Water Quality

Indicators of Water Quality 1) Nitrates a) Eutrophication b) Algae Blooms 2) pH 3) Turbidity 4) Temperature 5) Dissolved Oxygen 6) Bioindicators

1.Nitrates (NO 3 ) A naturally occurring form of nitrogen found in soil.

Nitrates o Nitrogen is essential to all life. o Most crop plants require large quantities to sustain high yields. o Causes Eutrophication o Common sources of nitrate include: fertilizers and manure, animal feedlots, municipal wastewater and sludge, septic systems

Nitrates Too much nitrates in a lake or pond will cause Eutrophication

a)Eutrophication  Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or body of water. Frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and then death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

a)Eutrophication tfCEpUr7M&feature=related tfCEpUr7M&feature=related Eutrophication

b) Algal Bloom A large occurrence of algae build-up caused by an excess of fertilizer, waste water, and storm water runoff.

b) Algal Bloom Lake Chaohu, China— site of the sailing portion of the 2008 Olympics algae-bloom.html algae-bloom.html waters-of-lake-chaohu.html waters-of-lake-chaohu.html ure=related ure=related

2. pH The measurement of how acidic or basic a substance is  The scale goes from 0 to 14  0=high acid  14=high base  7=neutral

Common Substances’ pH SubstancepHAcid or Base Battery Acid0Acid Vinegar2Acid Soda Pop3Acid Saliva6Acid Water7Neutral Baking Soda9Base Soapy Water12Base Lye13Base Liquid Drain Cleaner 14Base

3. Turbidity Is the cloudiness, or haziness, of water caused by suspended particles and dissolved solids

3. Turbidity  Low Turbidity ◦ Clear ◦ Can See Through It  High Turbidity ◦ Unclear ◦ Can NOT See Through It

4. Temperature the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment.

5. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium It’s important for fish and other aquatic organisms that require oxygen to live.

6. Bioindicators Are species used to monitor the health of an environment or ecosystem

The Relationship Between... Temperature Dissolved Oxygen Bioindicators

Temperature affects...  The amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in the water (Dissolved Oxygen)  The temperature of the organisms within the water and their activity, rate of growth and reproduction (Bioindicator)  The rate of photosynthesis by plants in the water (Bioindicator)  The health of organisms in the water (Bioindicator)

How does temperature affect the amount of dissolved oxygen in water? Water temperature and dissolved oxygen are inversely related to each other. Dissolved Oxygen Temperature Dissolved Oxygen

What does that mean?  When temperature goes up the amount of dissolved oxygen goes down  When temperature goes down the amount of dissolved oxygen goes up MonthTemperature (°C)Temperature (°F) Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) January February March April May June July August September October November December

How does temperature affect aquatic organisms’ growth rate and reproduction?

Growth Rate As temperature increases an organism’s activity and growth rate increases. More activity = Need for more Oxygen Growth rate will double if temperature increases by 10°C (18°F) within the organism’s "preferred" range.

Reproduction Reproductive systems are sensitive to temperature Therefore, aquatic organisms tend to reproduce best at a particular time of year (seasonal changes) Example: Salmon Run in Fall

How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis by plants in the water? As water temperature increases, plants tend to produce oxygen, to grow faster, and to die at a faster rate.

How does temperature affect the health of organisms in the water? Temperatures that are higher or lower than normal can make an organism more sensitive to pollutants and diseases Organisms that are exposed to these situations are referred to as “being stressed”

What factors can change the temperature of a body of water? 1. Air Temperature 2. Sunlight 3. Soil Erosion 4. Thermal Pollution

Soil Erosion— The cutting down of trees along the banks of rivers Which causes the banks to wash away Making the water turbid & turbid water absorbs heat easily Thermal Pollution— Warm water being discharged from an electric power generating station Rain water draining off heated streets, sidewalks, or parking lots Damming rivers and exposing water to the sun while it’s stationary

Water Quality GOOD: Drinking Water