Water Quality Education Test Kit

Parameter- Phosphates What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Phosphate is an ion with one phosphorus and four Phosphate is an ion with one phosphorus and four oxygen atoms oxygen atoms Used in fertilizers, cleaning and laundering products, Used in fertilizers, cleaning and laundering products, and water treatment and water treatment Stimulate growth of plankton and aquatic plants Stimulate growth of plankton and aquatic plants Why is it important? Why is it important? Too many phosphates lead to eutrophication Too many phosphates lead to eutrophication Overgrowth of aquatic plants reduces available Overgrowth of aquatic plants reduces available oxygen supply oxygen supply Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of organic matter organic matter Phosphate discharges should be regularly monitored Phosphate discharges should be regularly monitored How is it measured? How is it measured? Colorimetric test kit Colorimetric test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Phosphomolybdate complex reduced to molybdenum Phosphomolybdate complex reduced to molybdenum blue by ascorbic acid blue by ascorbic acid Real-world example Real-world example Enhance flavor and tartness of cola drinks Enhance flavor and tartness of cola drinks Buffering agent in anti-freeze Buffering agent in anti-freeze

Parameter- Acidity What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Quantitative capacity of water to be neutralized by a Quantitative capacity of water to be neutralized by a base to a set pH base to a set pH pH determined by relative amount of free hydrogen ions pH determined by relative amount of free hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in water and hydroxide ions in water Acidity vs. acidic solutions Acidity vs. acidic solutions Why is it important? Why is it important? Evaluate suitability of water for aquatic plants and Evaluate suitability of water for aquatic plants and animals animals Identify buffering ability of water against pH increases Identify buffering ability of water against pH increases caused by alkaline substances caused by alkaline substances Regular monitoring can determine if acidity and/or pH Regular monitoring can determine if acidity and/or pH is changing, and pollutants can be investigated is changing, and pollutants can be investigated Decay of natural substances and acid rain contribute to Decay of natural substances and acid rain contribute to acidity acidity Heavy metals more soluble in acidic water Heavy metals more soluble in acidic water How is it measured? How is it measured? Acidity chemical test kit – methyl orange and Acidity chemical test kit – methyl orange and phenolphthalein activity phenolphthalein activity Titration method to determine buffering ability Titration method to determine buffering ability Real-world example Real-world example Acid rain Acid rain Food processing industry Food processing industry

Parameter- Conductivity/Total Dissolved Solids What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Capacity of a substance to carry electricity Capacity of a substance to carry electricity In water, conductivity is directly proportional to In water, conductivity is directly proportional to concentration of dissolved solids concentration of dissolved solids TDS vs. Total Solids TDS vs. Total Solids Why is it important? Why is it important? Increased TDS, expressed as EC, may indicate presence Increased TDS, expressed as EC, may indicate presence of pollutants of pollutants Can be impacted by limestone carbonates, man-made Can be impacted by limestone carbonates, man-made point or non-point sources point or non-point sources Acceptable levels vary based on how the water is used Acceptable levels vary based on how the water is used Dissolved salts can increase acidity of water Dissolved salts can increase acidity of water How is it measured? How is it measured? Handheld conductivity/TDS tester Handheld conductivity/TDS tester Amperometric method measures current Amperometric method measures current between two electrodes between two electrodes Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Real-world example Real-world example High TDS negatively affects taste of drinking water High TDS negatively affects taste of drinking water Causes corrosion that can damage water pipes and Causes corrosion that can damage water pipes and plumbing fixtures plumbing fixtures

Parameter- Nitrates What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Nitrate is an ion with one nitrogen and three oxygen Nitrate is an ion with one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms atoms Used extensively as fertilizers Used extensively as fertilizers Plants use nitrogen to build proteins by taking it in Plants use nitrogen to build proteins by taking it in through root system through root system Why is it important? Why is it important? Too many nitrates lead to eutrophication Too many nitrates lead to eutrophication Overgrowth of aquatic plants reduces available oxygen Overgrowth of aquatic plants reduces available oxygen supply supply Algal blooms block sunlight, slowing photosynthesis Algal blooms block sunlight, slowing photosynthesis Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of Bacteria consume more oxygen in breakdown of organic matter organic matter How is it measured? How is it measured? Colorimetric test kit Colorimetric test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Nitrates are reduced to nitrite in the presence of Nitrates are reduced to nitrite in the presence of cadmium cadmium Real-world example Real-world example Blue baby disease Blue baby disease Fertilizers for home lawn maintenance Fertilizers for home lawn maintenance

Parameter- Alkalinity What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Quantitative capacity of a water sample to neutralize Quantitative capacity of a water sample to neutralize and acid to a set pH and acid to a set pH Measure of how well a sample can buffer itself against Measure of how well a sample can buffer itself against pH changes caused by acid pH changes caused by acid Main source is carbonate rocks such as limestone Main source is carbonate rocks such as limestone Why is it important? Why is it important? Protects aquatic life from large pH swings Protects aquatic life from large pH swings Regularly measured in treatment of drinking water and Regularly measured in treatment of drinking water and waste water waste water Carbonates may cause corrosion that damages Carbonates may cause corrosion that damages industrial equipment industrial equipment High alkalinity protects against harmful effects of acid rain High alkalinity protects against harmful effects of acid rain How is it measured? How is it measured? Expressed in mg/L (ppm) of calcium carbonate Expressed in mg/L (ppm) of calcium carbonate Chemical test kit measures as phenolphthalein activity Chemical test kit measures as phenolphthalein activity and total alkalinity and total alkalinity Real-world example Real-world example Detergent products are formulated with different Detergent products are formulated with different alkalinities based on use alkalinities based on use Automatic dishwasher detergents and surface cleaners Automatic dishwasher detergents and surface cleaners are high in alkalinity are high in alkalinity Hand dishwashing detergents are close to neutral Hand dishwashing detergents are close to neutral because of rubbing action because of rubbing action

