Determining the Water Quality of a Body of Water

Water quality is a complex term to evaluate. The health of a water ecosystem depends on so many variables. These parameters are each intertwined and connected. For simplicity there are several mainstream parameters that are used in conjunction with each other to determine the water s quality. These include: alkalinity, ammonia content, carbon dioxide, chlorine, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, temperature, and turbidity. The most visible sign of poor water quality is reduced animal populations. Almost all animals will suffer if pollutants are in the water supply. There are several ways to lower pollution levels in water.

Alkalinity is not a measure of pollution. It is a total measure of the substances in water that have acid-neutralization abilities. Alkalinity is not pH. PH measures the strength of an acid or a base. Alkalinity actually shows a solution s power to react with an

acid and buffer its pH. In a sense, alkalinity is the ability to change pH. Alkalinity is important to animals that live near water and in water because it protects against pH changes. This quality of water counterattacks acid rain. The main sources of natural

alkalinity are rocks, which contain carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide compounds. If an alkalinity level is low it may be necessary to make carbonates and hydroxides more abundant. This can be achieved by adding rocks into water systems.

Ammonia is characterized by NH3. It comes from fertilizers, and finds its way into watershe...