Aquatics
2010 Study Guide
The study references listed are not an exhaustive list of sources from which test questions are drawn. Students are expected to research other sources for more information according to the learning objectives for this topic.
The numbers next to the page titles reference a list of
key points that you should be familiar with for the aquatics section of
the competition. These key points are listed at the bottom of this web page.
Anne Lyon, Director
Greenacres Water Quality Project LLC
Identification
Benthic Macro-invertebrates in Our Water
http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/html/benthosclean.html
(10-13)
Fins, Tails and Scales: Identifying Great Lakes Fish:
Lake Weed and Lake Algae Identification Chart:
http://www.clean-flo.com/lake-weeds/lake-weed-and-lake-algae-identification.html
(12-13) 2 pages
Ohio Fish Identification Guide
http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/aquaculture/OhioGuide.pdf
(13-14) (Do not print this guide. A copy will be provided to you in the Envirothon packet that you will receive from your Soil and Water Conservation District)
Wetlands
Wetlands (21)
http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/wetlands/aboutwetlands-e.cfm
Wetland Functions
http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/wetlands/wetlandfunctions-e.cfm
Riparian Zones
Benefits of Riparian Zones: (15)
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/benefits.htm
Water Use
Water Use USA (23)
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/totpie95.html
Properties of Water
USGS Physical and Chemical Properties of Water (2)
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterproperties.html
Pollution and Conservation
Summary of the Clean Water Act (24)
http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwa.html
Moving Forward on Gulf Hypoxia Fact Sheet (3)
http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/webcasts/pdf/2008_09_08_flyer.pdf
USA Water Pollution (3-4)
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watewaterpollution.html
See links What is Non-Point Source Pollution and National Pollutant Elimination
System. Ignore all the links at the bottom unless interested. (3 pages total)
Common Water Measurements (5-8)
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html
If you print, only print first 4 pages, 5th page is blank
Water Conservation USA
http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/water.htm
Aquatic Ecosystems (10, 16, & 21)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=6CA710A4-1
Watershed Delineation
We're on the Map Activity (17):
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html
Print page 4 only
Groundwater
Stream Order: Ground Water Aquifers (19)
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html
Print pages 1 and 2 only
Groundwater Depletion (20)
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/gwdepletion.html
Print pages 1-3 only
OPTIONAL:
Other Related Web-based Resources (# corresponds to Key Points):
Glossary of aquatic terms can be accessed at:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/dictionary.html
(ALL)
Ohio Stream Macroinvertebrates:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft/sqm/tabid/2534/Default.aspx
(12)
Ohio Pond Management Handbook
Ohio: Principles of Riparian Zone Protection:
http://www.noaca.org/riparianguidance.pdf
(15)
Give Water A Hand
http://www.uwex.edu/erc/gwah/
(17)
Surf Your Watershed:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
(17)
Ohio: What is Groundwater?:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/pubs/fs_div/fctsht24/tabid/4109/Default.aspx
(19)
Earths Water: Groundwater:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgw.html
Sourcewater Protection:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater/
(20 & 23)
Groundwater Wells
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwwells.html
(20)
Clean Water Act:
http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwa.html
(24)
Laws, Regulations, Policy, Guidance and Legislation:
http://www.epa.gov/water/laws.html
(24)
Hoosier Riverwatch Training Manual:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/nrec/3013.htm (2-8 & 22)
AQUATIC ECOLOGY STUDY GUIDE- Key Points
By Anne Lyon, Director
Greenacres Water Quality Project LLC
Students should be able to:
1. Identify the processes and phases of each part of the water cycle
2. Describe the chemical and physical properties of water and explain their
implications for freshwater ecosystems
3. Know the major sources of pollution and their effects on water quality
4. Differentiate between non-point source and point source water pollution
5. Know the methods used to assess and manage aquatic environments. This
includes sampling techniques and water quality parameters used to monitor
point and non-point source pollution
6. Understand the physical changes of water and how it affects the content
of suspended gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide
7. Briefly explain reasons for measuring water quality using these ten tests
(temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological
oxygen demand (BOD), nitrates, phosphates, total solids, and fecal coliform)
and how each test is used to evaluate to water quality
8. Describe how abiotic factors such as temperature, stream flow, salinity,
conductivity, nutrients, pH, DO, etc., affect water quality, aquatic life,
and human health.
9. Discuss methods of conserving water and reducing point and non-point
source pollution
10. Know their basic anatomy and ecology of macroinvertebrates and how scientists
use them to assess water quality
11. Differentiate between complete and incomplete metamorphosis and recognize
which group an aquatic insect belongs to
12. Know how to use a dichotomous key to identify plants, macroinvertebrates,
and/or fish.
13. Identify common fish, macroinvertebrates, and plants by sight
14. Distinguish between cold water, cool water, and warm water fisheries.
Be able to identify common game fish examples of each type
15. Describe the benefits of riparian areas, including both function and
value
16. Describe the changes to the aquatic ecosystem based on alteration to
the aquatic habitat
17. Delineate the watershed boundary for a small water body
18. Know how to classify a stream using stream order
19. Explain the different types of aquifers and how each type relates to
water quantity and quality
20. Understand the difference between surface water and groundwater.
21. Briefly describe the benefits of wetlands, including both function and
value and identify common wetland plants
22. Understand the process of eutrophication
23. Compare and contrast competing uses of water for water supply, hydropower
navigation, wildlife, recreation, waste assimilation, irrigation, industry,
and others
24. Be familiar with major methods and laws used to protect water quality
(i.e., both surface and ground water) and utilize this information to make
management decisions to improve the quality of water in a given situation
(Adapted from Cannon National Envirothon Website - Aquatics Competition
Key Points)