30 November 2020
Assessing the relationship of
Urban Blue Infrastructures (UBI)
and Aquatic Ecosystems in the
City of Amsterdam
Examiner: Dr. Verena Seufert Assessor: Dr. Albert Tietema Supervisor: Bep Schrammeijer MSc
1 Table of Contents 1. Summary 2 2. Introduction 3 3. Theoretical Framework 4 4. Research Aim 6 5. Research Questions 7 6. Methodology 7 7. Time schedule 13 8. Funding 14
9. Insurance and Safety 15
10. Equipment 18
11. Data Management 18
2 1. Summary
Urban blue infrastructures (UBI) is a relatively new concept which is used to describe all forms of urban water bodies in a city. This includes either natural or artificial water spaces which sustain a critical role in managing ecological connections for biodiversity, regulating urban microclimate and human health (Zhou and Wu, 2020). UBI, like urban green spaces, provide cities with multiple functions and ecosystems services that have ecological, economic and social benefits for humans and other species. As the City of Amsterdam continues to expand, little is known regarding how urbanization and UBI typology can directly influence ecological conditions which in return affect ecosystem services. Therefore, this research aims to classify various UBI identified in the City of Amsterdam and assess its relationship to water quality to determine the health of an ecosystem. A set of key performance indicators (KPI) are used to quantify water quality and aquatic biodiversity to determine the health of the ecosystem. Additionally, it is significant to determine how urban landscape patterns can influence UBI ecosystems. By identifying the relationship between aquatic biodiversity, water quality and UBI typology, planners and environmental regulators can have a comprehensive understanding of what UBI is favorable for key ecosystem services. This research can further suggest how the City of Amsterdam should continue urban development with the inclusion of UBI in the planning phase to prioritize aquatic ecosystems.
3 2. Introduction
Urbanization has increased globally with more people living in cities today than a decade ago. The City of Amsterdam is no exception to this global pattern. The migration of more people to the City of Amsterdam places an additional pressure on the city to increase traditional grey infrastructure like housing, water management resources and transportation systems that make it a livable area. Yet urban blue infrastructures (UBI), which includes all blue spaces in an urban area, is often neglected in urban development unless it is associated with water management. As the City of Amsterdam continues to grow, little is known regarding how urbanization and UBI typology can directly influence ecological conditions which in return affect ecosystem services.
A new area of study emerged to close this gap in urban development known as urban ecological infrastructures (UEI). Li et al. (2017) defines UEI as the integration of blue (water-based), green (vegetated), and grey (non-living) landscapes with the addition of “exits” (outflow treatments) and “arteries” (corridors) at an ecosystem scale. UEI plays a fundamental role in the future of sustainable urban development and a city’s ecological integrity. Moreover, this approach integrates design, engineering, planning and technology to solve environmental issues and reduce the environmental impacts of urban development on natural ecosystems (Li et al., 2017). However, a holistic approach to sustainable urban planning is only possible with a thorough understanding of each component of UEI. Urban blue infrastructure (UBI) is one important area within UEI which has not been fully developed in the realm of sustainable urban planning of cities.
In fact, the term UBI is a relatively new concept used to describe essential urban ecosystems. Zhou and Wu (2020) define UBI to include all forms of bodies of water in a city, either natural or artificial, dynamic or static, which sustain the basic requirements for running and developing a city. Similar to urban green infrastructure (UGI), UBI emerged as an alternative to traditional grey infrastructure which provides necessary ecosystem services for a healthy city. However, unlike UGI, UBI is more commonly incorporated in research and planning related to water treatment and management. Recent studies have shown that UBI play a more significant role in ecological and ecosystem services than previously understood.
Although several studies are now emerging on the topic of UBI, there is still a knowledge gap on how to categorize UBI and assess the link to healthy aquatic ecosystems in urban areas. Therefore, an assessment of UBI can further support the role of evidence-based planning in the development of blue spaces to prioritize water quality in urban areas. By studying this particular area on the key roles UBI plays in improving urban environments and maintaining ecological balance, urban development can benefit from multiple goods and services (Li et al., 2017). The objective is to emphasize UBI within urban planning to optimize its multi-functionality in terms of social, ecological and economic benefits. As urbanization continues to impact the City of Amsterdam, the concept of UBI is important to diversify the city’s urban landscapes and support healthy urban living.
