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Bronx River Investigation
Living Environment October 22, 2010
INVESTIGATING
THE BRONX RIVER
The Urban Assembly Academy of History
and Citizenship for Young Men (UAAHC)
IntroductionIn this unit, we are studying The World Around Us, focusing on the Bronx River. The Bronx River is approximately 24 miles long and flows from Westchester County, from north to south through the Bronx, and empties into the East River. In the Bronx, the River separates the East Bronx from the West Bronx.
Our investigation was an observational study of the biotic and abiotic factors of the Bronx River ecosystem. We made observations and collected data at the Gun Hill Road Canoe Launch of the Bronx River. Using our data, we will design controlled laboratory experiments to investigate questions and issues that we uncover from analyzing the data that was collected.
LEARNING TARGETS
I CAN EXPLAIN HOW BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS ARE CONNECTED IN THE EVNIRONMENT
I CAN DEVELOP TESTABLE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
THE DATA WE COLLECTEDWATER TESTING pH Dissolved Oxygen Temperature
Materials Used: Vernier Probes
AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATES Identification of macroinvertebrates in the
River Materials Used: Kick nets, waders,
macroinvertebrate identification guide
THE DATA WE COLLECTEDSOIL TESTING Soil Texture pH
Materials Used: Soil pH Test Kit
TERRESTRIAL MACROINVERTEBRATES Identification of macroinvertebrates in the soil
Materials Used: Spade, sweep nets, macroinvertebrate identification guides
THE DATA WE COLLECTED
WORM COUNT Raised worms from the soil Identified and counted worms
Materials Used: PVC quadrat, mustard slurry, worm identification guide.
OUR RESULTSTest Measurement
Water Temperature 11.5 °C
Dissolved Oxygen 7mg/L
River pH 7.2
Soil Quality Silt and sand
Soil pH 8.0
Macro Invertebrate Quantity
Flat Worm (2.5 cm – 15 cm) 5
Circular Worms (3 cm – 7.5 cm)
4
Centipede N/A
Slug N/A
Sowbug N/A
Round Worm N/A
Beetle N/A
Leaf Hopper N/A
WHAT’S NEXT…………Design controlled experiments to investigate
issues andquestions uncovered by our data:
Why are there more worms on one side of the river than the other?
What is the effect of changes in temperature, soil pH and soil quality on terrestrial macroorganisms?
What causes changes in the pH level of the river?
What other nutrients are important to river health?
QUESTIONS FOR FUTURE INVESTIGATION
What is the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in the Bronx River? Look for macroinvertebrates at different locations
in the Bronx River What are ideal soil conditions for
macroinvertebrates around the Bronx River? Additional soil testing Test multiple locations
What is the general health of the Bronx River? Comparison of nutrient levels and evidence of
pollution to species abundance and biodiversity around the Bronx River.
THANK YOUWe would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who helped
to make this investigation a success!
Kim Notin, Cary Institute for Ecosystems Studies
Damian Griffin, Bronx River Alliance
Matthew Piazza, Columbia University Medical Center
Teresa Willis, Middle Passage Middle School
UAACH Staff: Ms. Hudson, Mr. Acevedo, Ms. Riviere
Our Living Environment Teacher: Ms. Comer