Water Quality Indicators
Soil Quality Indicators
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dissolved Oxygen:
 
 
        Dissolved oxygen is essential for the maintenance of healthy lakes and rivers. Most aquatic plants and animals need oxygen to survive. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in water has a variety of sources including the atmosphere. Algae and aquatic plants also deliver oxygen to water through photosynthesis. DO levels rise from morning through afternoon as a result of photosynthetic activity, reaching a peak in late afternoon. DO levels fall to their lowest point just before dawn. The amount of dissolved oxygen found in the water is greatly affected by both biotic and abiotic factors. Organic material can enter river systems in various ways. Sewage systems and septic tanks, urban and agricultural runoff, the discharges of food processing plants or other industrial plants are the major culprits. Organic waste is essentially a fertilizer that stimulates the growth of algae or aerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria consumes oxygen while decomposing organic material. Hence the more organic material, the larger the algae population the more oxygen being consumed.  Depletion in DO causes major shifts in the kind of aquatic organisms found in the river system.  When testing for DO it is important that samples are taken away from the shore and taken at various depths. DO tests should be run immediately after sampling and early in the morning to ensure the most accurate readings for that site.
 
 
Fecal Coliform:
 
 
    Fecal coliform bacteria ( Escheri coli ) is found in the feces of warm blooded animal wastes.  In fact fecal coliform naturally occurs in  the human digestive tract to aid in digestion.  Coliform can enter water sources directly via storm water runoff and sewage discharged into the water. Fecal coliform levels are monitored because of the correlation between fecal coliform counts and the probability of contracting a disease from the water. These diseases are actually the result of the pathogenic organisms often found to accompany E. coli colonies.
 
pH:
 
 
    A pH test measures the concentration of  H+  ions in substances.  Substances are then given a pH value ranging from 0-14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral due to the equal concentration of both H+ and OH-.  The pH of natural water is usually between 6.5 and 8.5. Increased amounts of emissions from automobiles and coal-dependent plants are converted into acids in the atmosphere. These acids combine with moisture and fall to the earth as acid rain. Hence changing the pH of the surface water. Changes in pH can have wide and varied effects on the aquatic organisms present in a body of water.  Extremely low or extremely high readings, more acidic or more basic, are detrimental to most organisms.
 
 
Temperature:
 
 
     Temperature is important for water quality. Many of the characteristics of a river are directly related to the affects of temperature. Some of these characteristics include the amount of dissolved oxygen, photosynthetic rates, metabolic rates of aquatic organisms etc...  The most serious way that humans effect temperature of their local waterways is through thermal pollution. Thermal pollution is caused by an increase in water temperature due to the influx ion of a warm water mass into a colder water mass. This warm water may be from industrial sources, storm water run off from urban sources, or the removal of vegetation from river and stream banks. With an increase in water temperature, there is an accompanying increase in photosynthetic activity. As more plants grow more plants die, these plants are then consumed by bacteria, which in turn decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen available for consumption by other organisms. In addition to changes in metabolic rates and cycles, increase in temperature may also cause an increased sensitivity to diseases and parasites. Typically organisms such as mayflies, water beetles, trout, stone fly nymphs thrive at temperatures ranging from 13o C to 20o C. Organisms such as bass, crappie, salmon, and many fish related diseases thrive at temperatures greater than 20oC.
 
 
 
Phosphates:
 
 
     Organic phosphate is an essential part of living plants and animals, it is a fundamental element in metabolic reactions. Plant growth is limited by the amount of phosphate they have available to use. Generally phosphate is the growth- limiting factor in water ecosystems. Human connections to eutrophication are linked to the increased use of nutrient based fertilizers. Typical sources of  phosphate include human wastes, fertilizers, industrial wastes and animal wastes.  Soil erosion, caused by the removal of river bank vegetation also contributes to the addition of phosphate products to river systems.
 
