Freshwater Ecology and Water Quality Analysis Competition

What is the main focus of the competition on freshwater aquatic environments?

Assessment of understanding and evaluation of freshwater aquatic environments.

What is the team size for the competition?

Teams consist of 2 members.

How long is the competition event?

50 minutes.

What type of eye protection is required during the competition?

Class 2 eye protection.

What is the primary tool students must build for the competition?

A salinometer/hydrometer.

What percentage of the competition is dedicated to freshwater ecology?

30%.

What types of questions are included in the freshwater ecology section?

Multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, and short answer questions.

List some topics covered in the freshwater ecology section.

Aquatic ecology, water cycle, nutrient cycle, aquatic chemistry, potable water treatment, wastewater treatment, aquatic food chains/webs, community interactions, population dynamics, watershed resource management issues, sedimentation pollution, harmful species.

What is the focus of Division C in the competition?

Understanding and applying the concept of Indigenous knowledge or traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to scenarios.

What is the focus of Part 2 of the competition?

Freshwater macroinvertebrates, including identification and understanding their importance as water quality indicators.

What is assessed in Part 3 of the competition?

Water monitoring and analysis related to various water quality parameters.

What parameters are included in the water monitoring and analysis section?

Salinity, pH, phosphates, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, nitrates, fecal coliform, total solids, biochemical oxygen demand.

What is the focus of Part 4 of the competition?

Salinometer Testing, including building and calibrating a salinometer/hydrometer.

What is the salinity measurement range for the salinometer/hydrometer?

1-10% saltwater concentrations.

What is the minimum volume of saltwater solution required for testing?

At least 400 mL.

How is the scoring structured for the competition?

High score wins, with points awarded for various parts and accuracy in measurements.

What percentage of the total score is allocated for bringing the salinometer for testing?

5%.

What is the scoring for making accurate salinity measurements in Part 4?

5% of the total score.

What is the significance of calibration solutions in the competition?

They may or may not be provided by the event supervisor.

What types of organisms are focused on in Part 2 of the competition?

Immature and adult macroinvertebrates and aquatic nuisance organisms.

What is the importance of macroinvertebrates in the context of this competition?

They serve as indicators of water and wetland quality.

What is the role of selected questions in the scoring process?

They may be used as tiebreakers.