Rhys Wall

Revision Sheet: Fieldwork (Question 2)

Content and Context
To investigate the characteristics of riffles and pools and their role in the formation of meanders at Norton Brook, Taunton

Specification
1. To state the aim of the investigation.

Examination Question(s)
Jan10 state the aim of your investigation and describe one method of data collection associated with the aim (6 marks) Note: use 4. To help with this question.

2. To describe the location for Norton Brook, Taunton was a desirable location because we the investigation and explain knew it had suitable characteristics such as riffles and pools why it was appropriate. which were required for the investigation to be successful. The location was near to the college and meant that the investigation could be completed in 1 day. The area is publicly accessible, so no permission had to be sought from the landowner. The river is unlikely to flood given the time of year of the investigation. Risks were minimal, and where they did exist, they were simple to minimise. The river is small enough to be practically analysed without the need for expensive equipment, such as a boat. 3. To describe and explain the initial theory of the study. The basic theory of riffles and pools. The theoretical concept that riffles and pools tend to occur along the channel of a river at 5-7 times the channel width. A riffle is a build-up of deposited sediment that causes a turbulent flow, which concentrates the erosive force to one bank, laterally eroding it to cause bends that are referred to as meanders. The fieldwork was based upon the theoretical channel characteristics that this should cause, such as disparities in velocity and sediments. 1

Jun09 describe the location of your fieldwork and outline why this was a suitable site for your investigation (4 marks) Jan11 In the box provided below, draw an annotated sketch map of the location of your study area to show its basic characteristics (5 marks)

Jan09 Explain the geographical concept, process or theory that underpinned your fieldwork enquiry (4 marks) Jan10 How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the geographical theory, concept or idea, on which your investigation was based (8 marks)

Rhys Wall 3. To understand some of the risks that had to be managed during the course of the investigation. The railway line was near to the location and posed a risk of death/serious injury. This was managed by instructing everyone to stay well away from the tracks. Slippery Surfaces gave a risk of falling/slipping and was minimised by telling everyone to wear sturdy shoes. Dirty water could have caused illnesses such as Wiles disease. The hazard was minimised by not drinking the river water and informing a GP of any subsequent unusual illness. Personal illness such as asthma or allergic reactions. Managed by avoiding triggers and informing all other group members. Collected from the environment agency and the local council websites because these are reliable sources of detailed information. Allowed us to conceptualise the area and how it is affected by the river, for example, the recurrence interval (RI) of floods and how the river is currently being managed (the purpose built floodplains that are below the car park on the other side of the B3227 and the culvert that takes the water there). The highest flood recorded is 2.59m. The secondary data was also used as part of a risk assessment. The river level typically varies from 10cm to 1m in depth, making it a safe location for surveying. Jan09 How did you respond to risks associated with undertaking your primary data collection? (4 marks)

4. To outline some secondary data used, why it was researched and how it was useful in the enquiry.

Jun10 Describe one method that you used for the collection of primary or secondary data (6 marks) Jan11 Distinguish between primary and secondary sources of information used in your fieldwork enquiry (3 marks)

Rhys Wall 5. a) To be able to state one hypothesis; b) how it was investigated; On average, velocity will be higher in riffles than in pools. Equipment; 2 ranging poles, a tape measure, a meter ruler, a flow meter. Systematic sampling; velocity is recorded with a flow meter at 20% and 80% of the channel depth (where depth exceeds 20cm) or at the middle depth (where depth is less than 20cm). Take the measurement at 10% intervals of the channel width. Method; 1. Hold the flow meter at the correct depth (measured with the ruler) at the correct place in the channel (measured with the tape measure). 2. Wait 30 seconds and record the value on the flow meter. Isovel diagrams; visually show that velocity in pools has a much larger range, with more lower values. This is also supported numerically by the overall mean velocity in the average results table. Pools have a higher hydraulic radius (efficiency) because lateral erosion deepens them. This means that the velocity in a pool does not have to be as high for discharge to be the same. Jan09 Outline and justify one method of primary data collection that you used in your enquiry (6 marks) Jan09 With the aid of a sketch diagram, outline one technique that was used to present data in your enquiry (6 marks) Jun09 State one hypothesis or research question or issue for evaluation that you have investigated. Describe one method of primary data collection used in this investigation (5 marks) Jun10 Outline one technique that you used to present results from your data collection (4 marks) Jan10 Describe one method used to present your data (5 marks) Jan11 with reference to one technique you chose to present data in your enquiry, justify the choice of this technique (6 marks) Jun09 Discuss the limitations of one method of primary data collection (6 marks) Jan10 Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of one method of data collection