 
 
Nitrates:
 
 
    Nitrogen is an important element needed by all living things. It is an essential part to the building of proteins. Most higher organisms acquire the oxygen they need for metabolic process through the consumption of other organic material. Typically wildlife excretes unused nitrogenous waste via ammonia. Aquatic birds are generally the largest contributors of nitrogen found in river systems. Because nitrogen is also a plant and bacteria nutrient it is also linked to eutrophication. However, nitrates are not a limiting factor in the growth of plant life therefore plants are not as sensitive to nitrate increase as they are to phosphate increases. Humans contribute nitrates to the rivers via improperly treated sewage.
        Septic systems are extremely common in rural areas. In properly functioning septic systems soil particles remove nitrates before they reach the groundwater. Yet two factors can prevent septic systems from working at their full capacity. It is important that septic systems be properly located to all maximum distance from the water table. It is also extremely important that septic tanks be emptied on a regular basis to prevent plugs and clogs in the system. High levels of nitrates can lead to "blue baby" syndrome. Other important sources of nitrates include fertilizers and runoff from agricultural areas, especially dairies and barnyards. As mentioned in the phosphate discussion the end results of phosphate loading is eutrophication of the water way. It is important to have spotless glassware rinsed with demineralized water. Distilled water contains ammonia ( NH3 ) ions which will interfere with the test.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
pH:
 
    The scale used to measure how acid or alkaline soil is is the pH scale.  Soil pH is directly related to the amount of nutrients available for plant consumption. When the pH is low there is an indication that the phosphates available in the soil are tied up and therefore not available for plant growth. This in turn may then limit the bacterial growth that produces nitrates
 
 
 
 
 
Phosphorus:
 
Phosphorus is necessary for the speed of seedling development and promotes root formation. In mature plants phosphorus is necessary for the development of healthy seeds and fruit.
 
 
 
Nitrogen:
 
Nitrogen is an important  part of all amino acids, the building blocks of all protein molecules. Nitrogen is highly involved in the processes of photosynthesis. Not only does it stimulate above ground growth but is also the source of the rich green color found in healthy plants. Nitrates are produced through the decomposition of organic material, the application of fertilizers and the action of nitrogen fixating microorganisms.
 
 
 
 
Potassium
Potash:
    Potassium is an important agent which acts as a catalyst in a number of plant chemical processes. Potassium particularly promotes the photosynthetic activity, efficient use of water, and the establishment of a strong root system.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To View Testing Protocols Please Click on The Appropriate Symbol
Dissolved
Oxygen
Fecal 
Coliform
pH
Phosphates
Nitrates
 
Soil pH
Soil Phosphates
Soil Nitrates
Soil Potassium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lamotte
Dissolved Oxygen Test Protocol

1. Record the temperature of the water

2. Record the atmospheric pressure. Remove the stopper and immerse collection bottle beneath the river surface.

3. Allow the the water to overflow for 2-3 minutes. This is to ensure elimination of air bubbles.
 Make sure that no air bubbles are present when you take the bottle from the river.

4. Add 8 drops of Manganous Sulfate Powder . Then add 8 drops of Alkaline Iodide Azide Powder.

5. Insert the stopper, making sure no air is trapped inside shake vigorously to fully mix. Be careful not to splash. If Oxygen is present, a brownish-orange precipitate will form. If air bubbles form after the first shake, discard the ample and begin the test again.

6. Allow the sample to stand until the precipitate settles halfway. When the top half of the sample turns clear, shake again, and wait, for the same changes.

7. Add one gram of sulfamic Acid Powder to sample and shake. The precipitation will dissolve and the water should  have a brownish-yellow tinge.

8. Pour 20 ml of sample into titration container.

9. Fill titration tube with Sodium Thiosulfate. Add drop wise to the water sample until sample turns a light yellow. Be sure to hold the titration tube straight up and down above the bottle.

10. Add 5 drops of starch solution to the sample, this will turn the sample blue.

11. While swirling the sample to mix, continue adding Sodium Thiosulfate to the sample one drop at a time until the blue color disappears. Place a piece of white paper behind your sample tube in order to better observe the color change.

11. Record the amount of Sodium Thiosulfate added to achieve your color change. This is equivalent to the amount of dissolved oxygen in your sample measured in mg/l.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Coli scan Easy gel
Fecal Coliform Test Protocol
 
 
For a  simplified method of fecal coliform testing try Coli scan Easy gel. This method does not rely on the precise placement of filters within a vacuum filtration setup. While being slightly less discriminating the easy gel method is actually more accurate due to a decrease in protocol errors.  In the Easy gel method Fecal coliform grows as bright purple colonies, while other coliform bacteria grow as red colonies. Both are easily seen with the naked eye.

