The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 44

Water Quality Research
Additional factors monitored
include phosphorous and nitrate
levels, suspended solids, and
biological oxygen demand.

Water quantity and quality are
threatened by factors such as
deforestation, unsustainable
agricultural practices,
dumping of contaminants and
drought conditions.

Jade Woll
During the summer of 2015, Jade
Woll, from Lynchburg College,
served as the water quality intern.

Access to clean water is
critical for the success of not
only the San Luis community,
but the entire Bellbird
Biological Corridor.
Within the Bellbird Biological
Corridor (BBC), water quantity
and quality are threatened by
factors such as deforestation,
unsustainable agricultural
practices, dumping of
contaminants, and drought
conditions, which are expected
to increase this century. One of
the first steps for developing
an integrated water resources
management plant for the corridor
is to study the existing conditions
of the region’s water systems.
Dr. Tom Shahady, a professor at
Lynchburg College in Virginia,
collaborates with UGA Costa Rica
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University of Georgia Costa Rica

as the water quality research
program intern supervisor. In order
to measure water quality in the
area, water quality interns Marley
Connor (2013–2014), Kelli Williams
(2014), Steven Stran (2015), and
Jade Woll (2015) have sifted
through water samples from over
15 different sites at upper, middle
and lower elevations in the three
primary watersheds of the BBC: the
Aranjuez, Guacimal, and Lagartos
Rivers. To date, over 10 different
orders of macroinvertebrates
have been found in the samples.
Macroinvertebrates include insects,
crustaceans, molluscs, arachnids,
and amelids. They live in water
for all or part of their lives so
their survival depends on water
quality and quantity. They play a
critical role in the food chain and
are often sensitive to changes in
water quality. Thus, they are used
as indicators of water quality.

This long-term research project
has several objectives. One goal
is to establish baseline data for
each sampling site to provide a
benchmark of the current health of
the stream. A biotic index for each
site is being developed, which is
then used to measure water quality
on a scale based on the types and
abundance of macro invertebrates
collected. Sensitivity to pollution
is used as an indicator of water
quality. Another goal of this study is
to establish a clear and repeatable
methodology for sampling so that
UGA Costa Rica may continue to
study water quality and assess any
changes over time. Data collected
is presented to local organizations,
watershed man