Conductivity Measure of the ease of passing an electrical current through a solution.

The more
saline a solution, the more conductive it is. This is a good parameter for observing
the transition from river to sea water. Conductivity is related to temperature.
Salinity A measure of the level of dissolved salts in a solution. It can be inferred from
conductivity when temperature and density are know. Salinity is largely temperature
and density dependant. Colder, and thus denser waters, can hold more salt in them
compared to the same volume of hotter water.
Temperatur (°C). Temperature effects nearly all other physical and chemical parameters. An
e important parameter to investigate in regards to its relationship with the other
parameters.
pH Measure of how acidic or basic the water is. Seawater usually ranges between 7.5 -
8.5 pH
Secchi The depth at which a disk lowered into the water and is no longer visual by eye. Can
be used as a proxy for the accumulative levels of turbidity, possible suspended solids
and other optical parameters, however cannot discern between these parameters. A
good example Secchi Disk—Water Quality Test

DO_Saturati Per cent saturation (%sat). The amount of oxygen dissolved into the water.
on Important parameter for fish health.
DO_mgL Calculated from DO , using ambient temperature and salinity (as density must be
known). Measurend in mg/L or ppm.
BOD The amount of oxygen in a sample required by microbes in order to break down
organic matter. This can be used as a proxy for organic matter in water samples.

TON Total oxidised nitrogen (mg/l N). This is a measure of nitrate and nitrite, which are
soluble forms of nitrogen. Both compounds are needed by plants in order to grow.
Both can originate from fertiliser run off after heavy rains, so they are especially
predominant in rural areas.
NH3 Total ammonia (mg/l N). Another form of nitrogen in the environment. Usually
related to the decomposition of plant materials and by human/animal exrection.
PO4 Molybdate raective phosphorus (µg/l P) . This type of phosphates, also known as
labile phosphate, is the fraction of total phosphate which is readily available for use
by microbes. Phosphates are a good indicator of water quality. A high level of
phosphates would indicate pollution.
In surface waters dissolved organic and inorganic phosphates mainly arise due to the
decomposition of plant materials, which are linked to the decomposition and
excretion products of microbes.
chl_a The pigment found in plants which is responsible for photosynthesis. This parameter
gives us a good indication of the levels of primary production in waters.
SiO2 Labile silicate, which is available for uptake by microbes. All silica that ends up in the
ocean is terrestrial in origin. It is an essential nutrient to many microorganisms within
the ocean. Found in higher levels in fresh waters than oceanic waters. Typically it is
transformed into less available forms upon its transport to more saline waters (May
be a relationship between salinity and Silicate concentrations)

SS Suspended solids (mg/l). Particulates found within a water sample (larger than 2 µm).
Colour True Colour
DIN Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (Sum of NH3 and TON) (mg/l N)
Free_NH3 Undissociated from of ammonia. Toxic to aquatic organisms.
"TON:NH3" molar ratio
"DIN:PO4" molar ratio
"DIN:Si" molar ratio
"P:Si" molar ratio