Activities
of Earth Watch Patrol
Earth Watch patrol isn't all in the school recycling.
In addition we go to Muncy Creek to preform water testing and we go on field
trips. This year we went on a canoe trip for 2 days down the Susquahanna
river. Next year we may go whale watching.
learn how we figure you the Diversity Index
a description and results of the water testing.
pictures of the water testing!
Water Testing Pictures and Results
Water testing is one of the cooler things about Earth Watch Patrol. First we watch a video on how to do the water testing, then we go to Muncy Creek in picture rocks. After we arrive at Muncy Creek we walk along a small path to look for any differences in the water, as well as on the ground. After we get back from the walk,we separate into 2 groups. One group does the chemical testing, in which we test the water for hardness, oxygen content, PH value, and other related items. The other group does the physical testing, in which they measure the width and depth of the stream, the speed of the stream flow, the temperature of the water in relation to the temperature of the air, and the clarity of the water. After the testing is done we use a screen to collect animals from the stream. After these are collected we identify and sort them taking notes from each time to measure the population of different species in the stream. Then we stop to get something to eat and return to the school to do calculations on what we found to find the pollution density. On this section you will see the results and the pictures of us actually doing the testing.
Results:
Date/Conditions:
| Date: 4/15/98 | Location: Picture Rocks | Stream: Muncy Creek |
| School: Hughesville H.S. | weather: Partly Cloudy | Time: 10:00 A.M. |
Physical Measurement Results:
| Stream Temperature | 9 °C |
| Air Temperature | 19 °C |
| Steam Width | 30 m |
| Stream Depth | .58 m |
| Stream Velocity | .8 m/sec. |
| Volume of Flow | 11.136 cu. m/sec |
To figure out the Diversity Index we must do a series of calculations. The following is the steps that must be taken.
1) Determine the total number of organisms found
2) Determine the number of organisms found in each family
3) For each family do the following:
a) Divide the number of organisms from a family by the total number of organisms found.
b) Determine the log of the number found in step (a)
c) Multiply the log of the number by the number itself.
4) Repeat step (3) for each family.
5) Add all the resulting number together.
6) Divide the sum by .301. The resulting number is the diversity index.
| Animal Type | Number found | Log | Diversity Index |
| 1 | #4 Mayfly nymph | 24 | .77 | .131 |
| 2 | #5 Mayfly nymph | 98 | .15 | .109 |
| 3 | #5 red color | 2 | 2.0 | .026 |
| 4 | #5 black & yellow | 2 | 2.0 | .026 |
| 5 | Stonefly | 5 | 1.4 | .052 |
| 6 | Stonefly--longer body | 3 | 1.7 | .035 |
| 7 | # 15 Caddisfly larva | 1 | 2.0 | .015 |
| 8 | worms | 3 | 1.7 | .035 |
| 9 | Long Body/strips/6 legs | 1 | 2.0 | .015 |
| 10 | Crayfish | 1 | 2.0 | .015 |
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