Water Quality Indicators

Question 1

What benefits do wetlands provide ?

Answer 1

• water quality improvements
• flood detention
• increase aquatic n terrestrial habitat in urban areas
• cultural ecosystem services
• other ecosystem services

Question 2

pH

Answer 2

Measures alkalinity and acidity of water.
Effect on water quality: too acidic or too basic

Question 3

Turbidity

Answer 3

Waters clarity (the amount of suspended sediment in a sample)

Caused by erosion, pollution, and results in poor water quality

Question 4

Temperature

Answer 4

Measure of heat of the water
Warming water holds LESS DISSOLVED OXYGEN

Question 5

Salinity

Answer 5

Caused by agriculture or rising salinity from groundwater or tree cover loss

Question 6

Dissolved oxygen

Answer 6

Needed to support life in water. HIGH levels of dissolves oxygen SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY

stopped by clearing plants n riparian areas n algae

Question 7

Nitrogen n phosphorus

Answer 7

When excesses can cause algae blooms

Question 8

Macro invertebrates

Answer 8

Can be seen without microscope. Types present can b used to show water quality. Sensitive ones = high quality

Question 9

Signal 2

Answer 9

Number and type of bugs in water