Available online
Description
Explains the use of the biotic index as a measurement of river quality. Contains film of key animals found at various points along the River Tame.
Explains the use of the biotic index as a measurement of river quality. Contains film of key animals found at various points along the River Tame.
| Module code and title: | PT272, Environmental control and public health |
|---|---|
| Item code: | PT272; 03 |
| First transmission date: | 19-04-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:15 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Jackson |
| Contributors: | Frank Clough; David Holland |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Biotic index; Sewage effluent; Tame river; Water pollution |
| Footage description: | Titles over close up of sewage fungus in a polluted river: the Tame, north of Stockport. Frank Clough describes the features of its pollution, and demonstrates how iron sulphide is produced, giving characteristically black mud. Shots of the river at Saddleworth. Map shows three sampling points used in the programme: a paper mill at Saddleworth, a sewage works outfall south of there and an unpolluted section upstream at Delph. David Holland samples the river at Delph Bridge, explaining what is meant by the Biotic Index. Studies of all the animal life found in the sample, seen under the microscope. The complete list of species is printed in the broadcast notes, and are listed on a screen caption. The biotic index at this point on the river is 8. Map shows other sampling points. Frank Clough describes the sewage treatment processes at Saddleworth works. Shots of filter beds, screening, grit separating, primary settling tanks, and sewage mixing with activated sludge in aeration tanks. Activated sludge under the microscope is described. Shots of filter bed stones and brief explanation of the organisms thereon. Shots of discharge to river. David Holland describes sewage fungus, as seen under the microscope. He samples the river at Wellihole Bridge, 1km from the Saddleworth sewage outfall. The sample contains chironimides and tubificids. The biotic index is 2. Map. Clough considers reasons for this low biotic index. Laboratory tests for toxicity are carried out on fish. Map shows next sampling point: Milton Mills, 2.5 km. downstream of Wellihole. Holland samples the water here. The biotic index here is 5. A list of the pollution tolerant fauna found appears in the Broadcast Notes. Finally Clough summarises the variations in quality found at the different sampling points. Map. Explains that the low biotic index is a result of too much sewage effluent being pumped into the river. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71700 |
| Production number: | 00525_5183 |
| Videofinder number: | 2886 |
| Available to public: | no |
