Orphan Environmental Science

Earth and Environmental Science – Field Report
• Statement of purpose:
A study was carried out in Orphan School Creek to see how human impacts/activities have affected the area. Orphan School Creek may be a local area but that does not mean it is kept clean and in good shape as many biotic and abiotic features of the environment have been affected by humans.

• A clear and detailed definition of the area studied:
A number of abiotic features of Orphan School Creek include:
- Creek Water
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Oxygen
- Conglomerate
- Shale
- Limestone
- Gravel
- Chert
A number of biotic features of Orphan School Creek according to a pdf of “Creeks in Trouble” by Fairfield City Council include:
- Rhus tree
- Fleabane
- Wandering Jew
- Castor …show more content…
From observation, I estimated that the water was going to be more turbid as it looked quite thick and not clear. I expected high levels of salinity in the water and neutral levels of PH. The PH level was 8.5 and there were high salinity levels in the water.

- Rocks present:
Some of the rocks present in Orphan School Creek include:
 Conglomerate
 Shale
 Limestone
 Gravel
 Chert

- Soil Analysis:
The overall PH level of the soil in the creek and footpath was neutral. There was low salinity in the creek soil and I predict that there was also low salinity in the footpath soil as it wasn’t tested. Phosphates and nitrates were not tested but organic and moisture content was tested. In the soil that was collected from the creek, there was 0.16% moisture in it and 84.26% organic content. In the soil collected from the footpath, there was 6.30% moisture and 93% organic content.

- Vegetation:
Some of the vegetation present in OSC includes:
 Fleabane
 Wandering Jew
 Castor Oil Plant
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