How do

scientists
measure
water
quality?

Water samples, aerial

photography, and aquatic life

forms
The health of a water body
can be determined by
analyzing physical, chemical
and biological factors

 What

chemical
factors are
used to
measure
water
quality?

Dissolved oxygen (DO)

How much oxygen is available

for organisms to breathe

What photosynthetic
organisms are making/using
oxygen
pH
Measure of chemicals
dissolved in water
Too high or low can be deadly

 What

chemical
factors are
used to
measure
water
quality?

Nutrients
NPK

Too many can stimulate algal

growtheutrophication
Toxins
Metals, pesticides, oils, etc

 What

physical
factors are
used to
measure
water
quality?

Temperature
Dictates what life forms can

survive
Correlated to the amount of direct
sunlight
Warmer water contains less DO
than cold water
Amount and speed of water
Some water is slow moving or even
stagnant, where as obstructions or
curved paths can create rapids

 What

physical
factors are
used to
measure
water
quality?

Substrate on bottom
Large sediments stir up more

water, increasing DO
Turbidity (Clarity)
How much solid is being carried in
the bedload

 What

biological
factors are
used to
measure
water
quality?

Pathogens
Viruses and bacteria (fecal
coliforms), mostly from failing

septic systems, untreated human

waste, and animal waste
Bioindicators
Living things that provide
information about water quality
Fish, plants, and
macroinvertebrates (snails, worms,
larvae)
Only species most tolerant will be
found in heavily polluted waters