4 3. Theoretical Framework
In light of climate change, there is a necessity for urban development to incorporate a more focused approach on UBI within urban planning to make cities more resilient to environmental issues. This requires a new approach of thinking and innovation which promotes sustainable urban systems. Li et al. (2017) provides a first look at a framework for UEI which can enhance urban ecosystem services and regional sustainability. This approach breaks away from traditional grey infrastructure development and incorporates a more ecological approach to planning. It establishes a method of viewing how to make a more sustainable urban system focused on green (vegetated) and blue (water) spaces. The study also takes into account “exits” and “arteries” which define waste and channels in an urban system. The study however discusses the significance of blue spaces in an urban system from a green space focal point. It lacks a more detailed assessment of how UBI can directly correlate to urban ecosystem services.
A distinction between the types of UBIs in an urban system is an essential concept to study in order to comprehend how it may affect urban ecosystem services. This strategy of creating classifications or typologies is already implemented in studies related to UGI, however, there is yet to be a focus on how to develop a typology for UBIs. Dennis et al. (2018) maps UGI with a method that uses remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The method includes combining land cover, land use and landscape metrics in order to associate similar characteristics and attributes into categories. This results in typologies which are useful for social-ecological research. In a similar approach, Ruan et al. (2019) uses high spatial landscape resolutions to identify landscape indicators which assess water quality in urban streams. Remote sensing and GIS techniques offer a new method for how to categorize physical landscapes and functions into typologies which can engage policymakers and planners in effectively developing strategies.
An important element which compliments the use of spatial data analysis tools is the identification of indicators. A study by Brown (2017) discusses that effective management of urban ecosystems relies on the set of indicators as a tool for the management of targets and defining such systems in a variety of environmental management contexts. For a study to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ecological benefits UBI can have on urban areas, it is necessary that the study includes a set of indicators to measure targets and performance. Rodrigues et al. (2016) further supports the argument that the term “key performance indicators” (KPI) is a term synonymous to “indicator” yet it also specifies that it is measuring sustainability performance of eco-design implementation and development. The use of KPI in the field of sustainable development is further supported in a study by Meng et al. (2021), where it determines that the use of this term helps distinguish studies in urban sustainable development.
Therefore, KPIs offer a new perspective on what specific indicators are necessary to determine how UBI can affect urban ecosystem health. Water quality is among the most significant KPI for urban surface waters. The US Environmental Protection Agency (2017) states that urban surface waters take on large amounts of pollution from various sources which creates public and environmental health hazards. Yet if managed correctly, urban waters can yield positive impacts
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for communities and the environment. Said et al. (2004) similarly argues that water quality criteria for protection of beneficial uses is required to encourage recreational use, provide a good environment for species and protect drinking water resources. The study further identifies key variables that construct a water quality index (WQI). The WQI includes dissolved oxygen (DO), fecal coliform, turbidity, total phosphorus, and specific conductance. These variables are significant KPI which determine water quality across various surface waters in an urban area.
Moreover, the identification of benthic macroinvertebrates also serves to assess water quality. A study by Rose et al. (2016) determines that the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates to assess water quality are the most used organisms for biomonitoring. These organisms are found in small water bodies and are fairly easy to sample and identify. Kenney et al. (2009) further supports this argument by stating that macroinvertebrates can be utilized to identify impaired waters, determine aquatic life stressors, set pollutant load reductions, and indicate improvements. These qualities make aquatic macroinvertebrates well suited to compliment chemical KPI for assessing water quality across several UBI.
In addition to assessing water quality based on a range of KPIs, it is significant to also focus on the potential relationship between water quality and the type of UBI from which water is assessed. This link between UBI and water quality can serve as a basis for which blue spaces are prioritized for conservation and protection. Yet there is no current research focused on this type of classification of UBI to assess its relationship to water quality and biodiversity. A study by Bartesaghi-Koc et al. (2019) serves as one of the few examples where the classification of urban infrastructure typologies is discussed in conjunction with high ecological urban landscapes. The study, while researching green spaces, provides a method for how to categorize UGI in urban landscapes to cluster similar spaces with each other and from this assess their efficiency to ecosystem services (Bartesaghi-Koc et al., 2019). This research concludes that a healthy urban environment is dependent on the relationship between UGI typology and urban ecosystem services, which can similarly be argued for UBI typology and urban ecosystem services.
