November 3, 2009

Dear IWA Nature Club Parents,

We would like to welcome all of the new and returning students and hope that they had a very fun first meeting ! 

During the meeting, the students tested their water samples with a water testing strip to measure the water’s Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness (GH), Alkalinity (KH) and PH.  After the students tested their water samples, they wrote down the results on the back of their Water Sample Observation Page and Tim explained how each test related to water quality.  Please look at the information and chart below to understand the results.

Also, during the meeting the students looked for organisms in their water samples.  Test slides were created from some of the water samples and the students were able to view the organisms in the water using a microscope.  One microscope was hooked up to a projector that displayed the contents of the slide on the wall so that all the students could easily view the organisms. 

Nitrate/Nitrite

these are nutrients in the water from fertilizers and waste products on animals.  The higher the number the more nutrients, which may sound good, but causes imbalances the plant and animal population.

 

Hardness (GH)

 the amount of dissolved minerals in the water.  The higher the number the more minerals.

 

Alkalinity (KH)

this is the concentration of base ions in the water.

 

PH

this is the acidity of the water.  Both three and 4 are important for nutrient uptake for plants and animals.  Ideal is right about in the middle. The lower pH is usually the result of organic matter breakdown, but can also be from acid rain in polluted areas. Alkalinity is usually the result of the bedrock.

Ideal conditions for a  wetland would be;

Nitrate;  Low - Med 

Nitrite;  Low - Med  

Hardness (GH);  Medium

Alkalinity (KH);  Medium

 pH;  Neutral 

 Different wetlands will have a slightly different ideal conditions. Pond, lakes and streams are right about in the middle, swamps a little more acidic, bogs are acidic and fens are alkaline. These differences gives rise to the plant and animal communities that can be found at each.

**Before the next meeting on Monday, December 7th, please have your child print the following information on the front cover of his/her pronged folder:

Also, please have your child work on completing their Fall Observation Sheet if they have not done so already and place the sheet in the prongs.  (if you printed this sheet out at home you may need to punch 3 holes in the sheet).  

The students may add additional pages to include pictures of their water site at various times of the year.  View Sample Pictures

*We would love to hear from you if you or your child have any questions or comments for Tim.  Please email karenmicheli@yahoo.com with any questions/comments that you or your child may have and we will email you his reply.  If we receive enough questions/comments we may also post them on the Nature Club website so that all of the students can enhance their learning experience. 

*Future Nature Meetings will include the following topics, but not limited to;

 - For the December 7th meeting please have your child try to have your child include an organism or insects or water life.  You may be able to do this by turning over a rock or going to the bottom of the water source (without digging up the dirt) i.e. in a creek or stream.  Please try to capture something if you can

  - Continuing to study water quality and the animals on the food chain found in the water. 

  - Studying  the water sample site at various times of the year to determine if the water quality changes as a result of seasonal environmental influences.

Thank you very much for your support,

The IWA Nature Club

Tim Krynak - Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist

Roseanne Deucher

Mary Beth Schram

Karen Micheli