WQ Lesson 7: Bioindicators

Match

Match the following

• High turbidity

• Low turbidity

• Causes of Eutrophication

• Effects of Eutrophication

Cloudy, many suspended solids

Clear, few suspended solids

Excess nitrates in water

Algae bloom, O2 drops

• Cloudy, many suspended solids

• Clear, few suspended solids

• Excess nitrates in water

• Algae bloom, O2 drops

Match

Match the following

• Why clean water?

• Point Source Pollution

• Nonpoint Source Pollution

• Cold water

• Warm water

Health of humans

One source; pipes, stacks

Scattered sources; agriculture

Holds more gases, less solids

Holds less gases, more solids

• Health of humans

• One source; pipes, stacks

• Scattered sources; agriculture

• Holds more gases, less solids

• Holds less gases, more solids

Multiple Choice

Which site would this bioindicator most likely be found in?

• Site 2

• Site 3

Multiple Choice

Why do scientists use bioindicator species?

• A.

  To compare freshwater and saltwater organisms

• B.

  To count the number of organisms present

• C.

  To monitor water quality and biodiversity

• D.

  To analyze dominant species

Multiple Choice

Which site would this indicator be found in?

• Site 1

• Site 2

• Both

Multiple Choice

Which makes fish excellent bioindicators of a watershed's health?

• A.

  Fish live for only a short period of time

• B.

  Fish live in the water for a shore portion of their life span

• C.

  Fish differ in their tolerance to the amount and type of pollution

• D.

  Fish are frequently moving through the different columns of water

Multiple Choice

Which will happen to a biological indicator species if there is a sudden increase in pollution?

• A.

  Increase in population and quality of the individuals

• B.

  Decrease in population and quality of the individuals

• C.

  They will reproduce at a lower rate but maintain population numbers

Multiple Choice

Why would this bioindicator not be found in site 3?

• A.

  The temp is too warm

• B.

  The temp is too cold

• C.

  pH is too high

• D.

  Dissolve O2 is too low

Multiple Choice

Which stream would have the lowest water quality?

• A.

  Stream X; Dobsonfly larvae

• B.

  Stream W; Beetles

• C.

  Stream Z; Leeches

• D.

  Stream Y; Water Penny larvae

Multiple Choice

Which organism would make a good bioindicator?

One that is...

• A.

  endangered

• B.

  tolerant of only slight physical or chemical changes

• C.

  reached its carrying capacity

• D.

  not sensitive to slight physical or chemical changes

Multiple Select

Which stream would have the highest water quality?

• A.

  Stream X; Dobsonfly larvae

• B.

  Stream W; Beetles

• C.

  Stream Z; Leeches

• D.

  Stream Y; Water Penny larvae

Multiple Choice

Which site would this bioindicator be found in?

• A.

  Site 4

• B.

  Site 7

• C.

  Both

Open Ended

How does using bioindicators help scientist determine the health of a water system?