Collecting Data

    Collecting data is important to understand an environment.  However, in designing experiments for water monitoring it is important to collect data before and after storm events to see changes when pollutants enter the system.

    The data that your class collects is only one point which will add to a database created by the data other visitors to the Tule Ponds have collected.  Thus knowledge of how to collect data is very important, so that accurate measurements may be taken and recorded.

    There are several types of data your class will be collecting:

            1.  DIssolved Oxygen ( needed for organisms to live)
            2.  Temperature ( can affect the amount of dissolved oxygen in water and organisms that live in the water)
            3.  Biological ( Types and abundance of organisms with scientific names)

    The following equipment will help your class collect this data:

            1.  KICK NET

This 1 x 1 meter square, 500 micron, white mesh net is designed to meet the requirements of groups performing USEPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for benthic invertebrates. Features hemmed sides for poles and reinforced bottom seam for anchoring.

            2. ARMORED THERMOMETER
 

A precision, NON MERCURY thermometer, furnished in a protective plastic
 jacket with window opening. Engraved graduations on white tubing increase
 readability over the full range of –5° to 45°C in 0.5° increments.

 
 

            3. TEST KITS

                       Test kits use different chemical methods to determine pH, heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates.
 

            4. MICROSCOPE