1. Use a sterile calibrated dropper to add 3 ml of water sample to the bottle containing the liquid Coli scan medium. ( This procedure can be done in the field. Remember  to keep the water sample on ice until returning to the lab. )

2. Pour the Coli scan water mixture into a petri dish and swirl to cover the entire bottom of the petri dish.

3. Place petri dishes in a warm place to incubate for 24-48 hours. Petri dishes need to sit undisturbed for 45 minutes or until firm. Then invert the plates for the remainder of their incubation time.  ( Bacteria may be incubated at either room temperature or in an incubation oven. If choosing to do the room temperature method, a temperature of 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit is best. This method requires the dishes to incubate for 48 hours. )

4. Count the number of red colonies in the petri dishes as general coliform  and the purple colonies as fecal coliform ( E. coli). Results are usually record as the number of colonies per 100 ml of water sample.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

pH Meter Testing Protocol
 
1. Collect a sufficient sample of water so that  the electrode can be fully immersed.

2. Be sure pH meter has been calibrated with standards prior to using.

3. Immerse electrode in sample, turn on pH meter.

4. Wait until the reading has stabilized record the value.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lamotte
Phosphate Testing Protocol
1. Add 5 ml of water sample to test tube.

2. Add 1.0 ml of Vm Phosphate Reagent to the test tube. Mix the contents well. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for five minutes. A light yellow color may appear at this point.

3. Add 3 drops of  of the Phosphate Reducing Reagent. Invert the test tube to mix well.

4. If phosphate is present, a blue color will form. Insert the test tube into the Vm Phosphate Comparator and match the color of the test tube to the known values of the standards.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hach
Nitrate Testing Protocol
0 to 1.0 mg / L Range
1. Fill one of the color viewing tubes to the mark with the water sample. Stopper the tube and shake well. Empty the tube and repeat the above procedure.

2. Open one NitraVer 6 Nitrate Reagent powder pillows. Add the contents of the pillow to the sample to be tested. Stopper and shake well for three minutes. Allow the test tube to sit undisturbed for an additional thirty seconds. Unoxidized particles of cadmium metal will remain in the sample and settle to the bottom of the tube.

3. Carefully transfer the liquid from the first test tube to a second viewing tube so as to leave the remaining cadmium particles.

4. Open one NitriVer 3 Nitrite Reagent powder pillow. Add the contents to the water sample. Shake well for thirty seconds.

5. If  Nitrates are present a pink-red color will appear. Allow at lest ten minutes but no more than twenty minutes for the full color to form.

6. Insert the tube with the water sample into the right opening of the comparator.

7. Rinse the remaining cadmium particles from the first test tube using demineralized water. Empty contents into a toxic waste collection container. ( Do not dispose of Cadmium waste down the drain)

8. Fill the freshly cleaned test tube with some of the original water sample. Place this tube into the left opening of the comparator.

9. Hold the color comparator up to the light ( natural light works best ) and view through the opening in the front of the comparator. Rotate the disk  until the samples match in both color and density. Read the milligrams per liter from the scale. To obtain the results as milligrams per liter Nitrate multiply the reading on the scale by 4.4.

      Please note the above mentioned test was for low levels of nitrates, additional kits can be purchased that are for wider ranges of detection. Also note that there are several new Nitrate tests on the market that do not utilize Cadmium metal as part of their testing reagents. The advantage to using these new kits is the elimination of the need for toxic waste disposal. The disadvantage to these kits is often they are not as sensitive and can be more expensive to run then the the Cadmium based ones.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lamotte
Soil  pH Testing Protocol
1. Spread out the composite sample on a clean sheet of paper or plastic

2. Allow the soil to dry several hours or overnight. Do not bake the samples to accelerate drying.

3. Remove foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, and stones.

4. Gently crush soil to remove lumps.

5. Sift the samples through a screen or flour sifter to give a uniform sample.

6. Fill the test tube to line four with pH Indicator Solution.

7. Add 1.5 grams of soil sample to the same test tube.

8. Cap and shake gently for one minute.

9. Allow the tube to stand for ten minutes to let the soil settle.

10. Match color reaction with pH color chart. Record the results as pH.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lamotte
Soil Phosphorus Testing Protocol
1. Spread out the composite sample on a clean sheet of paper or plastic

2. Allow the soil to dry several hours or overnight. Do not bake the samples to accelerate drying.

3. Remove foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, and stones.

4. Gently crush soil to remove lumps.

5. Sift the samples through a screen or flour sifter to give a uniform sample.

6. Fill the test tube to line six with Phosphorus Extracting Solution.

7. Add 1.5 grams of soil sample to the same test tube.

8. Cap and shake for one minute. Remove the cap Allow to stand ands soil to settle until the liquid is clear.

9. Use one pipette to transfer clear liquid to another test tube. Be careful to avoid agitation of the soil. Fill the second test tube to the third line.

