Basics of Water Quality Sheila Murphy - Keep It Clean ...€¦ · Basics of Water Quality Sheila...
Transcript of Basics of Water Quality Sheila Murphy - Keep It Clean ...€¦ · Basics of Water Quality Sheila...
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Basics of Water QualitySheila Murphy
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Water quality:
The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose
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“Water quality” can include:
• Basic water quality variables (such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate)
• Bacteria (such as giardia, E coli)
• Metals (such as lead, mercury)
• Pesticides
• Wastewater-derived organic compounds (hormones, prescription drugs)
• Fish and macroinvertebrate populations
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Some basic water quality variables:
• Temperature• Dissolved oxygen• pH• Nitrate• Phosphate
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Temperature
Affects:
• Fish species present
• Metabolism and reproduction of fish, macroinvertebrates, and bacteria
• Dissolved oxygen
Measured with:
• thermometer
• probe
Measurement units:
• degrees Celsius (°C)
• degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
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Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• Important indicator of a water body's ability to support aquatic life
• Fish absorb dissolved oxygen through their gills
• Measured with:
• probe and meter
• titration
• Measurement units:
• milligrams per liter (mg/L) AKA parts per million (ppm)
• percent saturation
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Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
measured DO (mg/L)maximum DO (mg/L)
Percent (%) saturation =
Maximum DO: maximum amount of oxygen a particular water can hold at equilibrium (depends on elevation and temperature)
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pH = -log [H+]
[H+]= concentration of hydrogen ions (in moles per liter)
In pure water,
[H+]= 1.0x10-7 moles per liter;
so –log(1.0x10-7) = 7.00,
and the pH is neutral
pH
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pH• Below pH 5, immature fish and
macroinvertebrates may die
• Above pH 9, fish cellular membranes can be damaged
• Low pH levels accelerate release of metals from rocks or sediments
Measurement units:
• none, or “standard units”
Measured with:
• probe
• pH paper
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Nitrogen (N)
Inorganic forms:• Nitrate – NO3
• Nitrite – NO2
• Ammonia – NH3 and NH4
+
• Nitrogen gas – N2
Organic (carbon-containing) forms:
• Component of proteins, peptides, and amino acids
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Nitrogen
• Required by all organisms to live
• High nitrate & nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia in humans (“blue baby” syndrome) and fish (“brown blood disease”)
• High levels can increase algae growth, leading to low DO and death of fish (“eutrophication”)
Measurement units:
• Milligrams per liter (mg/L) as N, NO2, NO3, NH3
Measured with:
• Colorimetry
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Phosphorus (P)
• Required by all organisms to live
• Usually in the form of phosphate, PO43-, in
natural waters
• High levels can lead to eutrophication
Measurement units:
• Milligrams per liter (mg/L) as P or PO4
3-
Measured with:
• Colorimetry
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Nutrients
Act as fertilizers
Increased algae growth
Bacteria eat them
Bacteria use up oxygen
Oxygen levels get so low that fish can’t breathe
Nitrogen (N)Phosphorus (P)
Algaedie
“Eutrophication”
Fish kills
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What affects water quality?
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Climate/Season
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70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 01000
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BOULDER
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DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM SAINT VRAIN CREEK CONFLUENCE, IN METERS
Elevation
Lower-elevation waters hold more oxygen because of higher atmospheric pressure
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Riparian (streamside)vegetation
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Instream vegetation
106CO2 + 16 NO3- + HPO4
2- + 122H2O + 18H+
C106H263O110N16P + 138O2
Photosynthesis
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Discharge
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20032002200120001999
DIS
CH
AR
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(CU
BIC
FEE
T PE
R S
ECO
ND
)
1998
BOULDER CREEKAT 75TH STREET
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Geology
Igneous Rock Sedimentary Rock
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Cheeseman Reservoir after Hayman Fire, 2002
Forest fires
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PyriteIron sulfide, or FeS2AKA “fool’s gold”
FeS2 + 7/2 O2 + H2O Fe+2 + 2SO4-2 + 2H+
Acid!
Acid dissolves metals in the rock, and they get into water
Like Hg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb
Can kill fish & make water undrinkable
Mining
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Wastewater
Our waste
Sewer pipes
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Solids settled outBugs eat carbon
Chlorine kills pathogens
Treated wastewater discharged to rivers
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Agriculture
• Greatest nonpoint source pollution problem in the U.S.
• Fertilizers and pesticides sprayed on crops can get washed into streams and lakes
• Fertilizer contains nitrate and phosphorus
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Recreation- instream
• Swimming
• Tubing
• Boating
Potential impacts:• Bacteria (E coli)• Nutrients• Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
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Recreation
• Off-road vehicles• Hiking & camping• Dog walking• Golf courses
Potential impacts:• Sediment • Bacteria• Nutrients• Pesticides• Pharmaceuticals and
personal care products
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Road runoffCan contribute:
• Leaked automobile fluids
• Breakdown of brake pads (metals)
• Road salt and gravel
• Spills
• Trash
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Industry• Before 1972 Clean Water
Act, few rules about release of chemicals to water bodies
• In developing world, industry is often the greatest pollution source
Cuyahoga River, Ohio, in 1952
Photo from C
leveland Public Library
Thermal pollution:Power plants, chemical factories, and refineries use water for cooling and release warm water back to the environment
Valmont Power Plant
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NO2NO3SO2
HNO3H2SO4
Burning of Fossil Fuels
Acids!
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Let’s look at some data!
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No data available
Temperature along North Boulder Creek-Boulder Creek
From www.basin.org
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Dissolved oxygen
No data available
North Boulder Creek at Lakewood Res.
Boulder Creek at 61st St.
Boulder CreekAt Highway 287
North Boulder Creek at Lakewood Res.
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No data available
Value exceedsplot scale
Nitrate + nitrite along North Boulder Creek-Boulder Creek
From www.basin.org
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Discharge
Jan
Apr Ju
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nAp
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ctJa
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pr Jul
Oct
Jan
Apr Ju
lO
ctJa
n
0
100
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500
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700
800
20032002200120001999
DIS
CH
AR
GE
(CU
BIC
FEE
T PE
R S
ECO
ND
)
1998
BOULDER CREEKAT 75TH STREET
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Effect of discharge on water chemistry
Jan
Apr Ju
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Apr
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Oct
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20032002200120001999
DIS
CH
AR
GE
(CU
BIC
FEE
T PE
R S
ECO
ND
)
1998
BOULDER CREEKAT 75TH STREET
0
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TO
TAL
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SOLV
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/L)
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For more information…
Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network: www.BASIN.org
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Discipline: http://water.usgs.gov
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Dissolved oxygen along North Boulder Creek-Boulder Creek
No data available
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Natural things… like:
• Climate/season• Streamside vegetation• Geology• Forest fires• Discharge (flow rate)
What affects water quality?
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Natural things… like:
What affects water quality?