Water Quality Monitoring for Lower Burdekin Wetland Health
The aim of this project is to educate upper primary school students in what Macro-invertebrates are and how they can be monitored to help access the health of water ways in the area. This project is sponsered by NQ Dry Tropics.
Project Background
Burdekin Shire council funded and supported BBIFMAC Inc in the start of the Macro-invertebrates and waterway health in schools project.
The aim of this project is to educate upper primary school students in what Macro-invertebrates are and how they can be monitored to help access the health of water ways in the area. The children were given a demonstration of how macro-invertebrates are collected and then had the chance to help identify them (to order level) using laminated identification sheets. Once they have been identified a pollution index score will be given for the waterway. This was then discussed along with possible reasons for the score.
Overview
Macro-invertebrate sampling has been taking place in various locations in and around the Burdekin Shire. Students have been given demonstrations. Students have participated in identifying
Macro-invertebrates and discussing how that is then an indication of stream health. Also conducted were water tests with the students, this included Nitrate and Phosphate Levels using Testing Strips. EC, pH and Turbidity testing were also included in the demonstration. With all these factors students were able to experience a holistic approach to healthy waterways.
Students and teachers were fascinated and enthusiastic in finding the large range of Macro-invertebrates in their waterways. The feed back has been positive and also a useful tool in their school science programme.