10. Add 6 drops of Phosphorus Indicator Reagent to soil extract in the second tube. Cap and shake to mix contents.

11. Add one Phosphorus Test Tablet. Cap and shake to dissolve tablet. A blue color will develop.

12. Match the color with Phosphorus Color Chart. Record as the relative level of Phosphorus.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lamotte
Soil Nitrogen Testing Protocol
 

1. Spread out the composite sample on a clean sheet of paper or plastic

2. Allow the soil to dry several hours or overnight. Do not bake the samples to accelerate drying.

3. Remove foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, and stones.

4. Gently crush soil to remove lumps.

5. Sift the samples through a screen or flour sifter to give a uniform sample.

6. Fill this tube to line seven with Nitrogen Extracting Solution.

7. Add 1.5 grams of soil sample to same test tube.

8. Cap and gently shake for one minute. Remove cap and allow soil to settle.

9. Use a clean pipette to transfer the clear liquid to a second clean test tube. Be careful to avoid agitation of the soil in the bottom of the test tube.

10. Add 0.5 grams of Nitrogen Indicator Powder to the soil extract in the second tube.

11. Cap and gently shake to mix. Wait five minutes for pink color to develop above the powder.

12. Match test tube color with Nitrogen Color Chart. Record as relative Nitrogen level.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lamotte
Soil Potassium Testing Protocol
1. Spread out the composite sample on a clean sheet of paper or plastic

2. Allow the soil to dry several hours or overnight. Do not bake the samples to accelerate drying.

3. Remove foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, and stones.

4. Gently crush soil to remove lumps.

5. Sift the samples through a screen or flour sifter to give a uniform sample.

6. Fill the test tube to line seven with Potassium Extracting Solution.

7. Add 2.0grams of soil to the same test tube. cap and gently shake for one minute. Remove cap and allow soil to settle.

8. Use a clean pipette and remove the clear liquid from the test tube. Be careful not to agitate the soil in the bottom of the test tube. Fill the second test tube to line five with the clear liquid.

9. Add one Potassium Indicator Tablet to soil extract in the second tube. Cap and shake to dissolve the purple tablet. A purplish color will appear.

10. Add Potassium Test Solution two drops at a time, keep count. Swirl the test tube after each addition to mix contents. Stop adding drops when color changes from purplish to blue.

11. Use Potassium End Point Color Chart as a guide in reading this color change. Keep an accurate count of the number of drops added. Read test result from the table. Record as the relative amount of Potassium.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Weighing Factors
DO. .17
Coliform .16
pH .11
BOD .11
Temperature .11
Total Phosphate .10
Nitrates .10
Turbidity .08
Total Solids .07
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Organic Material:

Anything that was once part of a living plant or animal.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Biotic Factors:

Biotic factors are those factors caused by living organisms in the environment. The largest biotic influence contributing to DO readings are humans. Humanity causes changes in DO readings by their contribution to organic waste build up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Abiotic Factors:

Abiotic factors are those caused by factors in the environment that are not related to living organisms directly. Abiotic factors include the physical environment, climate, chemical consistuents, etc....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sewage Systems:

There are two basic types of sewer systems common to urban and suburban areas. Combined Sewer Systems are just that a combination of sanitary wastes and storm water runoff. In this type of system both the storm water runoff and the sanitary waste are treated at a waste water treatment plant. After a heavy rain, untreated water is frequently diverted into rivers and streams to avoid flooding the water treatment plant. In a separate sewer system sanitary waste flows through sewers to a waste water treatment plant before being discharged into the local rivers and streams. These sewers are separate from those that are used by storm water runoff, which discharge untreated water directly into rivers. Thus heavy rains result in bird and pet wastes being deposited into local rivers. It is important to note the weather the day of and the day prior to testing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Eutrophication:

Generally defined as the depravation of dissolved oxygen which results in the elimination of organisms. Eutrophication is caused by the dramatic increase in organic material which serves as food for bacteria. The first sign of eutrophication is an algal bloom, or a dramatic increase in the amount of algae in an area. As the algae continues to grow the demand on the nutrients in the water continues to increase. Eventually the entire water body will fill with aquatic vegetation. This creates anaerobic conditions where oxygen is no longer present. This causes a major shift in aquatic species, leaving only those that can survive in the most polluted conditions. Eutrophication can be reversed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Blue baby Syndrome:
 Characterized by the skin carrying a blue tinge. This is due to the inability of the hemoglobin in the blood to carry a maximum amount of oxygen .