News / river avon
Volunteers needed for vital river health research
The Bristol Avon RiverBlitz is back in July for its 11th annual edition and once again invites residents to do their bit for local river health.
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART), the charity dedicated to restoring rivers and connecting communities to their local waterways, is recruiting budding citizen scientists to join the action at a river, stream or wetland of their choice over July 25 – August 2.
Participants, which normally amount to around 300 volunteers, collect water samples and record observations about the health of their chosen watercourse.
The samples will be used to test for the presence of phosphates and nitrates, key indicators of pollution and water quality.
Volunteers receive a water testing kit including a colour chart that indicates the pollution level of the water
While the nutrients occur in healthy ecosystems, artificially elevated levels due to sewage, agricultural run-off or domestic or industrial waste can can lead to excessive plant and algal growth, reducing oxygen in the water and harming aquatic life.
“This is a great opportunity for people to help make a difference to an environmental problem which is high on the national and local news agenda,” said Amy Wade of BART.
Volunteers who register will receive a water sampling kit and instructions for the simple activity which involves using strips that change colour depending on the nutrient makeup of the water and takes only a few minutes.
BART works to reconnect communities to their local rivers, and to conserve and enhance the status of Bristol’s waterbodies for current and future generations
The results, along with observations of key features of the waterway, litter or wildlife present, are then uploaded to an online platform.
“The Bristol Avon RiverBlitz is our biggest volunteer event of the year with hundreds of families, friends and individuals heading to their local river to make their contribution to improving river health,” Wade added. “We are always delighted by the level of participation, which helps us build a detailed snapshot of river health across the catchment”.
The RiverBlitz data pinpoints pollution hotspots as well as demonstrating where the charity’s efforts are helping to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Find out more and register to take part at bristolavonriverstrust.org/riverblitz/register
All images: BART
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