Stage 2: Fieldwork techniques and methods

• Hypothesis 1: bedload size

  1. unbiased, random sample (step into the river channel, pointed the meter stick into the water, lifted the bedload it touched)
  2. Longest axis (a-axis) measured using the lower jaws of the callipers, taken in millimeters
  3. Ten pieces of bedload were measured and an average taken. this ensured the reliable collection of data.
• Hypothesis 2: velocity

  1. Measured 10m in the channel using a measuring tape
  2. Ranging pole at 0m and 10m
  3. Cork placed 5m upstream from the first rangin pole to allow it to catch the current
  4. Using the stopwatch, we timed how long it took for the cork to travel 10m between the two ranging poles
  5. Three times were recorded (left, middle, right)
  6. Velocity was calculated in m/s
• Recording sheets

  • Organised by task to ensure that each group collected the correct data at each site and there was no duplication of data.
  • Organised into tables to make it easier to record quantitative data
  • Three cells for recording velocity and ten cells for bedload size. There was space to calculate the average results for each
• Our recording sheets allowed us to collect data efficiently (in the time available) and in an organised way. It also allowed us to easily transfer the data to a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet where it could be processed.
• Secondary Source:

  We used a 1:50,000 OS map of the Curly Burn river (sheet 4) to:

  • Select 6 suitable sites for investigation
  • Determine the land use of each site
  • Familiarise ourselves with the area before collecting data.