ENVIROTHON AQUATICS

1. ENVIROTHON AQUATICS Dianna Ramirez, M.S. EIH/UHCL

2. Outline • A) Processes & phases of water cycle • C) Methods of conserving water & reducing NPS pollution • E) Identify common aquatic organisms • H) Benefits of wetlands • I) Changes to ecosystem based on alterations to habitat • J) Methods to assess & manage aquatic environments & use WQ info • K) Laws used to protect WQ

3. http://www.in.gov/idem/water/kids/waterpix/watercycleimage2.gifhttp://www.in.gov/idem/water/kids/waterpix/watercycleimage2.gif The hydrologic cycle: Active model

4. http://www.unesco.org/science/waterday2000/Cycle.htm

5. The water cycle includes: Precipitation events: rain, fog, mist, snow Infiltration and ground and surface water flow events with eventual discharge into creeks and rivers Intercepting this process is the vegetation process of root adsorption Water enters back into the atmosphere in the form of water vapors through transpiration (plants) and evapotransporation (water bodies) Vapors condense, form clouds, and result in another precipitation event The hydrologic cycle: Water cycle active model

6. Condensation Precipitation Transpiration Infiltration Percolation Uptake Storage Evaporation Surface Runoff Water Table Groundwater Storage in depressions/lakes Processes/Phases of Water Cycle

7. Buffer Strips Retention Ponds Constructed Wetlands Porous Paving Material Sediment Fences Plant grass/lay straw @ construction sites Pump out stations @ Marinas Conservation tillage Crop nutrient management Beneficial insects Use of “gray water” Reducing (NPS) Pollution:Industrial/Construction/Agriculture

8. Reducing (NPS) Pollution:Household • Plant grass, trees, shrubs in bare areas • Plant native species • Properly dispose of household chemicals • Use fertilizers & pesticides sparingly • Put trash in its place • Recycle • Neighborhood cleanups

9. Identifying Aquatic Organisms A Simple Dichotomous Key A Key to Things Found in a Desk Drawer 1a Non-metallic .............................................................................................................. 2 1b Metallic ..................................................................................................................... 3 2a (1a) Contains rubber ...................................................................................... rubber band 2b Contains no rubber ................................................................................ post-it notes 3a (1b) All metal and flat ...................................................................................................... 4 3b All or partially metal and not flat ............................................................................ 5 4a (3a) Disk-shaped and solid .................................................................................... quarter 4b Not disc shaped .......................................................................................... paper clip 5a (3b) Sharp point at one end ..................................................................................... tack 6 5b Both ends blunt .......................................................................................... binder clip 6a (5a) Nonsharp end spherical in shape, may be plastic ..................................... map tack 6b Nonsharp end looks like a flat disk ........................................................ thumb tack

10. Identifying Aquatic Organisms:Fish • A Guide to Freshwater Ecology • TCEQ publication GI-034 • Basic fish anatomy • Common Texas fish

11. Identifying Aquatic Organisms:Birds • Observation • TPWD Fact Sheet • Project WILD Coordinator 512-389-4369

12. Identifying Aquatic Organisms:Invertebrates • Used as indicators of pollution • Intolerant: sensitive to poor stream conditions • Intermediate: moderately tolerant to degraded habitat & water quality • Tolerant: most tolerant to degraded habitat & water quality

13. Identifying Aquatic Organisms: Reptiles • Snakes • Turtles • TX Diamondback Terrapin • Sea Turtles (Kemp’s Ridley)

14. Wetlands • Cover 4-6% of Earth’s land surface • Definition: varies • USFWS Cowardin et al. 1979 • Transitional areas b/t water & land with 3 attributes • Supports hydrophytes • Substrate dominated by hydric soils • Substrate is nonsoil & saturated w/ water or covered w/ shallow water at sometime during the growing season each year

15. Wetlands: Functions • Fossil fuel production (eventually) • Flood protection • Water Quality Improvement • Nursery habitat • Biodiversity

16. Animals harvested Muskrat, beaver, nutria Waterfowl Hunting, migratory birds Fish/Shellfish 95% wetland dependent Ecosystem values Flood mitigation Storm abatement Aquifer recharge Water quality Aesthetics Subsistence Nitrogen cycle Sulfur cycle Carbon Wetlands:Benefits

17. Changes to aquatic ecosystem based on habitat alterations • Mineral & water extraction • Subsidence, hydrology changes, runoff • Pollution • Oil spills, metals, nutrients • Invasive Species • Vegetation loss • Wetland loss = ~50% in U.S. • Landscape changes • Loss of biodiversity • Changes in water quality/ water chemistry

18. Agriculture Forestry Stream channelization Mosquito control Dredging Filling Flood control Conversion to aquaculture Levee construction Seawall Dikes/Dams Water pollution Sediment retention Subsidence Erosion Sea level rise Changes to aquatic ecosystem based on habitat alterations:Causes

19. Methods used to assess aquatic environments • Surface water quality monitoring (SWQM) • Continuous water quality monitoring (CWQM) • Clean Rivers Program • Fish studies • Benthic studies

20. Utilizing water quality info to assess WQ of a body of water:Sampling Techniques • Equipment • Sonde/ test kits • Flow meter • Secchi tube/ disk • Bucket to collect water

21. pH DO Temperature Conductivity Salinity Depth Flow TSS, VSS,TDS NH3, NO2+NO3, TP TOC Bacteria Chlorophyll Orthophosphates Utilizing water quality info to assess WQ of a body of water:Parameters used

22. Laws used to protect water quality • Clean Water Act • Texas Water Code (TWC) • TX Senate Bill 503 • Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) program • TX Administrative Code (TAC) Title 30