For a comprehensive assessment between UBI and urban ecosystem services, it is significant to also focus on the definition of urban ecosystem services. Tan et al. (2020) discusses two possible interpretations of urban ecosystem services, one refers to the ecosystem services which are produced from natural or semi-natural spaces within urban boundaries. The second definition identifies urban ecosystem services as the services in, of, or pertaining to cities as urban ecosystems (Tan et al., 2020). While the latter definition attempts to incorporate all services applicable to urban ecosystems, in doing so it also broadens the possible interpretations to include services produced by urban citizens. To provide an accurate representation of ecosystem services that are determined by ecological components the definition of urban ecosystem services is defined in the report as the services produced from natural or semi-natural spaces within an urban boundary.
Tan et al. (2020) further classifies urban ecosystem services based on four types of ecosystem services identified in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). The first is provisioning ecosystem services which look closely at the production of goods and services from
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an urban system. Examples of this ecosystem service include stormwater management from green roofs or food production from urban gardens. Regulating ecosystem services is characterized by how a service helps mitigate or control systems like urban heat island effect and carbon sequestration. Then there is supporting ecosystem services, which de Groot et al. (2002) identifies as habitat function, but similarly consists of the idea that the service has a function for biodiversity conservation and protection. Lastly, there are cultural ecosystem services which link to social aspects like recreational, social and/or cultural values (Andersson et al., 2014). These four ecosystem services are important for a well-balanced urban environment. De Groot et al. (2002) further states that often these ecosystem services are not recognized until they are lost, “but they are nevertheless essential to human existence on earth.”
A study by Larondelle and Lauf (2016) takes this conceptual categorization a step further by determining that urban planning benefits more from the demand and supply of urban ecosystem services. In essence, it is significant to define the type of ecosystem services necessary for a healthy urban environment in order to provide the necessary blue and green infrastructure to meet the need. For urban areas to protect essential urban ecosystem systems, it is important to focus on the different infrastructures that comprise an urban area. Zhou and Wu (2020) approach their research by specifically studying this missing link between urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) supply and demand with the development of a spatial data analysis tool to optimize urban development based on a set of indicators. The research concludes with a platform used to identify UBGI service demands and land supplies available for planning optimization.
The study of UBI typology offers a new perspective for how urban areas can develop more sustainably. While studies are looking more closely at the significance of urban blue spaces, there is still no clear development of an UBI typology. A typology can further serve to clearly define blue spaces in an urban context. More importantly, it is a useful way to present data to decision-makers who control how urban development takes place. By understanding the various categories of UBI in a city, it offers new insights on what type of structures need prioritization for the protection of key urban ecosystem services.
The formation of an UBI typology also helps to understand the missing linkage between the structure and water quality. There is currently little understanding for how water quality is directly associated with attributes of urban blue spaces. Yet, studies have asserted that water quality is an important factor for a healthy urban environment. For this reason, it is significant to comprehend these two factors which in return support urban ecosystem services. The study of these links between UBI typology, water quality and urban ecosystem services are the basis for how sustainable urban development can further advance in the next decade.
4. Research Aim
As the City of Amsterdam continues to grow with population, it is important to understand how urban development can continue in a nonintrusive way. In order for urban development to be more sustainable it is necessary to understand these different components of urban environments. However, there is still limited knowledge on how the type of UBI in an urban area can directly
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associate to healthy urban living based on water quality assessments. For this reason, the aim of this MSc thesis research is to provide a new approach for how UBI can be categorized to study the relationship between water quality and aquatic biodiversity. By studying this link between UBI and water quality an opportunity arises for how the City of Amsterdam can be designed to conserve and expand UBI which are beneficial to the urban environment.
5. Research Questions
The main purpose of the research is to study how UBI can complement urban development to prioritize water quality and aquatic biodiversity to improve the City of Amsterdam’s resilience to climate change issues. Therefore, this research focuses on the following main research question and supporting research questions to test the hypothesis. The sub-questions are designed to support the main question and to provide a well-rounded framework for how the research is performed.
