Topic 5: Monitoring the Environment What does ‘monitoring the environment’ mean? Why do we monitor the environment? When should we monitor?

1. Water quality What is water quality? Physical, biological and chemical characteristics of water Why is water quality important? Is good water quality always the same? Or does it change based on the context? Give an example.

How do we judge water quality? Use indicators a) Clarity/turbidity = how clear the water is Not always a good indicator Some pollutants (eg. acid rain) cause water to become very clear Other pollutants (nutrients) cause water to become cloudy

b) Biological indicators Monitor the # and type of organisms A water system that supports a wide variety of organisms probably has good water quality for allowing organisms to survive Different organisms prefer different conditions If there is a change in the population of an organism – may indicate there is a problem What are some examples of organisms that would be good to monitor? Why?

c) Chemical indicators i) pH As pH decreases, the diversity of organisms that live in the water decreases Most fish disappear if pH falls below 4.5 Different organisms have different tolerance levels Spring acid shock Acid builds up in the ice and snow during winter In the spring – meltwater flows into aquatic systems Results in a large/rapid change in pH Why is this a concern?

ii) Dissolved oxygen The amount of oxygen in the water Is essential for the health of all aquatic life Level of oxygen depends on Temperature - Higher temp = less oxygen Turbulence - More turbulence = more oxygen Amount of photosynthesis -More photosynthesis = more oxygen # of organisms -More organisms = less oxygen

Why are these concerning? iv) Nutrients N, P, K iii) Heavy metals Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni Why are these concerning? iv) Nutrients N, P, K Pesticides - Why are these concerning? Salts -Why are these concerning?

2. Air quality Why is air quality important? Air components Nitrogen = 78% Oxygen = 21% Carbon dioxide = 0.03% Other gases = about 1%

Pollutant Produced from… Contributes to… Other effects SO2 (sulfur dioxide) -industrial processes -smog -acid rain -affects the respiratory system NOx (nitrous oxides = NO, NO2) -combustion in vehicles CO (carbon monoxide) -combustion -health problems (headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, chest pain) -silent killer (can’t smell or see) CO2 (carbon dioxide) -global warming / climate change O3 (ozone) -fuel combustion -lung disease -can affect certain crops

How can air quality can be determined? Measure the level of pollution in the air Most accurate Can be done locally – gives you readings for a specific area Nonpoint source – doesn’t tell you who is creating the pollution Estimate the emissions from pollution sources Eg. Oil sands, industry Point source specific Only gives you the one piece of the puzzle – not the bigger story