Summer
Camp 4-1997
(Part 2)
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| Today we checked the amount of salt
in the water of the Cowichan Bay area. We
went to various sites and took samples of
the water. We checked the amount of salt
by using a refractometer. This measures
the change in angle as light enters
waters. This angle varies with salt
content. |
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| PURPOSE:to
measure distribution of surface water
diluted by the Cowichan and Koksilah
rivers. Full strength seawater away from
freshwater in local waters is about 32
parts per thousand. |
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METHODS:Small
samples we taken by pipette from surface
waters along 5 transects:
- east-west transect along
north shore
- east-west transect along
the south shore
- east-west transect
bisecting the bay
- north-southtransect near
the head of the bay
- north-south transect
toward the middle of the bay
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| CONDITIONS:
Date:August 5/1997
Tide: falling
Weather: sunny, calm
Sea State: calm
Weather over previous
week: sunny, no rain
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| RESULTS:displayed
in chart of Cowichan Bay |
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| DISCUSSION:
transected. showed a
distinct decrease in salinity
toward the northern portion of
the bay. This correlates with the
main arm of the Cowichan River
which enters the bay at its
northern end.
transect a. showed low
salinity at its western end with
a dramatic rise at Skinner point.
It appears the fresh surface
water is either mixed in or
deflected south in the vicinity
of Skinner point. Skinner point
and the shore to the east
includes Bull kelp just offshore-
an indicator of moderate
currents. The rock weed, Fucus,
also starts at this point and
continues along the shore to the
east. The seaweed distributions
reflect change in current and
surface salinity.
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Page Created by
Matthew McHaffie age 12
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