Main Research Question
● What type of urban blue infrastructures (UBI) exhibit favorable water quality in the City of Amsterdam?
Sub-Questions
● What are the different UBI identified in the City of Amsterdam?
● Which type of UBI shows a linkage between key performance indicators (KPI) and favorable water quality?
● How does aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity differ across different UBI?
● What does the aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity across UBI typology reveal on the ecological quality?
Hypothesis
● If an UBI in the City of Amsterdam contains natural (or semi-natural) flowing water with vegetation on the banks, then it contains favorable water quality which supports aquatic biodiversity.
The fundamental aim of these research questions is to comprehend how different UBI have an influence on water quality and reveal what role UBI plays in supporting aquatic biodiversity.
6. Methodology
6.1 Study Region - City of Amsterdam
The City of Amsterdam has a population of about 820,000 people living in an area of about 220km², which results in the second largest population density in the Netherlands. There are 7 interconnected districts in the city center and an additional district south of the city which is also governed by the City of Amsterdam. Amsterdam is recognized among one of the greenest cities in
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Europe and continues to invest in the protection of green spaces as the population increases (Gemeente Amsterdam, n.d.). In fact, the City of Amsterdam released a strategy report in 2011 titled Structuurvisie Amsterdam 2040 (Structural Vision Amsterdam 2040), which outlines the municipalities efforts to protect and conserve nature spaces for a more attractive living environment. The surface area of the city is also covered with about 35% water (Gemeente Amsterdam, n.d.). In efforts to protect these surface waters, the City of Amsterdam released a second strategic report in 2016 specifically for water infrastructures, titled Watervisie Amsterdam
2040 (Water Vision 2040). The diverse and large area of blue and green spaces in the City of
Amsterdam make the city an ideal location to carry out the research.
6.2 UBI Typology
To create a classification of the various UBI in the City of Amsterdam, high resolution spatial data needs to be collected of urban water spaces, water management areas, urban development, and general landscape patterns in the city. Table 1 provides an overview of the different datasets that are necessary in order to create a UBI typology in the City of Amsterdam. The objective is to gather 2-m to 15-m spatial resolution data in order to obtain a finer imagery, which Ruan et al. (2019) discusses is necessary to distinguish between little differences in a study region. Morphological characteristics of UBI which include water body type, area, length, shape, connectivity and vegetation presence serve as the main attributes which are to be used to consolidate categories for the typology. The categorization of UBI is performed through a clustering analysis method adapted from a study by Farihna-Marques et al. (2016). The method explores the correlation among the variables to form a construction of patterns involving principal components. Thus, a typology for UBI can be identified from this cluster analysis method.
Table 1. Data for UBI Typology
Data Source Proposed Use
Global Surface Water Explorer
European Commission
Provides surface water data which can be used to verify data from other sources and
potentially offer higher spatial resolution databases.
Basemap of generic surface water types in the NL
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
This data can serve as an initial assessment of surface water cover in the Netherlands.
Surface waters in the NL
GeoWeb - Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijksoverheid)
Data from here can be used to verify all surface waters have been accounted for in comparison with data from the City of Amsterdam.
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City of Amsterdam boundaries
City of Amsterdam (Maps.Amsterdam.nl)
Study region is defined from this dataset to include the 8 districts in the City of
Amsterdam. Urban blue spaces in
Amsterdam
City of Amsterdam (Maps.Amsterdam.nl)
Most recent blue spaces identified by the City of Amsterdam can be collected to start the typology of UBI.
Urban green spaces in Amsterdam
City of Amsterdam (Maps.Amsterdam.nl)
Green landscape cover and ecological hotspots can be gathered from this dataset to see
relationships with blue spaces. Urban development
and landscape in Amsterdam
City of Amsterdam (Maps.Amsterdam.nl)
Assessment of general urban land cover is useful to determine its relationship to water quality in each UBI research site.
Vegetation and environment cover in the NL
Atlas Living Environment and Atlas Natural Capital (Rijksoverheid)
This data can be useful for information on how vegetation has affected what type of UBI is found in different areas of Amsterdam.
