the blue planet the blue planet indicators of water quality
TRANSCRIPT
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The Blue PlanetThe Blue PlanetIndicators of Water Quality
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Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water.
• It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose.
What is Water Quality?
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Most dissolved substances found in water are measured in parts per million (ppm) or even smaller amounts. This
means that for every one million parts (units) of water there is a certain number of
parts of the substance.
PARTS PER MILLION
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It is also expressed as milligrams per liter. There are 1000 milliliters in a liter and 1000 milligrams in a gram. For example, a dissolved oxygen reading of 8 ppm means there are 8 milligrams of oxygen for every 1000 milliliters of water.
8/1000 gram 1000 milliliters =
8/1,000,000 (8 parts per million)
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• A measure of the degree to which water looses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates
• Ideal Level: 1 NTU• High Level: 5 NTU
and above
• Causes: – Increased levels of
phytoplankton– Algae growth– Urban Runoff
• Results: – Increases absorption
of sunlight makes water warmer
– Lowers levels of dissolved oxygen
– As the suspended particles settle, the benthic organisms are smothered.
Turbidity
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• Turbid Water • Clear Water
Turbidity
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• The acidity of the water (presence of the hydrogen ion [H+])– 07 is acidic– 7 is neutral– 714 is basic
• Surface freshwater: 6.0-9.0
• Swamps: as low as 4.3• Salt Water: 8.1 but as low
as 7.7
• Causes: – Natural conditions
(especially in swamps)– Dumping of waste
(batteries)– Farm runoff (lime)
• Results– A change in pH by 2 units
results in a water system having 100x a difference in acidity
– Most aquatic life can’t withstand water outside the optimum pH resulting in death
pH
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pH Scale
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Alkalinity refers to the water’s ability to neutralize acids.
• Alkalinity is produced by minerals such as limestone
• Limestone is a type of ocean sediment composed of calcium carbonate.
Alkalinity
Water with low alkalinity is usually acidic.
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• Ammonia is produced by the decay of organic matter and animal waste.
• It is toxic to most aquatic life, especially at high pH.
• Bacteria readily convert ammonia to nitrate.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a form of nitrogen and part of the Nitrogen Cycle.
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• Oxygen dissolved in the water
• Average Level: 9.0 ppm
• Warmer water = less oxygen– Must be 4-5 ppm to
support diverse population of fish
– Cold water rarely has more than 15 ppm. Summer is often a time of oxygen stress for aquatic organisms.
• Causes– Turbulent Actions
(waves, rapids)– Water depth– Plant growth
• Results– When DO drops too
low fish die– When DO is high,
water actually tastes better but can corrode water pipes
Dissolved Oxygen
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Dissolved Oxygen
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• Measure of average kinetic energy
• Low: cannot be tolerated below 32°F
• High: only rough fish can tolerate temperatures above 97°F
• Causes– Source of water– Time of year– Suspended sediment– Depth of water– Shade from shoreline
vegetation
• Results– Changes make aquatic life
susceptible to diseases– At extreme levels can
result in death
Temperature
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Rapid temperate change and temperature extremes can stress aquatic organisms.
Temperature affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of water
Temperature
• 14 Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)
• 12
• 10
• 8
• 6
• 4• ____________________________________• Winter Summer
As the water warms, the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases
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• Compound that contains the nitrogen based polyatomic ion NO3 (Ex. Sodium Nitrate)
• Nitrates are water soluble and can move easily from surface to groundwater.
• Drinking Water Max: – 10 mg/L
• Fish: – Below 90 mg/L seems to
have no effect on warm water fish
• Causes– Fertilizer runoff– Manure pits– Rain trapping car exhaust
• Results– Nitrates can increase the
plant production and algal blooms
– If algae increases due to nitrates, the DO levels can decrease, killing fish
– Convert to nitrites can kill children
Nitrates
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• Under normal conditions, the nitrogen cycle keeps the amount of available nitrogen in balance with the demands. However, excessive use of fertilizers and nutrient rich sewage release have created a surplus of nitrate. The result is EUTROPHICATION from excess algae and bacteria with reduced dissolved oxygen.
Nitrates
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Nitrates Eutrophication
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• Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element.
• Phosphates enter waterways from human and animal waste, phosphorus rich bedrock, laundry, cleaning, industrial effluents, and fertilizer runoff.
Phosphates
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• High levels of phosphates can overstimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.
• This will cause high D.O. consumption and death to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Phosphates
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• Animals found living in water that are sensitive to pollution
• High Variety healthy water source
• Low Variety Poor water source (high levels of pollution)
• Causes– Pollution results in
changes to pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, or nitrate levels
• Results– Lack of varied animals
indicative of pollution
Bioindicators
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