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Physical Variables of Water Health
1. Temperature determines the kinds of organisms that can survive there. Cold water = more oxygen Warm water = less oxygen Warmer water dissolves more solid substances but dissolves less of important gases (DO, and CO2) What are some ways that the temp of a river can increase? Power plants, using lakes and rivers as a cooling agent. Lake Julian
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Nuclear Power Plants use cooling lakes, which increases the temperature of the water
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Physical Variables of Water Health
2. Turbidity - is a measure of how clear water is. The more suspended solids are in the water, the higher the turbidity The higher the turbidity, the poorer the water quality
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
1. pH – is a measure of how acidic or basic something is 7 is neutral < 7 is acidic > 7 is basic
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
2. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - Oxygen that is dissolved in water The O2 molecules are mixed with the H2O molecules
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) All organisms use DO Mayfly, caddisfly, stonefly
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
How DO gets in the Water naturally through diffusion with the oxygen in the air
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
How DO gets in the Water byproduct of photosynthesis
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Cold water = more DO Warm water = less DO
Trout, salmon. Bass, catfish
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
Levels of DO Levels of DO can predict health of the water Pollutants (sewage, fertilizer, runoff, animal waste) can decrease DO levels Since all organisms use DO, it is a good indicator of the “health” of the stream or lake.
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
3. Nitrates and Phosphates are natural occurring compounds Small amounts of these compounds in water are natural However, elevated levels can be harmful to organisms and humans Higher levels = more plants and more algae bloom
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Chemical Variables of Water Health
Sources of Nitrates and Phosphates Runoff contaminated with fertilizers Septic tank leakage Sewage Enter waterways from human and animal waste laundry Cleaning supplies Phosphates and nitrates = algae which blocks out oxygen and sunlight
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Biologic Variables of Water Health
The presence, condition, and numbers of the types of fish, insects, algae plants and other aquatic life provide accurate information about the health of water.
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