Waternet Ambient Heat Map (Omgevingswarmte Kart) Waternet (Research and Innovation Program)
Waternet’s ambient heat map provides
additional surface water data that may be useful in the verification of surface waters.
-- Waternet (Research and Innovation Program)
There may be additional data Waternet has available from the Research and Innovation Program which links to water quality or biodiversity and is useful for UBI research.
6.3 Water Quality Assessment
Based on the number of UBI that result from the typology created in Section 6.2, the objective is to then collect water samples from five different locations per category for optimal statistical analysis. A field form needs to be completed for each location to gather general information related to the sampling location setting. Figure 1 displays an example of the field form which details the information collected at each sampling location. Five samples per location are collected and transported to the laboratory that same day.
Once in the laboratory, different methods and techniques are used to assess six KPIs (listed in table 2) to determine water quality per location based on UBI typology. A turbidity meter is used to find the intensity of the reflected light which provides information on the degree of turbidity of the water sample in Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU). DO is measured using a sensor available at the laboratory to determine the quantity in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Total phosphate and nitrate can be measured in an autoanalyzer which provides quantitative results in
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milligrams per liter (mg/L). Escherichia coli (E. coli) is also tested by performing a membrane filtration technique and then a direct plate count to assess the colony-forming units (CFU).
Dissolved metal testing is performed twice, once in the field and a second in the laboratory. In the field single-used test strips are used to assess the concentrations of copper, iron and zinc. Once in the laboratory a second test is performed using an atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method to determine if these three metals are present in the sample.
11 Table 2. KPIs tested in the Laboratory
Key Performance Indicators Units
Turbidity NTU Dissolved Oxygen (DO) mg/L Total Phosphate mg/L Nitrate mg/L
Escherichia coli (E. coli) CFU
Dissolved Metals (copper, iron and zinc) ppm
6.4 Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assessment
Table 3 lists the nine aquatic macroinvertebrates which serve to assess UBI’s aquatic biodiversity in the City of Amsterdam with respective images of the species. The aquatic macroinvertebrate index is adapted from studies by Rae (2019) and Rose et al. (2016) as well as the IVN Nature Education. Prior to the assessment of aquatic macroinvertebrates, a second field form (figure 1) is completed to account for changes in the environment that may be relevant in the data analysis.
Once the field form is completed, the assessment consists of observing which aquatic macroinvertebrates are present or absent in the original locations where water samples are collected (Section 6.3). It is significant to have the coordinates for the original sampling locations noted in the field forms during the first visit, so they are accurately revisited during the macroinvertebrate assessment. Similar to the study by Rose et al. (2016), this data can serve to assess the water quality score, referred to as health score in the report.
12 Table 3. Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Species tested in the City of Amsterdam
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Species Image of Species
Caddisfly
(Image: Freshwaterblog, 2017)
Water Strider
(Image: National Wildlife Federation, n.d.)
Pool Snail
(Image: Tropische Vissen Gids, n.d.)
Water Spider
(Image: Tomasinelli, n.d.)
Water Boatman
(Image: Dungeness River Center, 2017)
Yellow-edge Water Beetle (Image: Hamrsky, n.d.)
13 Water Scorpion (Image: Visser, 2004) Leech (Image: Soors, 2017) Stickleback (Image: Herder, n.d.) 7. Time schedule
Table 4 includes the projected timeline to carry out the MSc thesis research from December 2020 to May 2021. This time schedule includes a framework for the three methodologies that are performed - spatial data analysis, fieldwork and laboratory assessments.
The first two months consist of spatial data analysis to create the typology for UBI in the City of Amsterdam. This part of the research is conducted using pre-existing data to perform spatial data analysis using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The first part of the thesis research is scheduled until January with potential overlap into February if more time is needed to complete this section.
After the first part is completed, the research is focused on the fieldwork of the research starting in February. This part of the research is carried out at different locations in the City of Amsterdam to gather water samples from each type of UBI that results from the initial part of the spatial data analysis. An assessment of different KPIs are performed at each location and water samples are also collected in order to perform the third part of the research which is part of the laboratory research. In order to provide ample time for laboratory analysis, the water samples need to be collected in February after the typology classification of UBI has been completed. While it is important to have the typology completed before starting to collect water samples, a more general categorization of UBI needs to be done beforehand to serve as a starting point for water sampling locations if further time is needed to complete the initial part of the research.
