| Dissolved Oxygen |
pH | Nitrogen
| Phosphorus | Pesticides
| Mercury
| Alkalinity | Salinity
| Fecal Coliform Bacteria |
Definitions on this page were obtained from the EPA's
website glossary at:
http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/index.htm
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
The oxygen freely available in water, vital to fish and other aquatic
life and for the prevention of odors. DO levels are considered a most
important indicator of a water body's ability to support desirable aquatic
life. Secondary and advanced waste treatments are generally designed to
ensure adequate DO in waste-receiving waters.More information on Dissolved
Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen and water quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmdo2.htm
Why Dissolved Oxygen is Important
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpdo.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Dissolved Oxygen
USGS Water Science for Schools Ç Dissolved Oxygen
http://ga.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html#DO
GLOBE TeachersÌ Guide Ç Dissolve Oxygen Protocol
http://www.globe.gov/sda-bin/wt/ghp/tg+L(en)+P(hydrology/DissolvedOxygen)
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pH
An expression of the intensity of the basic or acid condition of a liquid;
may range from 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acid and 7 is neutral. Natural
waters usually have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5.More information on pH
Why pH Is Important
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpph.htm
pH and Water Quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmph.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- pH
GLOBE TeachersÌ Guide Ç pH Protocol
http://www.globe.gov/sda-bin/wt/ghp/tg+L(en)+P(hydrology/pH)
pH scale
http://ga.usgs.gov/edu/phdiagram.html
Human Caused Changes in pH and Changes in Aquatic Life
http://www.discoverycube.org/programs/pH.htm#human
USGS Water Science for Schools Ç pH
http://ga.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html#pH
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Nitrate
A compound containing nitrogen that can exist in the atmosphere or as
a dissolved gas in water and which can have harmful effects on humans
and animals. Nitrates in water can cause severe illness in infants and
domestic animals. A plant nutrient and inorganic fertilizer, nitrate is
found in septic systems, animal feed lots, agricultural fertilizers, manure,
industrial waste waters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps. More
information on Nitrate
Nitrogen Cycling in the Everglades
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS303
Nitrogen and water quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmnox.htm
Why Nitrate, Nitrite, and Nitrogen Are Important
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpno.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Nitrate/Nitrite
Sources of Nitrates
http://www.discoverycube.org/programs/nitrates.htm#nitrates
GLOBE TeachersÌ Guide Ç Nitrate Protocol
http://www.globe.gov/sda-bin/wt/ghp/tg+L(en)+P(hydrology/Nitrate)
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Phosphorus
An essential chemical food element that can contribute to the eutrophication
of lakes and other water bodies. Increased phosphorus levels result from
discharge of phosphorus-containing materials into surface waters.More
information on Phosphorus
Phosphorus and water quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmpo4.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Total Phosphorus
How can sugarcane research in the Everglades Agricultural Area enable
natural land managers and farmers to work together to reduce phosphorus
and restore natural hydrology?
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/sustain/sugarcane/usdaxtls.html
What nutrient levels and loads need to be achieved in order to preserve
the integrity of the ecosystem?
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/nutrients/preserve
Nutrients: What sources are significant and why?
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/nutrients/sources/
Phosphorus Cycling in Wetlands
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS302
Why Phosphorus Is Important
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcptp.htm
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Pesticide
Substances or mixtures intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or
mitigating any pest. Also, any substance or mixture intended for use as
a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.More information on pesticides
Behavior of Pesticides in Soils and Water
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS111
Pesticides in stream sediment and aquatic biota
http://www.floridaplants.com/CR/nov14.htm
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Mercury (Hg)
Heavy metal that can accumulate in the environment and is highly toxic if
breathed or swallowed. Heavy Metals are metallic elements with high
atomic weights; (other examples are mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic,
and lead); can damage living things at low concentrations and tend to
accumulate in the food chain. More information on Mercury
Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems
http://water.usgs.gov/wid/FS_216-95/FS_216-95.html
What is the South Florida Mercury Problem?
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/mercury/achilles_heel/
Mercury Toxicity in the Food Chain
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/mercury/food_chain/
How will Everglades restoration affect mercury risks?
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/mercury/restore/
Florida health advisories
on freshwater fish consumption
http://www.floridaconservation.org//fishing/health.html
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Alkalinity
The capacity of bases to neutralize acids. An example is lime added to
lakes to decrease acidity.
More information on Alkalinity
Alkalinity and Water Quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmalk.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Total Alkalinity
GLOBE TeachersÌ Guide Ç Alkalinity Protocol
http://www.globe.gov/sda-bin/wt/ghp/tg+L(en)+P(hydrology/Alkalinity)
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Salinity
The percentage of salt in water.More information on Salinity
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Salinity
A Review of Historical Salinity Conditions in Florida Bay: Qualitative
and Quantitative Observations
http://sofia.usgs.gov/projects/sal_patterns/salpatab1.html
Design and Development of the Florida Bay Salinity Database
http://sofia.usgs.gov/geer/posters/fbsalinitydb/
GLOBE TeachersÌ Guide Ç Salinity Protocol
http://www.globe.gov/sda-bin/wt/ghp/tg+L(en)+P(hydrology/Salinity)
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Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Bacteria found in the intestinal tracts of mammals. Their presence
in water or sludge is an indicator of pollution and possible contamination
by pathogens.More information on Fecal Coliform Bacteria
Fecal Coliform and water quality
http://kywater.org/ww/ramp/rmfec.htm
GREEN Ç Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
http://www.green.org/files.cgi/435_Chem_Parameters_Background.html
- Fecal Coliform
Why Fecal Coliform Testing Is Important
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpfcol.htm
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Water
Quality