A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes

EVENT PARAMETERS: No reference materials are permitted during the competition. Non- programmable calculators may be used. 

THE COMPETITION: Each station will be approximately 15 minutes in duration and may include analysis, interpretation or application of charts, graphs and sample data. Supervisors are expected to utilize “lakes, ponds, or rivers” scenarios and have students analyze and evaluate comparative macroinvertebrates and water quality data. This event will include fresh water and estuarine ecology. Process skills may include equipment use, collecting and interpreting data, measurement, calculations, classifying, inferences, and variable analysis.

Part 1 An exam will use multiple choice and/or short answers in areas such as aquatic and estuarine ecology, water cycle, aquatic chemistry and its implications for life, potable water treatment, waste water treatment, aquatic food chains and webs, watershed resource management issues, sedimentation pollution and exotic/invasive/harmful, species.

Part 2. Macro-flora and fauna Station-will include the identification of macroinvertebrates & aquatic nuisance plants (only common names), their importance as indicators of water & wetland quality.

*also includes adults

Aquatic Nuisance Plants: Purple Loosestrife, Eurasian Water Milfoil and Water Hyacinth.
Aquatic Nuisance Animals: Zebra Mussel; Spiny Water Flea and Asian Tiger Mosquito (Adult)

Part 3. Water Monitoring and Analysis Station Students are expected to understand and interpret data related to testing procedures and purposes for collecting data related to salinity, pH, phosphates, turbidity dissolved oxygen, temperature, nitrates, fecal coliform, alkalinity, total solids and biochemical oxygen demand and their relationship to one another, but no actual testing. Teams must build, bring and demonstrate a salinometer/hydrometer capable of measuring saltwater concentrations between 1-10%.