The laboratory analysis follows closely after water sampling has been completed at the start of March in order to assess water quality based on the KPIs discussed in the methodology section of the report. Laboratory assessment is projected to take between two weeks to a month (as discussed with the lab technicians), therefore, the statistical analysis part of the thesis is initiated in April. A significant component of this research is also the study of benthic invertebrates
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to look at aquatic biodiversity. However, season is an important factor for testing aquatic macroinvertebrates; therefore, this part of the water quality assessment cannot be performed during the first fieldwork part of the research in February-March. Instead, a second visit to the locations is to take place in April to assess aquatic invertebrates. This assessment is to run simultaneously with the statistical analysis from the laboratory assessments for initial results.
Once the second fieldwork is completed no later than the end of April, the results can be included in the statistical analysis to assess the hypothesis of the research. For the written report, it is expected that writing can commence starting in January-February as each part of the research is conducted. By starting to write sections of the report throughout the research, it shall give ample time for peer review and feedback from the University examiner, supervisor, and other academics. A first draft of the thesis is expected by the end of April with results still pending from the second fieldwork assessment. The final report shall be expected no later than the end of May. Table 4 provides more details on the timeline for the thesis research and general tasks that are performed.
Table 4. Research Proposal and Thesis Planner
8. Funding
The research consists of spatial data analysis, fieldwork and laboratory assessment, which is carried out in the City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Therefore, costs to carry out the research is expected to be minimal since no long-distance travel is expected for the fieldwork. For collecting water samples, the locations shall remain within the City of Amsterdam which remain accessible through public transportation or through the use of a bicycle. The spatial data analysis will be conducted using ArcGIS Pro Professional Advance, which has a cost of USD $3,800.00 per year (Euro €3267.00 per year). The University of Amsterdam has provided an active license for a year to perform this part of the research using a personal laptop. If needed, the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) has a GIS Studio with several desktops that have ArcGIS Pro software installed and available to master students at the University.
Furthermore, the equipment that is needed to perform the fieldwork assessments, such as pH and electric conductivity meter, is to be borrowed from the University’s Climate-Controlled
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Laboratory equipment. Discussions with Dr. J.M. (Merijn) Schuurmans, the Lab Manager of the Aquatic Microbial Ecology Lab, has confirmed that laboratory assessments discussed in the methodology can be performed at the University’s laboratories in Science Park. This will reduce the laboratory assessment costs since testing is covered as part of a thesis research under the IBED.
The only costs that may be accrued throughout the research includes the cost for extra materials needed to safely package and identify water samples collected. These costs are associated with the proper transportation of water samples from the field locations to the laboratory. The combined cost shall not exceed more than €50.00 associated with materials such as labels, plastic packaging and a cooler to transport the samples safely to the laboratory. Most of the costs to perform this research is covered through resources available through the University of Amsterdam. Table 5 provides more information on the budget details for this research.
Table 5. Budget Plan for Research Proposal and Thesis
Item Quantity Cost/Unit Total Cost (in €)
ArcGIS Pro Professional Advance
1 € 3,267.00 € 3,267.00 Digital Multiparameter Water
Quality Test Meter
1 € 25.00 € 25.00 Water sampling equipment set
(tubes, bottles, cooler, etc.)
5 € 20.00 € 100.00 Laboratory Analysis
(Eurofins Scientific 2019, n.d.)
6 € 50.00 € 300.00
Materials (pens, markers, labels)
1 € 30.00 € 30.00
Total Expenses (in €) € 3,722.00
9. Insurance and Safety
As I will be performing the thesis research within the City of Amsterdam, there are no extra requirements for travel and equipment insurance. The University of Amsterdam does require that I complete a Field Declaration form (see figure 2) in order to perform the water sampling part of the research as part of outdoor activities in the framework of a Master study at the Faculty of Science. The Field Declaration form has been submitted to the Service Desk of the Education Service Center at Science Park as of November 3, 2020. Therefore, the approval of the form indicates I have adequate insurance coverage that applies to all fieldwork and outdoor activities performed during the two field visits that are conducted in the research.
