The term pH is a measure of the degree of the acidity or the alkalinity of a solution when it is measured on a scale (pH scale) of 0 to 14. The midpoint of 7 on the pH scale represents neutrality, a "neutral" solution that is not alkaline or acid, but in the middle. Numbers below 7 indicate acidity; numbers greater than 7 indicate alkalinity. The pH scale is logarithmic which means that moving on (unit either way on the pH scale results in a 10 fold increase in the degree of alkalinity or acidity.
The pH factor is ecologically significant in many ways. Different animals and plants require a certain pH in their environment (i.e., in the air, water, soil, etc.) to grow and thrive. While most living organisms must reside in a very neutral pH level (from about 5 to 7, the best being around 6.5), others prefer a more basic (alkaline) or acidic habitat, depending on their needs. Levels of pH can change naturally- if there are more toxins is more contamination of other materials in an area, the pH levels will go farther up or down. .
Macroinvertebrates are animals without a backbone, and can be seen with the naked eye, though they can be very small. Aquatic macroinvertebrates spend part or all of their life cycle in water. The main groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates are worms, snails, crustaceans (such as prawns and marron) and insects (i.e., mayflies, stoneflies, beetles, and caddisflies). For many of the insects only the larval stages are truly aquatic.
Macroinvertebrates are important to the ecosystem because they provide nourishment and energy to other animals. At nearly the bottom of the food chain, they are fed upon by aquatic animals like amphibians, fish and large insects. Those animals are eaten by small land-dwelling animals like birds and small mammals, which are in turn consumed by reptiles, large mammals and birds of prey.
Some macroinvertebrates can withstand the pollution or toxins of creeks, lakes or streams better than others, so they will be found more frequently in those areas, while the less tolerant will appear to be rare.
Nitrate levels are ideal between 0.9 to 3.15 ppm. Lastly, the phosphate levels in natural waters should be below 3 ppm (Water Quality, n.d.). Macroinvertebrates are present in rivers and streams. ... We found seven different macroinvertebrates in the stream (Table 1). ... As a group,Scuds can be found in a wide range of pollution levels. ...
