1. W ATER Q UALITY T ESTS What measurements are important to understanding water quality?

2. M EASUREMENTS WE ’ LL BE MAKING Temperature pH Coliform Turbidity Dissolved oxygen Nitrate Phosphate Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

3. T EMPERATURE A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance We will use o C. o F = (9/5 * o C) + 32 Temperature is important because it determines the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. The hotter the water gets, the less dissolved oxygen it can hold.

4. T HERMAL P OLLUTION

5. PHPH A measurement of how acidic or basic the water is pH = -log [H+] Ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic) 7 is neutral pH is affected by: 1. Industrial waste 2. Agricultural runoff 3. Drainage from mines

6. COLIFORM Bacteria found in fecal matter Can result from runoff of animal or human waste

7. TURBIDITY A measure of how cloudy/clear the water is Turbid water is caused by suspended matter such as: 1. Sand, silt, or clay particles 2. Organic material 3. Microscopic organisms such as algae Turbid water may be caused by: 1. Soil erosion 2. Urban runoff 3. Bottom sediment disturbances

8. T URBIDITY …

9. D ISSOLVED OXYGEN A measure of the amount of dissolved O 2 in the water Different organisms require different amounts of dissolved O 2 to survive Catfish require less dissolved oxygen than striped bass.

10. N ITRATE AND PHOSPHATE Nitrates and phosphates come from: 1. Agricultural runoff (e.g. fertilizer) 2. Industrial pollution 3. Sewage High levels can lead to the overgrowth of plants, such as algae. Bacteria consume the algae and use up the dissolved oxygen in the water.

11. E UTROPHICATION

12. E UTROPHICATION … Algal blooms lead to decreased dissolved oxygen in the water and can result in fish kills.

13. B IOCHEMICAL O XYGEN DEMAND (BOD) A measure of the quantity of dissolved oxygen used by bacteria as they break down organic wastes If the BOD measurement is high this means that bacteria are consuming a lot of oxygen, leaving little dissolved oxygen for other organisms such as fish and aquatic insects

14. A PRIL 1 ST, 2010 Air 28 o C (82 o F) Water 18 o C (64 o F) pH8 (slightly basic) (good) Coliform Positive! Dissolved Oxygen4 ppm % Saturation42% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate2 ppm (good) Turbidity10 JTU (fairly clear) BODNone

15. M AY 25 TH, 2010 Air 24 o C (75 o F) Water 24 o C (75 o F) pH7 (neutral) (excellent) Coliform Did not test. Dissolved Oxygen2 ppm % Saturation24% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate0 ppm (excellent) Turbidity5 JTU (fairly clear) BODDid not test.

16. A UGUST 30 TH, 2010 Air 25 o C (77 o F) Water 28 o C (82.4 o F) pH9 (basic) (poor) Coliform N/A Dissolved Oxygen1 ppm % Saturation12% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate1.5 ppm (excellent) Turbidity5 JTU (fairly clear) BOD

17. F EBRUARY 18 TH, 2011 Air 20 o C (68 o F) Water 18 o C (64 o F) pH6.5 (slightly acidic) (very good) Coliform N/A Dissolved Oxygen1 ppm % Saturation11% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate0.4 ppm (excellent) Turbidity5 JTU (fairly clear) BODN/A

18. M ARCH 23 RD, 2012 ( POND ) Air 17 o C (63 o F) Water 18 o C (64 o F) pH7 (neutral) (very good) Coliform N/A Dissolved Oxygen3 ppm % Saturation30% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate0 ppm (excellent) Turbidity5 JTU (fairly clear) BODN/A

19. M ARCH 23 RD, 2012 ( STREAM ) Air 25 o C (77 o F) Water 18 o C (64 o F) pH6.8 (slightly acidic) (very good) Coliform Positive! Dissolved Oxygen2 ppm % Saturation20% (poor) Nitrate0 ppm (excellent) Phosphate 0.4 ppm (excellent) Turbidity5 JTU (fairly clear) BODN/A