2,390
Sofia Gastelu
Mrs. Kemp
30/09/15
Environmental Systems and Societies
An experiment to investigate the effect of organic pollution on the number of Mayfly
nymphs in the Tillingbourne and Mole river
Hypothesis:
Independent Variable: River mole and river Tillingbourne
Dependent Variable: Mayfly nymphs
Introduction: FINISH
Water pollution is a very serious issue right now. It affects
water ecosystems, and even human well-being. Water
pollution is normally caused by harmful substances into
rivers or streams. Many aquatic invertebrates aren't able to survive, since the water is
much polluted. Sewage from domestic households is a big cause of water pollution,
littering by human, and waste from factories are also major reasons. For instance,
sewage causes the reduction of oxygen in water. These levels of oxygen won't help
leaving organisms in the area.
Mayfly Nymphs live in freshwater, and are an indicator species. Their inhabitance
indicates a clean environment. Mayfly Nymphs tend to live in shallow and cool streams,
and like to shelter in the substrates in areas with sediment deposit. The more number of
Mayfly Nymphs there are, the less polluted the river or stream is. So, the more number
of Mayfly Nymphs that are found in the river, the less polluted that river is.
The river Tillingbourne was examined before going to the Mole River. It was sampled
at the middle and edge of the river. With the samples of Mayfly Nymphs collected in
the Tillingbourne River, there will be a comparison between both of the results. ADD
INFO ABOUT 2 RIVERS
Apparatus and Materials used in River Tillingbourne:
Clipboard
Impeller flow meter
Pencil
Lined paper
D net
Stopwatch
Tray
White meter ruler
Pipettes
Plastic spoon
Rubber gloves
2 pots labeled "middle" and "edge".
Apparatus and Materials used in River Mole:
Clipboard
Pencil
Lined paper
D net
Stopwatch
Tray
White meter ruler
Pipettes
Plastic spoon
Rubber gloves
Method and Reasons for the Method in River
Tillingbourne:
1. Measure the depth with a white meter ruler of the
side of the river you want to work on.
2. After this, measure the flow rate with the impeller
flow meter.
3. Then, use the D net in the side you want, and kick River Tillingbourne
the rocks from the substrate for 60 seconds in order to collect specimens.
4. Once the 60 seconds have passed, put the invertebrates you collected in a tray
with water.
5. Examine and identify the invertebrates you collected, and then put them back in
the water.
6. Now, repeat the same steps with other sides you want to sample and work on.
Method and Reasons for the Method in River
Mole:
1. Measure the depth with a white meter ruler
of the area you want to take samples of.
River Mole, Stepping Stones
2. Then, put the D net in the floor and kick the rocks from the substrate for 60
seconds in order to collect specimens.
3. Once the 60 seconds have passed, put the invertebrates you collected in a tray
with water.
4. Examine and identify the invertebrates you collected, and then put them back in
the water.
5. Now, repeat the same steps with other areas you want to sample and work on.
Controlled Variables: FINISH
D net
Same person sampling
Same time sampling
Same stop clock
Same six feet
Same day
Same week
Same area within the river
Ethical Considerations:
Put the animals back in the water.
Any trash you have, don't throw it in the river
Results
Number of Mayfly Nymphs found
RIVER TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3 TTRIAL 4 TRIAL 5
Tillingbourn 18 1 0 0 0
e
Mole 0 0 2 1 2
Mathematical Processing
The Chi-squared test has been used to analyze if there is an association between the
numbers of "animals" and the river where they are found. The degree of freedom is of 1.
The null hypothesis is that there is no association between the "animals" and the river
where they are found.
O= Observed numbers
E= Expected numbers
RIVER O E (O-E-0.5) (O-E-0.5) ² (O-E-0.5)
(mean) ² /E
Tillingbourn 19 12 7 42.25 3.52
e
Mole 5 12 7 42.25 3.52
∑ = 7.04
The critical value for 1 degree of freedom and 5% chance is 3.841. Because our
calculated value of X ² is 7.04, which is much larger than the critical value, there is a
clear, significant association between the river and the number of "animals".
The null hypothesis was rejected since is stated that there would be no association
between the "animals" and the river where they were found.
Application of your findings
THAMES WATER, SUGGEST IDEAS AND JUSTIFY
Works Cited Images
Image 1: [Link]
[Link]
[Link]
villagegreenandrivertillingbourneabingerhammer
[Link]
8356605/[Link]
Works Cited
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.
"Mayflies | EcoSpark." Mayflies | EcoSpark. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2015.