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Transparency is all about clarity. The group that tested it got 15.15
NTU, which is average or fair for a river. NTU, or Nephelometric Turbidity
Units, are a measurement of the amount of light scattered through a
substance. This number was reached by finding the average between the
turbidity tube and vernier probe. A turbidity tube was used by filling the tube
up with water from the river. A secchi disk is in the bottom of the tube, so
that it is filled up to the last point where you can still see the disk through
the water. A way to get better results and make the river healthier is to
reduce pollution and urban runoff.
The biotic index test is seeing how many creatures are in the water.
The goal for every river is to have a variety of living things. A student from
the group went into the river with waders and a net. They kicked around the
bottom so that the aquatic life could drift from the bottom and into the net.
Once there, the students picked out the macro-organisms and identified
each. The Pike River happened to have a biotic index of 2.6 out of 4.0. The
number is fine, but could be better. A way to make it better is to, again, not
pollute and take care of all the other tests.
Habitat is one of the more important tests because it really controls a
lot of results for the others. A rating is given for different categories, such as
channel alteration or vegetation. The ratings are on a scale of 1 to 4. The
Pike River varied in each category depending on if it was on the left or right
bank. Overall the river was 32.5 out of 40. If the river is healthy, it has no
pollution, not a lot of erosion, and vegetation & animal life.
Stream flow is a test thats number can always change. It is judged by
the depth, width, and velocity of the river. The stream flow can alter a lot
depending on the speed of the river and amount of water in it. If the flow
alters drastically, its bad for the river. Two groups went out to test the river.
Pike Rivers stream flow was 9.4 cubic feet per second. However, in an area
about 70 feet away from the first group, the stream flow was 8.7 cubic feet
per second. To make the river more healthy, one can eliminate pollution and
take out any large objects that may be changing the flow.
An alkalinity test was taken while at Pets. Alkalinity is the ability to
neutralize acid. The group that tested got 115 milligrams per liter. This result
is normal because it is between the ranges of 20 to 200 milligrams per liter.
Dissolved Oxygen tests the quality of dissolved oxygen in the water,
and how much plants and animals use. When tested, it was 8 milligrams per
liter and 85% saturation. The oxygen levels were averaged after nine
different tests. A healthy saturation level is 71% to 90%, any higher is
excellent. Above 5 milligrams per liter is a good result. Some factors that can
increase the numbers are high pressure, cold water, excessive amounts of
plants, or clarity. Therefore, Pike River tested very well.