Christine Yaeger University of Minnesota Institute for Global Studies Water Quality and the Environment: A Global Perspective June 25-June 29, 2012 What Is Water Quality?

NoAA.gov ; Powerstates.com

It depends… Intended Uses skaneateles-lake/; skaneateles-lake/

What Is Pollution? The contamination of soil, water or air by the discharge of potentially harmful substances. A chemical or biological substance that builds up in the environment enough to be toxic, harmful, or a nuisance to humans or other living things. (UK Rivers)

Criteria States and Tribes RegulationsIncentives Voluntary Measures Education Criteria: Pollutant concentrations Environmental effects (aquatic life, biological, nutrients) Human health effects (microbial (pathogen) or recreational)

This works for point sources…what about Nonpoint Sources (NPS)?

Measuring Water quality

Measuring Water Quality: Physical Temperature Amount of heat in water. Seasonal variation; Aquatic organisms suffer thermal pollution and less DO; Due to power plants and Urban runoff. Turbidity The amount of dissolved and suspended materials (“clay, silt, finely divided organic and inorganic matter, soluble colored organic compounds, Plankton, microscopic organisms” -USGS). Measures the scattering effect of light (higher scattering, higher turbidity). Transparency is a complimentary measure. Suspended materials can be bound with pollutants and too much can reduce habitat for fish and aquatic insects. Physical Stream Characteristics: width, depth, velocity (

Measuring Water Quality: Physical TemperatureTurbiditySuspended Sediment WidthDepth Velocity water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms51.cfm; clipart

Measuring Water Quality: Chemical pH A measure of ionic composition, how acidic/basic the water is, Scale Basic/Alkaline (6-8 ideal for aquatic organisms, 7 being neutral). Higher in day (CO from photosynthesis). pH Alkalinity Measured in total alkalinity blah Buffering capacity of water to fluctuate based on PH changes. (Greater buffering is better for aquatic health) Hardness High mineral Content (Mg, Ca- Higher Alkalinity) Nutrients (Nitrates, Nitrates, Ammonia ) A naturally occurring nutrient, but too much is damaging to aquatic health. Sources include fertilizers for agricultural and urban areas and animal waste.

Measuring Water Quality: Chemical Orthophosphates A naturally occurring nutrient, but too much is damaging to aquatic health. Can bind to sediment Dissolved Oxygen (DO) DO is needed by aquatic organisms, including fish. Produced primarily by plants via photosynthesis (air mixing is slow). Diurnal cycles. Low DO can make aquatic organisms weaker and less resilient. Affected by turbidity (cloudy water=less photosynthesis). Conductivity (Specific Conductance) A measure of how much electrical current water can conduct. It gives a good idea of the amount of dissolved solids (such as salt, dust, particles). Distilled water will have low conductance, rainwater will have higher, and sea water extremely high ability of water to conduct an electrical current. (

Measuring Water Quality: Chemical Metals Volatile Organic Compounds Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Pharmaceuticals/Endocrine Disruptors

Measuring Water Quality: Biological Number and Type of Organisms Index Organisms (Pollution tolerance) Aquatic Life “criteria lists chemical concentration goals to protect surface water for aquatic life use” (EPA) Aquatic Life Biological “criteria are based on the numbers and kinds of organisms present and describe the biological condition of aquatic communities inhabiting surface waters” (EPA) ( Biological

Resources USGS Water Science for Schools MPCA Citizen Stream Monitoring Program Instruction Manual EPA Water Quality Criteria Exploring the Environment