Water Quality IndexWater Quality Index

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

HOURS due Monday!HOURS due Monday! Still an opening for Science NightStill an opening for Science Night

Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen

Most important characteristic. Most important characteristic. Source is waves, riffles, and aquatic plants. Source is waves, riffles, and aquatic plants.

Used up by the decay of organic wastes. Used up by the decay of organic wastes. Effected by temperature of the water. Effected by temperature of the water.

Colder water holds more oxygen. Colder water holds more oxygen. Low D.O. has largest effect on aquatic life, Low D.O. has largest effect on aquatic life,

all parts of the food chain.all parts of the food chain.

Fecal ColiformFecal Coliform

Measure of animal wastes in the water.Measure of animal wastes in the water. Not pathogenic, but indicate the likelihood Not pathogenic, but indicate the likelihood

of pathogens. of pathogens. Safety, not ecosystem issue.Safety, not ecosystem issue.

pHpH

The measure of acid or base.The measure of acid or base. Normal range is 6.5-8.5Normal range is 6.5-8.5 rainwater 5.5, types of rocks determine the rainwater 5.5, types of rocks determine the

normal pH. normal pH. Most pollution is acid.Most pollution is acid. Most wildlife is very pH specific. Most Most wildlife is very pH specific. Most

insect larva are very sensitive to changes. insect larva are very sensitive to changes.

Biological Oxygen DemandBiological Oxygen Demand

Measurement of how rich in nutrients Measurement of how rich in nutrients (organics) the water is. How much oxygen (organics) the water is. How much oxygen is consumed by bacteria during 5 days.is consumed by bacteria during 5 days.

Organic sources include paper and food Organic sources include paper and food industries and wastewater treatment plants.industries and wastewater treatment plants.

TemperatureTemperature

Change in temperature is a stress on Change in temperature is a stress on ecosystem.ecosystem.

Amount of D.O., rate of photosynthesis, and Amount of D.O., rate of photosynthesis, and metabolism of animals are all effected.metabolism of animals are all effected.

Total PhosphatesTotal Phosphates

Usually THE limiting factor in aquatic plant Usually THE limiting factor in aquatic plant growthgrowth

Important fertilizer, triggers cultural Important fertilizer, triggers cultural eutrophication. (artificial ageing) eutrophication. (artificial ageing)

Source is wastes and fertilizer runoff. Source is wastes and fertilizer runoff. Can cause algae “bloom”, severe ecosystem Can cause algae “bloom”, severe ecosystem

stress. stress.

NitratesNitrates

Part of the nitrogen cycle (Atm nitrogen NPart of the nitrogen cycle (Atm nitrogen N22, ,

ammonia NHammonia NH33, nitrites NO, nitrites NO22, Nitrates NO, Nitrates NO33.).)

Much more common than phosphates. Much more common than phosphates. Necessary for protein production. Necessary for protein production.

Major source is sewage (waste and Major source is sewage (waste and decomposition)decomposition)

TurbidityTurbidity

How cloudy or clear the water is. Visability, How cloudy or clear the water is. Visability, measured in feet.measured in feet.

Measure of the SUSPENDED solids.Measure of the SUSPENDED solids. High turbidity reduces diversity and High turbidity reduces diversity and

photosynthesis. It also increases photosynthesis. It also increases temperature.temperature.

Total SolidsTotal Solids

The material both dissolved AND The material both dissolved AND suspended in the water.suspended in the water.

Dissolved minerals include calcium, iron, Dissolved minerals include calcium, iron, sulfur. sulfur.

High TS hampers organisms.High TS hampers organisms. Low TS can be a limiting factor.Low TS can be a limiting factor.