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The safety precautions I need to abide by in the research pertain to the fieldwork and laboratory testing that is conducted in the City of Amsterdam and the University facilities. When conducting fieldwork in the City of Amsterdam, I am always advised to have a second person present for precautionary measures. This is meant to serve as a safety measure in case extra assistance is needed in the field and/or there is an emergency. The fieldwork is always therefore conducted in pairs and my supervisor and examiner shall be informed of my scheduled dates for outdoor activities.
The University’s Climate-Controlled Laboratory also requires that I take a guidelines and safety tour of the facility prior to working in the laboratory. This will ensure that I am aware of the regulations and instructions in case of an emergency. It is for my own benefit as well as my peers that I abide by the rules and regulations to ensure a safe environment. Additionally, I shall sign a form stating that I am aware of the potential risks associated with working in the laboratory and have a proper understanding of how to minimize these risks. A laboratory technician is also required to be present at all times while working in the facility to ensure a safe environment. These requirements are to be followed in order to ensure a successful thesis research project.
17 Figure 2. Field Declaration Form
18 10. Equipment
Table 6 lists the necessary equipment to carry out the research for this thesis project. The list noted below has been compiled based on the methodology discussed in Section 6. The equipment and materials are provided by the University of Amsterdam either for field testing or in the laboratory facilities. The table includes a column which discusses the purpose for each equipment that will be used in performing this research.
Table 6. Equipment List
Equipment Purpose
Digital Multiparameter Water Quality Test Meter
The digital multiparameter water quality test meter is essential for testing pH and electric conductivity of each water sampling location which provides additional data for assessing water quality.
Water Sample Cooler The water sample cooler is necessary to safely transport the water samples collected in the field to the laboratory at UvA Science Park. Measuring tape The measuring tape is necessary to define the sampling locations in a
5m x 5m area and to measure the depth of the sampling locations. Test Tubes Test tubes are important for the water samples and to not cross
contaminate the samples with each other between transportation to the laboratory.
Sieve A sieve is needed to perform the aquatic macroinvertebrate assessment of the research.
Autoanalyzer The autoanalyzer is needed to quantify the total phosphate and nitrogen concentrations present in the water samples.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)
The AAS is used to determine the presence and concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in the water samples.
11. Data Management
This research follows the FAIR Data Principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) to ensure that all data is made findable and accessible to those who request more information. All data that is not self-owned, but used in the research, shall be referenced to the original author. The data that results from this research needs to be organized into an interoperable format for other academics and researchers to use. Furthermore, all data included in the report shall have clear statements for its usage and source history for it to be reusable. Lastly, the work performed during the MSc thesis research will abide by the University of Amsterdam’s Code of Conduct and maintain professional academic practices to ensure academic integrity.
19 12. References
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de Groot, Rudolf S., et al. “A Typology for the Classification, Description and Valuation of Ecosystem Functions, Goods and Services.” Ecological Economics, vol. 41, no. 3, 2002, pp. 393–408, doi:10.1016/S0921-8009(02)00089-7.
Dungeness River Audubon Center. (2017, August 29). Freshwater Macroinvertebrates in the Dungeness [Photograph]. Retrieved from
https://dungenessrivercenter.org/park/ecosystems/freshwater-macroinvertbrates Eurofins Scientific 2019. (n.d.). Packaging, Order Form and Logistics. Retrieved from https://www.eurofins.nl/en/environment/downloads/packaging-order-form-and-logistics/ Freshwaterblog. (2017, January 27). Caddisfly larvae tend remarkable underwater ‘gardens’ [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://freshwaterblog.net/2017/01/27/caddisfly-larvae-tend-remarkable-underwater-gardens/
Gemeente Amsterdam. “Districts and Neighbourhoods.” City of Amsterdam, 6 Nov. 2020, www.amsterdam.nl/en/districts.
Gemeente Amsterdam. “Policy: Green Space.” City of Amsterdam, 6 Nov. 2020, www.amsterdam.nl/en/policy/policy-green-space.
Hamrsky, J. (n.d.). Great diving beetle (dytiscus marginalis) [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://lifeinfreshwater.net/water-beetles-coleoptera/#more-2190
Herder, J. (n.d.). Tiendoornige stekelbaars [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.ravon.nl/Soorten/Soortinformatie/tiendoornige-stekelbaars
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