testing environmental indicators Flashcards
name 3 ways we can test physical indicators.
field samples, field observation and using equipment (measuring temperature using a thermometer)
name 2 ways we can test socio-economic indicators.
using past data (looking at how much money was lost from an oil spill), physical signs of effects,
name 3 ways we can test biological indicators.
trapping, field observations, looking at past figures.
name 3 ways we can test chemical indicators.
salinity probe, PH testing, phosphorus test kit.
what is turbidity, how is it measured and what are the effects of it?
turbidity measures the cloudiness of the water, describes how much suspended solid material is in a water body.measured with a turbidity tube and effects photosynthesis.
what is light intensity what are the effects of it?
light intensity measures the amount of light reaching the surface of the water, which may effect photosynthesis. linked to turbidity.
what are PH levels, how is it measured and what effects do they have?
PH measures how acidic or base a water body is. this effects marine life and biological processes. measured using a PH probe or test kit.
what is dissolved oxygen and what are the effects?
measures the amount of oxygen in water and effects marine life as well as photosynthesis.
what is salinity, how is it measured and what are the effects?
salinity measures how much inorganic materials are in a water and how much is dissolved. it is measured using a probe and marine life is effected because of tolerance ranges.
what is phosphorus, how is it measured and what are the effects?
phosphorus is needed for the metabolism and growth of organisms, is measured using a test kit and can cause a decrease in oxygen.
what is nitrogen, how is it measured and what are the effects?
nitrogen is essential in the production of proteins, it’s measured using a test kit and can kill marine life.
what is temperature, how is it measured and what are the effects?
measures the temperature of the water, uses a thermometer and can kill off marine life because of their tolerances ranges.
what is thermal scarification?
where sediments or soil particles absorb the suns heat, heating the water up the top of the water’s surface, but temperatures are lower below because light can’t penetrate those areas.
what is a bio-marker species?
bio marker species have low thresholds for particular contaminants and therefore, their genetic structure can easily be changed, the frequency of changes is what can be measured through these species.
what is soil biota?
includes any plan, animal or microbe which lives in the soil
