Water Quality Indicators

Flashcards about water quality indicators covering physical, chemical, and biological properties that indicate water quality.

What are water quality indicators?

Physical, chemical, and biological properties that indicate water quality.

What are basic chemical characteristics of water?

pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness, nitrates, and phosphates.

What does pH of water represent?

Represents the level of acidity or alkalinity of water.

What can you infer about water if its pH level is above 7?

Water is basic.

What can you infer about water with more H+ than OH- ions?

Acidic.

What is dissolved oxygen (DO)?

The amount of free oxygen dissolved in water.

What are three possible ways oxygen is mixed into water?

Wind blowing, aquatic plants during photosynthesis, and water movement (aeration).

Which has more DO concentration, rivers/streams or lakes?

Rivers and streams.

Which holds more DO, cold or warm waters?

Cold waters.

What does < 3 ppm DO concentration imply?

Stressful to most aquatic species.

What is hypoxia?

Low dissolved oxygen levels in water (from 2 ppm down to 0.5 ppm).

What is anoxia?

The absence of oxygen; dissolved oxygen levels in water below 0.5 ppm.

What are phosphates?

Naturally occurring forms of phosphorus.

What is eutrophication?

Excessive growth of plants and algae which can lead to a decrease of water transparency.

What are nitrates?

Forms of nitrogen, also an important nutrient for plant growth.

What is the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) limit for nitrate concentration?

50 ppm.

What is water hardness?

A measure of concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, strontium, iron, and manganese.

What is the PNSDW limit for TDS in drinking water?

300 ppm.

What are the physical parameters of water quality?

Temperature, color, taste and odor, turbidity, and solids.

What increases a water’s turbidity or murkiness?

Suspended particles such as clay, silt, fine organic and inorganic substances, soluble colored organic compounds, planktons and other microorganisms.

What is the PNSDW maximum allowable level of turbidity for drinking water?

5.0 NTU.

What is conductivity?

The ability of water to conduct electricity.

What is a biological parameter in water quality?

Fecal coliform bacteria.

What is the USEPA standard for drinking water regarding coliform?

0 coliform per 100 mL.