Analysis of Water Chemistry

Urban Stream Restoration Project

By: Bob Smith &

Shelly Alicia

Outline
Water Chemistry Background Chemistry in Urban Streams Methods 2003 Results Comparison to 2002 Conclusions

Outline
Water Chemistry Background
Chemistry in Urban Streams Methods 2003 Results Comparison to 2002 Conclusions

Temperature
Most aquatic organisms are cold-blooded and have an ideal temperature range, specific to the organism: Diatoms 15-25 degrees C Green algae 25-35 degrees C Blue greens 30-40 degrees C Salmonids cold water fish

Temperature, continued
Affects development of invertebrates, metabolism of organisms Affects dissolved oxygen (warm water holds less oxygen) Warm water makes some substances more toxic (cyanide, phenol, xylene, zinc) and, if combined with low DO, they become even more toxic

Dissolved Oxygen
Oxygen that is dissolved in water DO increases with cooler water and mixing of water through riffles, storms, wind Nutrient loading can lead to algal blooms which result in decreased DO 4-5 ppm DO is the minimum that will support large, diverse fish populations. Ideal DO is 9 ppm. Below 3 ppm, all fish die.

Dissolved Oxygen, continued

Dissolved oxygen can also be expressed as % saturation
80-124% = excellent 60-79% = ok < 60% = poor

Conductivity
Measures the ability of water to carry an electric current Measures the ions such as Na+, Cl- in the water Differences in conductivity are usually due to the concentration of charged ions in solution (and ionic composition, temp.) Reported as microsiemens per cm

pH
pH measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the water (each number is a 10-fold difference) 0-6 = acid; 7 = neutral; 8-14 = base Ideal for fish = 6.5 8.2 Ideal for algae = 7.5 8.4 Acid waters make toxic chemicals (Al, Pb, Hg) more toxic than normal, and alter trophic structure (few plants, algae)

Turbidity
Measures the cloudiness of the water
Turbidity caused by plankton, chemicals, silt, etc. Most common causes of excess turbidity are plankton and soil erosion (due to logging, mining, farming, construction)

Turbidity, continued
Excess Turbidity can be a problem: Light cant penetrate through the water photosynthesis may be reduced or even stop algae can die Turbidity can clog gills of fish and shellfish can be fatal Fish cannot see to find food, but can hide better from predators

Phosphorus (Reactive)
Is necessary for plant and animal growth Natural source = phosphate-containing rocks Anthropogenic source = fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farming Can stimulate algal growth/bloom

Nitrates
Formed by the process of nitrification (addition of O2 to NH3 by bacteria) Used by plants and algae Is mildly toxic, fatal at high doses Large amounts (leaking sewer pipes, fertilizer runoff, etc.) can lead to algal blooms, which can alter community structure, trophic interactions and DO regimes) Below 90 mg/L seems to have no effect on warm water fish, but cold water fish are sensitive

Alkalinity
A measure of the substances in water that can neutralize acid and resist changes in pH Natural source = rocks Ideal water for fish and aquatic organisms has a total alkalinity of 100-120 mg/L Groundwater has higher alkalinity than surface water

Hardness
The amount of Calcium and Magnesium in the water (the two minerals mostly responsible)
Natural source = rocks

Limestone = hard water, granite = not hard water

Hardness, continued
Soft water can be a problem: in soft water, heavy metals are more poisonous, some chemicals are more toxic, drinking soft water over long periods can increase chance of heart attack 0 60 = soft water 61-120 = moderately hard water 121-180 = hard water 181+ = very hard water Hardness and alkalinity are related

Outline
Water Chemistry Background

Chemistry in Urban Streams

Methods 2003 Results Comparison to 2002 Conclusions

Physical Effects of Urbanization Related to Water Chemistry

Riparian Vegetation Removal Decreased Groundwater Recharge Heat Island Effect Increased Surface Runoff / Impervious Surfaces Leaky Storm-water / Sewage Pipes Point Source Pollution

Trends in Water Chemistry

Temperature increases Nitrate increases Phosphorus increases Conductivity increases (Increased ion concentration) O2 demand increases

Outline
Water Chemistry Background Chemistry in Urban Streams

Methods
2003 Results Comparison to 2002 Conclusions

Field Measurements
Dissolved Oxygen Temperature Conductivity pH

Water Collection For Laboratory Analysis

Grab Samples Three replicates (from multiple samples) Measured within 24 hours (few exceptions)
Picture Source: http://www.ci.gresham.or.us/ departments/des/stormwater/water_quality.htm

Laboratory Analysis
Nitrate Reactive Phosphorus Alkalinity Hardness Turbidity

Outline
Chemistry in Urban Streams Water Chemistry Measurements and Theory Methods

2003 Results
Comparison to 2002 Conclusions

Field Measurements 2003

20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3
5 0 1 2 3

Temperature (oC)

15 10

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

Conductivity (u s)
800 600 400 200 0 1 2 3

7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5 1

pH

SAL

PB

Turbidity
All values for 2003 <5 jtu For 2002, all but one sampling date <5 jtu The one date for 2002 >5 was during a storm event

Reactive Phosphorus 2003

0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 1 2 Sampling Date 3

mg/L

PB

SAL

Nitrate 2003
2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1 2 Sampling Date 3

mg/L

PB

SAL

Alkalinity 2003
45 40 35
mg CaCO 3/L

30 25 20 15 10 5 0

2 Sampling Date

PB

SAL

Hardness 2003
12 10 8
g.d.h.

* *
1 2 Sampling Date

6 4 2 0

PB

SAL

Outline
Chemistry in Urban Streams Water Chemistry Measurements and Theory Methods 2003 Results

Comparison to 2002
Conclusions

Field Measurement PB
Temperature (oC)
20 15 10 5 0 1
150 100 50 0 1 2 3

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

15 10 5 0

1
7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5 1

Conductivity (u s)

pH

2002

2003

Field Measurement For SAL

20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3

Temperature (oC)

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

1
7.2 7.1 7 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.6

800 600 400 200 0 1

Conductivity (u s)

pH

2002

2003

Paint Branch
0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1
20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3

Reactive Phosphorus (mg/L)

2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1

2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1

Nitrate (mg/L)

2
Alkalinity (mg CaCO3/L)

Hardness (g.d.h.)

2002

2003

Stewart April Lane

1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 1
60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3

Reactive Phosphorus (mg/L)

2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Nitrate (mg/L)

Alkalinity (mg CaCO3/L)

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1

Hardness (g.d.h.)

2002

2003

Outline
Chemistry in Urban Streams Water Chemistry Measurements and Theory Methods 2003 Results Comparison to 2002

Conclusions

Between Site Differences Land use increased runoff cause increased input of particular constituents Natural site variation Substrate type Between Years Increased snow caused more runoff increased use of road-salt Drought (temperature, DO)

. . . Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery element were made for wise men to contemplate, and fools to pass by without consideration, . . . for you may note, that the waters are Natures storehouse, in which she locks up her wonders.
Izaak Walton (from Ward, 1992)