Marine Science Education Test Kit

Parameter- pH What is this parameter? Measure of the acidic or basic level of a solution Scale of 0-14 where 0 is acidic, 14 is basic, and 7 is neutral Ocean pH 8.1 to 8.5 Why is it important? pH affects life and the stability of the ocean pH reliant on calcium carbonate Calcium carbonate acts as a buffer

Parameter- pH How is it measured? Colorimetric test Hand-held pHep tester Real-world example Current research suggesting pH may be decreasing due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide Data is being compared with historical readings from the past 50 years Scientists testing other parameters to determine if there are other possible causes affecting pH levels

Parameter- Acidity What is this parameter? Quantitative capacity of water to be neutralized by a base to a set pH pH determined by relative amount of free hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in water Acidity vs. acidic solutions Why is it important? Evaluate suitability of water for aquatic plants and animals Identify buffering ability of water against pH increases and decreases caused naturally and by man Regular monitoring can determine if acidity and/or pH is changing, and causes can be investigated in order to preserve the ecosystem Decay of natural substances and acid rain contribute to acidity Heavy metals more soluble in acidic water causing animals such as mollusks not to be able to make shells Increased amount of carbon dioxide decreases the pH having multiple effects on marine life Low pH has multiple effects on marine life

Parameter- Acidity How is it measured? Chemical test kit measures as methyl orange and phenolphthalein activity Titration method to determine buffering ability pHEP meter Real-world example Acid rain Food processing industry Frequent sampling by scientists to monitor environmental changes or changes in marine species

Parameter- Alkalinity What is this parameter? Quantitative capacity of a water sample to neutralize an acid to a set pH • Measure of how well a water source can buffer itself against pH changes caused by acid • Main source in the ocean is calcium carbonate and carbonate rocks such as limestone Why is it important? • Protects marine life from large pH swings • Regularly measured in treatment of drinking water and wastewater • High alkalinity protects against harmful effects of acid rain and increases in carbon within the oceans

Parameter- Alkalinity How is it measured? • Expressed in mg/L (ppm) of calcium carbonate • Chemical test kit measures as phenolphthalein activity and total alkalinity Real-world example • Soaps and detergents use alkaline reagents to enhance their cleaning capabilities

Parameter- Carbon Dioxide What is this parameter? Naturally occurring gas produced through plant and animal respiration Dissolves in water to form carbonic acid Used in Photosynthesis Why is it important? Carbonic acid formed from CO2 can lower water pH making it more acidic High levels of carbon dioxide can make water corrosive or toxic to marine life Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is stored in the ocean Increased carbon dioxide levels in the ocean make it difficult for marine animals to produce skeletons or shells, decreasing the alkalinity of the ocean

Parameter- Carbon Dioxide How is it measured? Chemical test kit measures using phenolphthalein indicator Carbonic acid neutralized to a pH of 8.3 Real-world example Carbon dioxide used in foods, beverages, fire extinguishers, and found in fossil fuels Contributor to greenhouse effect Carbon dioxide has increased within the atmosphere and oceans since the Industrial Revolution

Parameter- Specific Gravity What is this parameter? Measurement of mass per unit volume in g/cm3 Specific gravity is used to determine the mass per unit volume in a given water sample Ability of an object to sink or float Why is it important? Dense water sinks, creating currents Warm water less dense than cold Salt water more dense than fresh Mixing of different densities near the surface causes currents, especially in an estuary environments Provides nutrients through upwelling

Parameter- Specific Gravity How is it measured? Use of a hydrometer g/cm3 Pure water has a specific gravity of 1 g/cm3 Average ocean water is 1.026 g/cm3 Real-world example Fish must adapt to specific gravity Fish have evolved to deal with specific gravity Changes in specific gravity could be lethal to the fish

Parameter- Salinity What is this parameter? Why is it important? • Total number of dissolved salts in ocean water • Includes Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride • Typically stable within the oceans only varying slightly • On average, salt water is 35 ppt, but can range up to 40 ppt as in the Red Sea Why is it important? • Changes in salinity can influence changes in habitats • Plants and animals depend on stable salinity levels • Amount of dissolved salts determines the type of life present in an ecosystem • Dissolved salts can increase acidity of water • Can also be considered a Total Dissolved Solvent (TDS)

