noise levels dropped by 6.5 dB.

The temperature increases by 5.5 dB between 0m and 20m, which was an anomalous result. This may have been due to people talking around us whilst taking readings.

Human: Environmental Quality Surveys (radar graphs) - data analysis

My radar graphs show that environmental quality is lower in an urban environment, than in a more natural environment. The overall environmental quality for the High Street (0m on the transect) was -3 whilst the overall environmental quality for Bourne Hall Park (100m on the transect) was +7, showing a difference of 10. This could be due to Bourne Hall Park being further from the road than the High Street.

The largest difference were for lighting, open space, and traffic - with a difference of three.

Traffic from the road did impact this in regards to traffic, noise, and ground surface

Human - Conclusions

I will accept both hypotheses as all the data collected evidences these statements. The traffic counts prove that traffic is found in Ewell Village, whilst the noise and air temperature studies prove that the respective levels decrease as distance from the road increases. Also, the EQS suggests that traffic lowers the environmental quality of an area.

Field Sketch presentation method - strengths

representation of what we saw on the day
able to see clearly the site that we visited
can add annotations to show key features of what we were studying
easy to understand the landscape of the area
can add labels to show key features
fairly easy to create and can be improved later

Field Sketch presentation method - weaknesses

may not be exact - it is subjective
limited by your artistic ability
only shows how the site looked on the day that we visited
not completely realistic - a photograph would be better

River Cross Section presentation method - strengths

clearly see the pattern of depth and incline across the river
can identify the deepest and shallowest parts of the river - links to hypothesis
drawn to scale - so can see accurate patterns
can clearly see the pattern of depth and bank incline
helps to answer hypothesis as can identify deepest part of river easily

River Cross Section presentation method - weaknesses

could be confusing for someone to understand if they didn't study Geography
scales on graph may suggest river was deeper than it actually was
may be inaccurate if measurements were taken incorrectly
only one measurement was collected - may not be an accurate representation
doesn't show other features of the river e.g. vegetation, sediment etc.
doesn't give any reasons for the patterns shown
different scales for x and y axis makes the river look deeper than it was

Noise Line Graph presentation method - strengths

clearly shows the correlation between noise levels and distance from the transect
easy to interpret
easy to see the trend
range easily calculated

Noise Line Graph presentation method - weaknesses

only shows data from one day and a short period of time - may not be an accurate representation
the figure (dB) does not clearly show the noise experience
only represents the highest recorded decibel (dB)
x axis is a uniform scale, not drawn to scale

Temperature Located Bar Graphs presentation methods - strengths

easy to interpret
easy to see the trend/pattern (increase in temperature)
shows clearly where the recordings took place - located bar within the park - Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
easy to create

Temperature Located Bar Graphs presentation methods - weaknesses

may be inaccurate if equipment (digital thermometer) did not function correctly
only shows data from one day and a short period of time
scale may not be accurate (y axis is not accurate)
no explanations of anomalies or patterns
sampling

EQS Radar Graphs - strengths

easy to create
easy to interpret
easy to compare between the two locations
representation of what we saw on the day

EQS Radar Graphs - weaknesses

may not be exact - it is subjective
only shows the environment quality of one day

Located Bar Graphs - pattern

the temperature from 0m (entrance) to 100m (in the park) has decreased. the range of temperature is 3.2°C. the mean temperature was 16.3°C. the hypothesis is true - the temperatures decreased overall, as we travelled further from the road

Line Graph - pattern

the noise levels (dB) have fluctuated as we walked into the park. The average noise level was 57.98 dB. The range of the recordings is 14.4 dB. the hypothesis is true - further down from the road, noise levels decreased

Radar Graphs - pattern

Bourne Hall Park has a better environmental quality than the High Street. I scored the litter, ground surface, traffic, open spaces, noise, and pedestrians as significantly higher for Bourne Hall Park as it was a more pedestrianised zone, with a more natural environment, that was less urbanised - this is why I rated the lighting significantly lower than the High Street - which had many street lamps

Bar Chart - pattern

the High Street has high levels of pollution. in each location, the vehicles are equal, or the High Street has more (for cars/taxis, and vans)
the average (mean) level of CO2 per hour for: the High Street is 45.0462 kg/hour, and for Spring Street is 40.248 kg/hour. the High Street has higher levels of CO2 (kg/hour) on average, by 4.7982 kg/hour
we did not identify if vehicles were petrol or diesel, hybrid, or electric. we assumed every vehicle was petrol or diesel

River Cross Section - pattern

the bank incline matches the theoretical angle (the outside bend is deeper). the outside bend is steeper than the inside bend, matching the theoretical model. however, there are some anomalies, such as rocks on the river bed, and man-made features e.g. the stepping stones