Stream Laboratory
Messalonskee Stream

ORGANIZATIONAL OUTLINE OF STREAM FIELD TRIP

One part of this lab will involve a visit to the Oakland sewage treatment plant and an adjacent lentic area of Messalonskee stream. Following a description of the operation of the treatment plant, we will collect aquatic animal and plant life associated with this area of the stream. We will attempt to measure the effect of the treatment plant on aquatic insect diversity by sampling the stream banks above and below the point where the sewage plant effluent enters the stream. For a specified period of time, teams will collect along the bank upstream from the effluent pipe, while the other teams will collect along the downstream bank. After collecting, the class will regather to compose a list of the types and numbers of aquatic insect species found in each of these two lentic areas.
For the other part of the lab we will study a lotic area of the same stream. After a brief description of the lotic habitat, the class will collect aquatic insects and regather to compose a list of insect species found at the lotic site. Following these activities the class will return to Olin 213 and 223 to analyze water samples obtained from the stream.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL TEAMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM WATER ANALYSES AND TO FILL OUT AND TURN IN TO THE INSTRUCTORS A DATACARD FOR EACH WATER ANALYSIS PROCEDURE PERFORMED.

LAB OBJECTIVES:
Oakland sewage treatment plant

1. Learn basics of operation of treatment plant and impact of effluent on aquatic ecosystems.

2. Observe impact of effluent on stream adjacent to discharge pipe.
   
3. Learn biotic components of a lentic stream ecosystem.
   
   1. Collect and identify typical plant and animal species.
      
   2. Compose species list of aquatic insects from lentic site.
      
   Lotic area of stream
   
   4. Observe water quality of stream approximately one mile downstream of effluent discharge.
      
   5. Learn biotic components of a lotic stream ecosystem.
      
      1. Collect and identify typical plant and animal species.
         
      2. Compose species list of aquatic insects from lotic site.
         
   Water analyses
   
   6. Measure some abiotic factors which distinguish lentic and lotic sites on a stream, and assess the impact of sewage treatment plant effluent on the water quality of the stream.
      
      1. Physical factors
         
         1. temperature and dissolved O2
            
         2. pH
            
         3. Secchi disc (turbidity) and light
            
         4. alkalinity
            
      2. Plant nutrients (including use of Kemmerer water sampler)
         
         1. nitrates
            
         2. phosphates
            
         3. hardness (calcium + magnesium)
            
      3. Decomposition products
         
      4. hydrogen sulfide
         
      5. tannin/lignin