The central themes of the River Lab program are water quality and human impact on the biotic and abiotic features of the Hudson River Estuary. Throughout the course students will be monitoring the growth of the Eastern Oysters (Crassotrea virginica), which will serve as bioindicators that represent the "health" of the estuary system. The oyster research we participate in is part of ongoing Hudson River restoration projects. The science areas that we will focus on include environmental science, water chemistry, oceanography, meteorology and biology. Although this will be primarily a science course, guest speakers and field trips will enable us to explore interdisciplinary topics and local political issues, such as, open space/waterfront access, community development, design, geography and the history of Hudson River watershed and New York Harbor . Some of the field work/hands-on activities will include oyster measurements, microscope observations, fishing, water testing, boat building and rowing. The Pier Park & Playground Association (PPPA) in conjunction with The Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) have arranged for us to have access to indoor facilities each class day for up to 15 students. The course is geared towards upper level science students with good attendance at CAS, who have successfully completed high school biology, have an interest in the outdoors and the study of environmental science.

Water Quality Research Course, Cycle 4, 2001, C -180, 6659 1 credit science (1C)

Week 1

Tue. 4/24/01: Orientation: tour facility/safety/grading policy/attendance - MEET AT CAS, 8:45 AM and walk to Pier 40. How did the NY harbor/Hudson River Estuary shape the history of our city?
Topics will include NYC drinking water, the watershed and geography.
Assignment 1: students will monitor their water usage at home for one week (DEP Water Report Card)

Thur. 4/26/01: What are the abiotic factors which affect water systems? An introduction to water chemistry. Don Betts of Floating the Apple will discuss the program, tides, maritime science and boat building. Assignment 2: use tide charts to plan a rowing trip around Manhattan.

Week 2

Tue. 5/01/01: What are the quantitative variables one can measure to study water quality?
Fraidy Aber of the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) will be present to do water chemistry testing (pH, DO, Salinity, Temperature). DEC will provide YSI equipment to compare digital salinity data to chemical test results. Assignment 3: correlate salinity data with tide charts

Thur. 5/03/01: What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative studies? How do oysters fit into the local ecology? Invertebrate zoology and biology of oysters. Local water quality studies/stewardship/enforcement. Students will conduct Lettuce Seed Bioassays. Assignment 4: Write bioassay lab report introduction and material/methods

Week 3

Tue. 5/08/01: Biodiversity/food webs: What are the producers/primary consumers of the local estuary?
Fraidy Aber of the Hudson River Park Trust will be present to lead a plankton lab. Macro/microscopic observation of phyto/zooplankton. Student draw/label/ID organisms. Assignment 5: Check Bioassay results & complete lab reports

Thur. 5/10/01: What is the current status of Hudson River oyster populations? field trip to The River Project - We will visit and tour this local scientific research facility to compare and contrast oyster growth data and learn techniques for studying native estuary organisms. Assignment 6: Reaction paper to oyster populations article

Week 4

Tue. 5/15/01: What are the variables that affect oyster growth? Students will conduct monthly oyster data collection. What is point and non-point source pollution? Kate McLaughlin of the DEC and Evan Weisman of the River Keeper will serve on a panel to debate the issues surrounding water quality legislation the dumping/dredging of PCBs Assignment 7: Prepare monthly data report for the Baykeeper

Thur. 5/17/01: What is the best habitat for Eastern Oysters? How will the estuary benefit from oyster reefs?. Michael Stringer of the NY/NJ Baykeeper will be present to discuss the Oyster Gardening program and the restoration efforts to reestablish oyster beds in local waters. Assignment 8: Read oyster reef article and describe variables that contribute to creating sustainable reefs.

Week 5

Tue. 5/22/01: What are the factors one must consider before designing a waterfront park?
Stephen Cassel and Adam Yarinsky, artists from Architecture Research Office (ARO), will lead a "precursor to design" workshop (part 1). Assignment 9: park design data

Thur. 5/24/01: How does the setting and infrastructure of Pier 40 affect the development of a public waterfront park? ARO workshop part 2. Tobi Bergman of The Pier Park & Playground Association will review the plans of the proposed Pier 40 Park. Assignment 10: River Bank State Park field trip permission slips/final project proposals

Stephen Cassel and Adam Yarinsky are 2000 Artists Fellowship recipients of New York Foundation for the Arts. The presentation is co-sponsored by Artists & Audiences Exchange, a public service program of the NY Foundation for the Arts.

Week 6

Tue. 5/29/01: What is waste water and how is it treated? Field trip to River Bank State Park water treatment plant. (coordinated by Kim Estes-Fradis of the DEP) We will use our time at the Park to discuss open space and water front access. Assignment 11: Park design assignment

Thur. 5/31/01: What lives in the Hudson River? Taxonomy of marine/estuary organisms. We will check our various traps and discuss biodiversity in our local waters and around the world. Assignment 12: Construct local food webs

Week 7

Tue. 6/05/01: What are the top consumers in the Hudson River Estuary food web? What are NY agencies doing to monitor fish populations? Kate McLaughlin of the DEC, NYC will be present to lead a microscopic analysis of fish scales and study local fish of the Hudson Estuary. Assignment 13: Final Project draft

Thur. 6/07/01: How can the Hudson River be a vital resource for public use? Don Betts of Floating the Apple will conduct a boat building/rowing workshop. Assignment 14: Final Project due

Week 8

Tue. 6/12/01: Final Project Presentations. Oysters will be measured and a final report to the Baykeeper will be generated. We will have a project celebration following presentations and if weather conditions permit we will venture out rowing on the Hudson River.

New Topics Covered in 2001/2002 Academic Year: Overfishing, Biofilms and Biodiversity in our oyster nets.

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