Guidelines for Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems Guidelines have been established by federal and provincial governments to protect aquatic life. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) published Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life. These guidelines are used for management purposes.

Qualitative Water Analysis Lab There are 10 stations around the room, including the microscope. You will move through the stations with your group, completing each test. You will have 6 minutes per station. Make sure to read the instructions carefully! The ammonia and nitrate station: rinse the test tube with the available distilled water.

Analysis Questions on second page of Water Analysis Lab are due, on a separate sheet: Monday, September 22. Pond Dipping tomorrow = It’s supposed to be HOT! Bring your own water, dress appropriately. - You will be gathering your own samples to observe. - If you have rubber boots to wear, bring them 3. We will only be going for fourth period. There will be a lab to complete with pond dipping.

Dissolved Oxygen Guideline: It is a lack of oxygen, not excess, that causes problems for aquatic life, particularly animals. Research has concluded that a minimum value of 5 mg/L of DO would support life in aquatic ecosystems. In winter though, under the ice, fish can tolerate dissolved oxygen levels as low as 3 mg/L. WHY?

Phosphorus guideline: Phosphorus levels appropriate for a water body vary depending on the type of ecosystem. Typically oligotrophic lakes have total phosphorus levels between 0.004 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L. Oligotrophic water bodies: nutrient poor, young systems, little plant and algal growth.

While eutrophic lakes have total phosphorus levels between 0 While eutrophic lakes have total phosphorus levels between 0.035 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L. Eutrophic water Bodies: nutrient rich, older systems, support a great deal of plant and algal growth.

Nitrogen guidelines: For management purposes nitrate: - Short term levels should not exceed 550 mg/L NO3 - Long term levels should not exceed 13 mg/L NO3 Nitrogen contamination in a water body can be in different forms: nitrate ions, ammonia, or nitrite. Nitrate increases algal growth and growth of aquatic plants and can be toxic to aquatic organisms.