Parameter- Carbon Dioxide What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Naturally occurring gas produced through plant and Naturally occurring gas produced through plant and animal respiration animal respiration Dissolves in water to form carbonic acid Dissolves in water to form carbonic acid Used in photosynthesis Used in photosynthesis Why is it important? Why is it important? Carbonic acid can lower water pH Carbonic acid can lower water pH High levels of carbon dioxide can make water corrosive High levels of carbon dioxide can make water corrosive or toxic to aquatic life or toxic to aquatic life Stagnant or polluted water has large amount due to Stagnant or polluted water has large amount due to organic matter decay organic matter decay Reacted with ammonia to form fertilizer urea Reacted with ammonia to form fertilizer urea How is it measured? How is it measured? Chemical test kit measures using phenolphthalein Chemical test kit measures using phenolphthalein indicator indicator Carbonic acid neutralized to a pH of 8.3 Carbonic acid neutralized to a pH of 8.3 Real-world example Real-world example Present throughout atmosphere, but at levels too low to Present throughout atmosphere, but at levels too low to easily extract it easily extract it Used in industry to carbonate beverages, as a Used in industry to carbonate beverages, as a refrigerant, and in fire extinguishers refrigerant, and in fire extinguishers Contributor to greenhouse effect Contributor to greenhouse effect

Parameter- Hardness What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water Concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water Originally defined as the capacity of water to Originally defined as the capacity of water to precipitate soap precipitate soap Other ion species, such as iron, zinc and manganese, Other ion species, such as iron, zinc and manganese, contribute to hardness contribute to hardness Why is it important? Why is it important? High hardness can reduce impact of toxic metals High hardness can reduce impact of toxic metals Hard water usually has high alkalinity Hard water usually has high alkalinity Calcium helps fish bone development, magnesium helps Calcium helps fish bone development, magnesium helps plant chlorophyll plant chlorophyll Can upset the balance of fluid concentration in fish Can upset the balance of fluid concentration in fish How is it measured? How is it measured? Chemical test kit Chemical test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Classified as soft, moderately hard, hard, or very hard Classified as soft, moderately hard, hard, or very hard Real-world example Real-world example Hard water hinders lathering properties of soap and Hard water hinders lathering properties of soap and detergents detergents Scale from calcium and magnesium deposits can Scale from calcium and magnesium deposits can damage machinery damage machinery

Parameter- Dissolved Oxygen What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Measure of the amount of oxygen available in water Measure of the amount of oxygen available in water Photosynthesis contributes to available supply Photosynthesis contributes to available supply Atmospheric oxygen mixing with water also a Atmospheric oxygen mixing with water also a contributor contributor Why is it important? Why is it important? Oxygen essential for aquatic life Oxygen essential for aquatic life Changes can indicate presence of pollutants or excess Changes can indicate presence of pollutants or excess nutrients nutrients Level has wide fluctuations depending on time of day Level has wide fluctuations depending on time of day due to photosynthesis due to photosynthesis Eutrophication leads to increased oxygen consumption Eutrophication leads to increased oxygen consumption How is it measured? How is it measured? Chemical test kit Chemical test kit Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Expressed as mg/L (ppm) Uses titration method Uses titration method Real-world example Real-world example In drinking water, high oxygen level makes it taste In drinking water, high oxygen level makes it taste better better High oxygen levels speed up corrosion in water pipes High oxygen levels speed up corrosion in water pipes

Parameter- Temperature What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Property of a body that transfers heat to or from other Property of a body that transfers heat to or from other bodies bodies Provides an indication of living conditions for aquatic Provides an indication of living conditions for aquatic plants and animals plants and animals Has an impact on dissolved oxygen levels Has an impact on dissolved oxygen levels Why is it important? Why is it important? Warm temperatures generally considered beneficial for Warm temperatures generally considered beneficial for growth of aquatic life growth of aquatic life Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than cold Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than cold Thermal pollution can raise temperature to detrimental Thermal pollution can raise temperature to detrimental levels levels How is it measured? How is it measured? Feature of handheld pH and EC/TDS meters Feature of handheld pH and EC/TDS meters Expressed as degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit Expressed as degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit Semiconductor resistance converted to C or F scale Semiconductor resistance converted to C or F scale measurements measurements Real-world example Real-world example Food quality to control growth of pathogens and Food quality to control growth of pathogens and microorganisms microorganisms Bacteria can quickly grow to dangerous levels if Bacteria can quickly grow to dangerous levels if temperature is not controlled temperature is not controlled

Parameter- Turbidity What is this parameter? What is this parameter? Provides a relative statement of water clarity Provides a relative statement of water clarity Higher total suspended solids raises turbidity Higher total suspended solids raises turbidity From natural runoff, soil erosion, sediment circulation, From natural runoff, soil erosion, sediment circulation, man-made pollution man-made pollution Why is it important? Why is it important? Visual indicator of water quality Visual indicator of water quality High turbidity slows photosynthesis High turbidity slows photosynthesis May indicate increased nitrates, phosphates, May indicate increased nitrates, phosphates, temperature, or carbon dioxide levels temperature, or carbon dioxide levels How is it measured? How is it measured? Secchi disk Secchi disk Disk lowered and raised to yield two measurements Disk lowered and raised to yield two measurements Not as precise as turbidimeters, but good relative Not as precise as turbidimeters, but good relative indicator indicator Real-world example Real-world example Monitored in mineral or soft drink production Monitored in mineral or soft drink production Turbidity removal adds cost to water treatment process Turbidity removal adds cost to water treatment process