Using the Salinometer to record a salinity in a depth profile

At Lester Pearson College in the Marine Science/Environmental Systems classes, having the Bay handy as an outdoor lab enables us to always do several labs on quantifying the Abiotic factors in Pedder bay. Two students made up this post to explain what they were doing in class. 

Interview of Gavin by Cedar, September, 1996

lowering a collection bottle for samples at depth

Cedar: Why did you choose to go out to Pedder Bay?

Gavin: We went to learn how to use different tools to measure the abiotic factors in the bay.

Cedar: What exactly are abiotic factors?

Gavin: These are the physical factors which affect the system, ecosystem. for instance, the salinity of the water at different depths.

Cedar: What do you use to measure the salinity of the water?

Gavin: We used a salinometer connected to a probe which we lowered into the water.

Secchi disk being lowered for water transaparenccy measurement

Cedar: How do you measure the other abiotic factors and what tools do you use?

Gavin: To measure turbidity we use the secchi disc which is basically a 50cm diameter disc with lead weights attached. We lower the disk until it was just out of sight , bring it back into view and average the distance to estimate the point where it disappears. The disk is raised and measurements taken.

To measure pH we first take a sample using a water sampler , then use a portable pH meter.

Abiotic and Biotic factors being measured using a belt transect on a mudflat in Pedder Bay