1. Marine Science Education Test Kit

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 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

13. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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