Environmental science

• I took at least 3 samples from different mid-river locations and calculated a mean result.
• Soil moisture analysis involves measuring the mass of the soil moisture sample, recording it, and determining when all the moisture has evaporated.
• Investigation 4 involves researching the aquatic benthic invertebrate community to determine if organic pollution may be present.
• Organic pollution can come from various sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and household waste.
• Organic pollution can have various impacts on the abiotic condition of the river, including changes in pH, oxygen levels, and temperature.
• A group of species with a range of sensitivities to a particular abiotic condition is referred to as a sensitivity group.
• The Big 6 are used to write the method used to collect valid data from the River Otter.
• The results of the research question can be interpreted by returning to the research question and explaining why the data was concluded as it was.
• The Simpsons Index of Biodiversity should be the same if all data collectors calculated it on their results, indicating a standardised method.
• The biodiversity of the river is fixed, meaning the species present are not changing.
• The river is at risk of eutrophication due to the presence of dissolved minerals.
• The dissolved minerals in the river are coming from geological sources such as pebbles and substrate in the river.
• The water in the river is slightly acidic due to the heathland habitat and geology.
• The water quality data should be summarised as follows: high levels of nitrates, phosphates, and dissolved minerals, with a slightly acidic pH.
• The limitations in using colourmetric test strips are subjectivity due to perception of colour varying between people and less precision than a digital pH meter which can record data with 2dp.
• The water quality data should be analysed by pooling class data and calculating mean values for each abiotic factor.
• Turbidity in water is caused by suspended solids, which can decrease the amount of light in water and damage or clog the gills of aquatic species.
• The turbidity meter works by transmitting light, when it hits sediments it is scattered, the scattered light is detected, and the greater the amount of scattered light, the higher the turbidity.
• The turbidity meter should be calibrated using a known value or sample and comparing the value from the machine, enabling equipment errors to be identified and adjusted.
• The water samples were representative of the river.
• The method used to collect data should be reliable if all data collectors calculated the Simpsons Index of Biodiversity and got the same result.