Indicators of Water Quality

IndicatorsWater is seen as “good quality” or “bad

quality” based off of several criteriaThese criteria indicate the health of the

waterIncludes turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen,

temperature, nitrates, and bio-indicators

Definition: TurbidityTurbidity: measure of the degree to which

water looses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates

This is a river with high turbidity

Levels: TurbidityIdeal level: 1 NTU (Nephelometric unit)High level: 5 NTU

Causes: TurbidityCauses of increased turbidity:Increased levels of phytoplankton sediment

from erosion, re-suspended sediments from the bottom (stirred by bottom dwellers), waste discharge, algae growth, and urban runoff

Results: TurbidityResults of high turbidity:High turbidity increases the

absorption of sunlight thus making the water warmer. Warmer water has lower levels of dissolved oxygen causing fish and larvae to die

Definition: pHpH: the acidity of the water (presence of

hydrogen ion)07 is acidic7 is neutral7 14 is basic

Levels: pHSurface Freshwater: 6.0 9.0Swamps: as low as 4.3Salt Water: 8.1 but as low as 7.7

Causes: pHCauses of changes of pH:Natural conditions

(especially in swamps), dumping of waste (batteries) and farm runoff (lime)

Results: pHResults of changes of pH:A change in pH by 2 units results in a water

system having 100 times a difference in acidity

Most aquatic life cannot withstand water outside the optimum pH thus resulting in death

Definition: Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen: the oxygen dissolved in

the water

Levels: Dissolved OxygenAverage level: 9.0 ppm (parts per million)Must be 4-5 ppm to support diverse

population of fish

Causes: Dissolved OxygenCauses of changes in dissolved oxygen:

turbulent actions (waves, rapids), water depth, and plant growth

Results: Dissolved OxygenResults of changes in dissolved oxygen:When DO drops too low, fish dieWhen DO is high, the water actually tastes

better but can corrode water pipes

Definition: TemperatureTemperature: the measure of average kinetic

energy

Levels: TemperatureLow: cannot be tolerated below 32 degrees FHigh: only rough fish can tolerate

temperatures above 97 degrees F

Causes: Temperature

Causes of change in temperature: source of water, time of year, suspended sediment, depth of water, and shade from shoreline vegetation

Results: TemperatureResults of changes in temperature: changes

in temperature can make aquatic life susceptible to disease and at extreme levels can result in death

Definition: Nitrates

Nitrates: compound that contains the nitrogen based polyatomic ion NO3 (Ex: Sodium Nitrate)

Levels: NitratesDrinking Water Max: 10 mg/LFish: Below 90 mg/L seems to have no effect

on warm water fish

Causes: NitratesCauses of nitrates:Fertilizer runoff (both farm

and home), manure pits, leaks in septic systems, animal waste, and rain trapping car exhaust

Results: NitratesResults of presence of nitrates:Nitrates can increase the plant production

and fish population resulting in overcrowdingIf algae increases due to nitrates, the pH

levels decrease killing fishNitrates are converted to nitrites in humans

(can kill children)

Definition: Bio-indicatorsBio-indicators: macroinvertibrates found

living in water (they tend to remain in one place) that are sensitive to pollution

Levels: Bio-indicatorsHigh level of variety: healthy water sourceSmall level of variety: poor water source

(indicator of high levels of pollution)

Causes: Bio-indicators

Causes of changes in bio-indicators:

Pollution that results in changes in pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, or nitrate levels

Results: Bio-indicatorsResults of few varieties of bio-indicators

present: the lack of a large number of different varieties of bio-indicators is indicative of pollution