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The characteristic that were measured were temperature (physical), pH (chemical), conductivity (chemical), percentage of dissolved oxygen(chemical) and the presence of certain indicator species (biological) (Courtney, 2014). Using all the data collected from the above examples, a Trend Biotic Index, was carried out. The Trend Biotic Index (TUB) is a qualitative sampling of the different habitats using a hand net (Basis and Basis 2012). Livingston and Livingston (1978) say that an index of species diversity is a single number that combines information both on number of species present in a collection.
According to their study, if a healthy water sample was contaminated by a pollutant it would start to eliminate many species therefore the species that survive would have the ability to multiply. This observation is the basis of how the TUB calculates the water quality of a source. The Trend Biotic Index (TUB) was developed by the Trend River Authority in England in 1964 and it was the first modern bio assessment according to Basis and Basis (2012).
The index rates water on a scale of O (extremely polluted) to 10 (low levels of pollution) due to the richness of six different groups of invertebrates due to their ability to withstand amounts of pollution. (Basis and Basis 2012). The usage and limitations of the TUB in relation to other indices will be discussed later in the report. The value recorded from the Trend Biotic Index will also be compared with the physical and chemical characteristics .
This ensures the results are accurate firstly to guarantee that the TUB number is not mislead due to unnatural conditions and to see if the characteristics have a relationship with the TUB number. Studies carried out by Menses-Oliver et al. (2014), OBJECTIVES: 1 . Investigate the water quality of three different habitats in Co. Limerick using Trend Biotic Index, indicator species and the chemical characteristics of the water. 2. Identify and classify different specimens from water samples using identification keys. 3. To calculate the Trend Biotic Index value for each habitat. 4.
To measure different chemical characteristics of each water sample. MATERIALS: Buckets (for samples), kick sampling net (0. Mm mesh standard), gloves, camera, plastic trays, plastic pipettes (with tops cut off), Petri dished, compound microscope, light microscope, slides, sample of water. METHODS: 1) Kick Sampling (method according to ABA) HTTPS://www. ABA. Org. UK/sites/default/files/CourselnvertSampIingProtocol. PDF 1 . Three minutes of kick/sweeping motion moving around in ankle deep water using a kick sampling net. The typical sampling method for streams and rivers involves a three minute kick/sweep sample including all habitats. . The total sampling time was divided proportionally to the habitat areas that were identified. The pond net was placed on the riverbed. In an area just upstream of the net the riverbed was disturbed through a foot kicking motion. 3. A net was wept through an area o collect weeds. 4. A one minute hand search was done in the area and large stones were rubbed gently in the water and carried downstream into the net. 5. A white tray was filled with river water and lowered into the net and carefully turned inside out. The contents were collected and brought back to the lab for examination. . An extra minute of searching for other animals that could be in the habitat was done when sampling the pond. 2) In the laboratory: A) Examining the invertebrate community. 1. Sub samples of the samples found at the end of every desk. 2. Three Petri sizes were filled with samples of the specimens found in the sample using plastic pipettes that has no tops. 3. The Petri dishes were taken back to individual desks and identified using identification keys through looking through the compound microscope. 4. All the identified species were noted. B) Water Chemistry Data: 1 .
Jars of the water source were found at the sides of the benches in the laboratory. 2. Samples of the water were places into a beaker and four tests were carried out 3. % Saturation of Oxygen: An oxygen saturation probe was placed into the sample after washing with De-noised water and the percent results were tote. The probe was washed with De- noised water again 4. PH: A pH probe: A pH probe was placed into the sample after washing with De-noised water and the results were noted in pH units. The probe was washed with De- noised water again 5.
Conductivity: A conductivity probe was placed into the sample after washing with De-noised water and the results were noted in as/CM from the meter. The probe was washed with De- noised water again 6. Temperature: The temperature was noted in degree Celsius from the three probes mentioned above. The meters also measured temperature. RESULTS: A) Observations: Tablet . Observations made on each water sample Water Sample Observations Surcharges Lake Lentil habitat (not very oxygenated) Organic and vegetative matter present in sample Newport River Benthic Habitat with stones and pebbles.