c) how it was presented and analysed analysed;

d) how it can be explained;

e) why there were limitations, The flow meter is liable to inaccuracy. and what they are People who are standing in the channel may divert the flow and make the data unreliable. The velocity will vary with the time of year and the weather, so the single investigation may not give a fair representation of the rivers velocity if we visited on a particularly rainy day, for example. This means that the study would benefit from being extended.

Rhys Wall 6. To understand how and why a spearman's rank was used to analyse the results. The coefficient was used to see if there was a correlation between 2 sets of the primary data (velocity and sediment size). Use a table to give each value a rank for the 2 sets of data. Find the difference, square it and use the formula to substitute the values. The value (always between -1 and 1) was 0.42, so there was a positive correlation. However, the coefficient was below the degrees of freedom, so the link cannot be proved genuine. Spearman's rank was used because it gives an objective numerical value of a correlation rather than a subjective observation of a line of best fit on a graph. Standard deviation was used to measure the dispersion (range), of results. I calculated the standard deviation for sediment size in riffles and a separate standard deviation for sediment size in pools, so that the dispersion could be compared. Because the standard deviation figure for pools was considerably higher than that of riffles, it can be said that pools have a larger range of sediment sizes. This was a better measure of dispersion than calculating the inter, upper and lower quartile ranges because standard deviation is more reliable. Proving 4 out of 5 of my hypothesis has enhanced my understanding. Having fulfilled the aim, I can now link the idea of riffles and pools forming meanders to a field situation. However, the study has showed that it is difficult to apply textbook theories to the field because of the complex nature of the physical environment. The higher maximum velocity in pools has contextualised the theory of energy loss to the wetted perimeter and how this may concentrate the erosive power of the river on the outside of the meander. 4 Jun09 Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic (5 marks) Jan10 How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the geographical theory, concept or idea, on which your investigation was based (8 marks) Jun09 Outline and justify one or more technique(s) used to analyse your results. (5 marks) Note: If you are required to calculate a spearman s rank or standard deviation in question 1, then the figures you require and the formula will be given to you.

7. To understand how and why standard deviation was used to analyse the results.

8. To explain how the conclusions of the enquiry link to the aim and initial theories.

Rhys Wall 9. To evaluate the enquiry, outlining the main limitations and suggesting improvements. There were a wide range of limitations that reduced the value of the enquiry, when quoting these for an exam question, you must quote their impact on the results: y Inaccurate equipment such as the flow meter y Difficulties in controlling variables such as the flow being diverted due to people standing in the channel. y Human bias when collecting data for sediment size. y Only a small section of the river was sampled y The river was only sampled at one time of year. A number of improvements could be made to the investigation: y Purchase new, more accurate equipment. y Alter the sampling method to control variables more effectively. y Extend the study be returning to the same sites at different times of year (different discharge expected). y Sample different sections of Norton Brook, to analyse changes along the rivers course. Jan09 Making specific reference to results, suggest how your enquiry could be improved (5 marks) Note: You do not necessarily need to memorise your results, any numbers that are absolutely essential will be given to you. To answer the above question, reference to statements such as mean velocity might be higher if the study was repeated in January would be just as creditable. Jun10 Evaluate your investigation, commenting on the strengths and weaknesses and suggesting improvements (7 marks) Jan11 Explain how your fieldwork enquiry could have been improved (6 marks)