Water Quality Lab Report

Words: 422
Pages: 2

This lab investigates the water quality of the U-High creek based on the microinvertebrates found in the creek. There are many ways to measure water quality, including pH, levels of dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. A river or creek is considered unhealthy if the pH is between 1-6.5 and 8.5-14. A healthy range of pH for a river is 6.5-8.5. Low levels of dissolved oxygen means that pollution has entered the water. Dissolved oxygen is considered the most important abiotic factor. It is oxygen molecules that have mixed with water molecules. Dissolved oxygen is affected by temperature, mixing, decay, and pollution. The nitrogen content varies. If there is 1.0 or less nitrogen in the water, it is considered healthy and 3.0-5.0 is considered unhealthy. …show more content…
High levels of phosphorus is an indicator that pollution has entered the water. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water can decrease organism life, algae and plant growth. (Riverwatch, 2013). Depending on the healthiness of the river, microinvertebrates feed in many different ways. Depending on the type of ecolife in the river, you can tell pollution has entered the water. (Riverwatch, 2013). Diversity, regarding organisms, is also a characteristic of a healthy river. If there is a large diversity of organisms living in the water, then the water if fairly healthy. When organisms are pollution tolerant and are found in the water, the water must be polluted. Organisms that are moderate pollution tolerant and are found in the water means that the water is slightly polluted. Organisms that are pollution intolerant and are found in the water means that the water is not polluted and it is high quality water. The organisms found in the water help determine the water quality by whether or not the are pollution tolerant. (Riverwatch,