THE DIRT: Buggin' out
Students gather macroinvertebrates during a water quality field as part of the Confluence Project.
Courtesy photo
Water quality can be measured in many ways. Some tests involve collecting water samples and analyzing them in a laboratory to determine whether the water is safe for human consumption. Other tests evaluate conditions that affect fish and other aquatic species. While these methods provide valuable information, scientists can also assess the health of a water body by examining the organisms that live within it.
Aquatic ecosystems are supported by a complex food web that begins with small organisms. Some, such as zooplankton, are microscopic and difficult to see with the naked eye. Others are larger and more visible. These aquatic "bugs," known as macroinvertebrates, live among rocks, vegetation, and sediments in streams, rivers, and lakes. Their presence can tell an important story about the health of a waterbody and the life it can support.
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