Water Parameters

Question 1

Dissolved Oxygen

Answer 1

ppm O2
Lotic: 6-9ppm
Lentic: Surface-5ppm
Bogs-50ppm

Question 2

CO2

Answer 2

mg/L CO2
Lotic: <10mg/L
Lentic: <10mg/L (Stagnant:>10mg/L)

Question 3

Acidity

Answer 3

mg/L CaCO3
Lotic: 100-500mg/L
Lentic: 200-400mg/L

Question 4

Alkalinity

Answer 4

mg/L CaCO3
Lotic: 100-500mg/L
Lentic: 200-400mg/L

Question 5

pH

Answer 5

No Units
Lotic: 6.5-9.5
Lentic: 7-9 (Ocean: 8.1)

Question 6

Hardness

Answer 6

Quantitative measure of calcium and magnesium in water
mg/L CaCO3
Lotic: 100-330mg/L
Lentic: >150mg/L

Question 7

EC

Answer 7

Ability to conduct electricity ([ions])
uS/cm
Lotic and Lentic: 30-2000uS/cm
Seawater: 50 000uS/cm

Question 8

TDS

Answer 8

Differentiates types of ions and other substances
ppm OR mg/L dissolved content
Lentic and Lotic: 300-500ppm

Question 9

Nitrate

Answer 9

mg/L NO3-
lentic and lotic: 0-15mg/L
typically under 1 mg/L

Question 10

Phosphate

Answer 10

mg/L PO4 3-
Lentic and lotic: 0-5 mg/L
typically under 0.1mg/L