Water Quality

How do scientist measure water quality?

Water samples, aerial photography, and aquatic life forms

The health of a water body can be determined by analyzing physical,
chemical and biological factors.

What chemical factors are used to measure water quality?

How much oxygen is available for organisms to breathe?

What photosynthetic organisms are making/using oxygen?
pH
measure of chemicals dissolved in water
Too high or low can be deadly
NPK
Too many can stimulate algal growth eutrophication
Toxins
Metals, pesticides, oils, etc.

What physical factors are used to measure water quality?

Dictates what life form can survive

Correlated to the amount of direct sunlight
Warmer water contains less DO than cold water
Amount and speed of water
Some water is slow moving or even stagnant, whereas obstructions or
curved paths can create rapids
Substrates on bottom
Large sediments stir up more water, increasing DO
Turbidity (clarity)
How much solid is being carried in the bedload?

What biological factors are used to measure water quality?

Pathogens viruses and bacteria (fecal coliforms), mostly from failing septic
systems, untreated human waste, and animal waste
Bioindicators- living things that provide information about water quality
Fish, plants, and macroinvertebrates (snails, worms, larvae)
Only species most tolerant will be found in heavily polluted waters,