Parameter- Salinity How is it measured? Handheld conductivity/TDS tester Salinity test kit Expressed as parts per thousand (ppt) Real-world example Changes in salinity affect the density of the water Changes in salinity can affect wildlife and habitats Changes in estuaries and brackish water expected to be drastic depending on the surrounding climate and environment In drought conditions, can cause an increase of salinity Wildlife have special features to adapt to various salinity levels. For example, mangroves have waxy cuticles to eliminate water loss through osmosis. Marine fish have to drink water constantly in order to stay hydrated

Parameter- Dissolved Oxygen What is this parameter? Measure of the amount of oxygen available in the ocean Photosynthesis contributes to available supply Air-sea interactions diffuse oxygen into the ocean Amount affected by temperature and quantity of plant and algae available to produce oxygen Why is it important? Oxygen is essential for marine life Decrease in oxygen supply could mean high pollution rate or harmful algal blooms such as Red Tide Levels may fluctuate during the day due to the photosynthesis process Eutrophication leads to increased oxygen consumption Large algal blooms leads to increased oxygen consumption by bacteria decomposing dead algae Storms and turbulent waves create more surface area allowing for increased mixing of oxygen from the atmosphere

Parameter- Dissolved Oxygen How is it measured? Chemical test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Uses titration method Real-world example Oxygen must flow over the gills and be absorbed by the gill filaments in a fish or shark in order for oxygen to enter the blood stream Rapid breathing fish in an aquarium may mean low DO levels Changes in DO levels could mean climate changes DO levels monitored frequently in order to determine if pollutants are present or an algal bloom is occurring

Parameter- Nitrogen What is this parameter? 78% of the atmosphere Pertinent for plant life Found in ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates Used in fertilizers Why is it important? Sustains plant life Too much can cause eutrophication Algal blooms and overgrowth of plants may occur causing the death of other marine life

Parameter- Nitrogen How is it measured? Colorimetric measurement Real-world example Occurs through nitrogen fixation Bacteria are key players in the nitrogen cycle and nitrogen fixation

Parameter- Nitrogen-Ammonia What is this parameter? Byproduct of excretion which is broken down by bacteria to form NH3 Beginning process of the nitrogen cycle which will eventually be broken down into nitrates to be absorbed by marine plants and algae as nutrients, which in turn provides nutrients for animals Why is it important? Increased amounts of NH3 when converted to nitrates will result I an overgrowth of plants and algae. When they die and decay, a decrease in oxygen will occur, killing the fish and other animals. This is especially true in areas that have little to no water circulation such as a small pond High amounts of ammonia is lethal to all life; however, a small amount is necessary to sustain life Decreased amounts can result in not enough plants and algae being produced in an ecosystem

Parameter- Nitrogen-Ammonia How is it measured? Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Colorimetric test Real-world example In an aquarium, too much will produce large amounts of nitrates resulting in an overgrowth of brown or green algae blooms Can cause high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide or oxygen if too much or too little Can become toxic in high doses over 3 ppm Increased amounts of pesticides can increase ammonia levels around storm drains and in bays where poor circulation may occur

Parameter- Nitrogen-Nitrate What is this parameter? Nitrate is an ion with one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms - NO3 Used extensively as fertilizers Produced naturally through the nitrogen cycle Plants and algae use nitrogen to build proteins Excessive amounts can be deadly to marine life and humans Why is it important? Too many nitrates lead to eutrophication Overgrowth of marine algae or plants reduces available oxygen supply Algal blooms block sunlight, slowing photosynthesis and affecting turbidity Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of organic matter High concentrations through sewage spills or intense storms could force beaches to be closed Large amounts in an aquarium will cause an increased growth of algae and are a sign to change the water Plays a role in algal blooms that can affect fish, humans, and tourism

Parameter- Nitrogen-Nitrate How is it measured? Colorimetric test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Nitrates are reduced to nitrite in the presence of cadmium Real-world example Nitrates monitored closely throughout the ocean, specifically in low circulation areas Nitrates can cause bacteria in the intestinal track to convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin, causing fish to not receive oxygen Fertilizers for home lawn maintenance can seep into the storm drains to the ocean via runoff, causing an increased amount of nitrates in a specific area

