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Transcript of - Environment - Climate - Landscape - Land use - Local Population (animals and humans) Depends on…
Water Quality
- Environment- Climate- Landscape- Land use- Local Population
(animals and humans)
Water QualityDepends on…
We all need oxygen!
Oxygen mixes with water in streams, rivers and oceans◦ Waterfalls, rapids,
waves
High Oxygen = Healthy Ecosystem
Dissolved Oxygen
Fertilizer Run-off Sewage Decaying plants Temperature
Increase
Tumbling over rocks, rapids and waterfalls
Water mixed by waves and wind
Aquatic plants and algae
Temperature decrease
Decrease Increase
Dissolved oxygen
Measurement of relative acidity
Ranges from 0 to 14◦ Below 7 are acidic◦ Above 7 are basic◦ At 7 are neutral
Influenced by:◦ Type of rocks and soil that it
flows through◦ Reacts with alkaline soils and
minerals
pH
Acid Precipitation Mine Drainage Industrial Waste Decaying Plants
Water flowing through alkaline soils and minerals
Rapidly growing plants and algae
Industrial wastes
Decrease Increase
pH
Form of Nitrogen= fertilizer for plants Streams normally have low levels of Nitrates Elevated Nitrate levels can cause:
◦ Excessive plant growth-> Large amounts of decay use up oxygen -> Fish and animals suffocate
EUTROPHICATION ◦ Unsafe drinking water
Nitrate
Natural water has very low levels
Fertilizer run-off Wastewater from
sewage treatment plants
Decrease Increase
Nitrates
Salinity is the amount of dissolved salts in water
Distribution of plants and animals depends on salinity◦ Freshwater life= low/no
salt 0.5ppt◦ Brackish water= mix of
salt and fresh◦ Saltwater life= higher
levels of salt 35 ppt
Salinity
Fresh water has very low levels
Sea water Tides mix salt
water with freshwater
Run-off from road salt
Decrease Increase
Salinity
Affects:◦ Amount of Dissolved
Oxygen◦ Rate of photosynthesis◦ Sensitivity of
organisms- small changes can cause death for some animals
Thermal pollution- adding warm water to river◦ Industries use water
to cool machines and warm water goes back into river
Temperature
Ground water Shade
Sunlight reaches the water
Industry and power plants Run-off from warm
buildings and parking lots
Decrease Increase
Temperature
Chemical testing:◦ Dissolved oxygen◦ pH◦ Nitrate◦ Salinity
How to measure Water Quality?
Take a Sample
Add Testing Tabs
Compare Results
Macroinvertebrates= aquatic insects, worms and crustaceans
Can be used to determine water quality◦ Some can only live
in clean water◦ Some can live in
polluted water
How to measure Water Quality?
Now it’s your turn…
The Macroinvertebrate Game