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Water Quality

Water Quality. Guzmán 4/21/14. Dissolved Oxygen. The amount of oxygen gas dissolved in liquid water Essential for maintenance of healthy lakes and rivers because all animals need oxygen to survive. High levels = good, low levels = bad Sources come from churning water and aquatic plants.

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Water Quality

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  1. Water Quality Guzmán 4/21/14

  2. Dissolved Oxygen • The amount of oxygen gas dissolved in liquid water • Essential for maintenance of healthy lakes and rivers because all animals need oxygen to survive. • High levels = good, low levels = bad • Sources come from churning water and aquatic plants

  3. Fecal Coloform • Bacteria found in the feces of humans and other animals • Enter water from direct discharge, agricultural runoff, storm runoff, or human sewage discharged into water • These bacteria themselves are not harmful, but will indicate the presence of other possibly harmful disease causing organisms • Enter the body through cuts, nose, mouth, or ears. Can cause typhoid fever, hepatitis, gastroenteronitis, dysentery, and ear infections. • Some coloform bacteria in water is completely normal

  4. pH • Measures how acidic (more H ions than OH) or how basic (less H ions than OH) there is in water • Normal = 6.5 to 8.5 • Increased SO2(sulfur dioxide) and NOx (nitrogen oxides) are converted into acid and increase acidity of water by mixing with water vapor and coming down as acid rain. • Common sources = auto exhaust, coal-power plant emissions

  5. Temperature • Temperature is a factor in how much oxygen can be dissolved (cool holds more) • Reasons why water might be warmer: • Adding hotter water from factories or nuclear power plants • Runoff from concrete/blacktop is warmer than natural surfaces • Cutting down trees eliminates shade • Adding soil or dark debris from erosion attracts more sunlight • Erosion collects at bottom, making streams wider and more shallow. Heats up easier.

  6. Temperature (cont.) • Most of the physical, biological and chemical processes of water are related to temperature • Ex: how much oxygen can be dissolved (cool holds more) • Higher temps make photosynthesis rates increase > more plants > more plant death > more bacteria decomposing > less available oxygen for aquatic organisms • Fish get “stressed” and get sick easier when it’s warmer • High levels = bad, low levels = good

  7. Phosphates • A group of compounds containing the element phosphorous. Needed for plant and animal survival. • Comes from organic sources such as animal waste, human waste, vegetation, etc. • Can also come from detergents • Fertilizers used for crops or lawns usually contain phosphorous. Too much will cause overgrowth of plants called eutrophication • High levels = bad, low levels = good

  8. Nitrates • NO3 • Needed by all plants and animals for survival • Used as a fertilizer and can eventually lead to eutrophication • Sewage is the main source • High levels = bad, low levels = good

  9. Turbidity • Measure of how cloudy or clear water is • Cloudy water indicates erosion • Cloudy water attracts more sunlight and can lead to thermal pollution • High levels = bad, low levels = good

  10. Total Solids • Similar to turbidity, but also includes dissolved solids • High levels = bad, low levels = good

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