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:

http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/flow/pdf/U3/FLOW-U3-L1-MICHU-08-403.pdf (12) Print pages 5, 8, 21, 22

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

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/fisheriesmanagementplaceholder/fishingponddefault/tabid/6219/Default.aspx (13)

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)