Parameter- Nitrogen-Nitrite What is this parameter? Nitrite is an ion with one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms – NO2 Used extensively as fertilizers Produced naturally through the nitrogen cycle Plants and algae use nitrogen to build proteins Excessive amounts can be deadly to marine life and humans Why is it important? Toxic to animals in high concentrations due to its higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen Large amounts in an aquarium will lead to fish gasping for air, resulting in the need for water to be changed Nitrites will be converted to nitrates, leading to eutrophication Increased nitrogen levels can cause increased plant and algae growth

Parameter- Nitrogen-Nitrite How is it measured? Colorimetric test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Nitrites react with a chromotropic acid reagent to form a pink tint in the sample Real-world example Nitrites are monitored in groundwater due to its toxicity in animals Infants are especially sensitive to nitrites and a condition known as blue baby syndrome is possible if nitrites are present in drinking water In aquaculture, high nitrite levels in a fish pond are possible since the fish tend to be fed in excess. A condition known as brown blood disease can result from the high concentration of nitrites

Parameter- Phosphate What is this parameter? Formed from the element Phosphorus Found in DNA and ATP Important for life and plant nutrition Used in fertilizers Naturally occurring in rock minerals Why is it important? Stimulates growth in organisms Too much can cause eutrophication Can reduce the calcification process in marine organisms Too much can cause algal blooms with negative effects on the ecosystem

Parameter- Conductivity/Total Dissolved Solids What is this parameter? Capacity of a substance to carry electricity In water, conductivity is directly proportional to the concentration of dissolved solids (salts) Positive and Negative ions from sodium chloride create electrical charges Why is it important? Increased TDS, expressed as EC (electrical conductivity), may indicate presence of pollutants Can be impacted by limestone carbonates, man-made point or nonpoint sources Ocean levels are typically constant, but can have major ecological impacts in high or low fluctuations Dissolved salts can increase the acidity of the water, which can affect dissolved gases and the photosynthesis process Marine life may be adaptable to naturally occurring TDS changes such as during a storm; however, man-made changes could be lethal

Parameter- Conductivity/Total Dissolved Solids How is it measured? Handheld conductivity/TDS tester Amperometric method measures current between two electrodes Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Real-world example Conductivity must remain constant in order for the fish to survive Salt water fish cannot survive in environments that have low conductivity due to the process of osmosis

Parameter- Temperature What is this parameter? Property of a body that transfers heat to or from other bodies Provides an indication of living conditions for marine plants and animals Has an impact on dissolved gases such as oxygen, density, turbidity and many other parameters Extreme temperatures cause fish to either adapt, flee, or die Why is it important? Has an impact on physical, geological, chemical, and biological life Plays a role in climate, affecting storms and weather patterns Warm temperatures generally considered beneficial for growth of marine life Dissolved gases are less soluble in warm temperatures, affecting respiration rates Thermal pollution can raise temperature to detrimental levels or provide homes for manatees who would normally migrate to warmer waters

Parameter- Temperature How is it measured? Feature of handheld pH and EC/TDS meters Expressed as degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit Semiconductor resistance converted to C or F scale measurements Real-world example Sea surface temperatures being monitored by satellites and human samplings Fish tanks need to be monitored for correct temperature Some fish have an antifreeze-like compound to keep from freezing

Parameter- Turbidity What is this parameter? Why is it important? Provides a relative statement of water clarity Higher total suspended solids raises turbidity From natural runoff, coastal erosion, sediment circulation, man-made pollution, fresh and salt water mixing, storms, wave energy, and algal Blooms Why is it important? Visual indicator of water quality or events happening in the water such as algal blooms High turbidity slows photosynthesis May indicate increased nitrates, phosphates, temperature, or carbon dioxide levels Coral reefs depend on non-turbid waters to sustain life Beach closures and economic loss could result in toxic turbid waters

Parameter- Turbidity How is it measured? Real-world example Secchi disk Disk lowered and raised to yield two measurements Not as precise as turbidimeters, but good relative indicator Satellites Real-world example Satellites can detect algal blooms to hurricane damage and shoreline erosion based on turbidity Aids in city development Determine where algae growth is large enought to have an effect on oxygen levels available for marine fish