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Aquatic Ecology: Abiotic Factors

Pages 137 - 148

Aquatic Ecosystems

Water Quality

The biological, chemical, and physical properties of water as they apply to the safety of human/animal contact and ecosystem health.

Why should we test the quality of water?

And how can we evaluate it?

Water Uses

Recreational: Swimming Fishing Boating

Water Uses

Economical: Irrigation Hydroelectric

Energy Nuclear Power

Plants

Changes in Water Quality

Climate Changes

Seasonal Changes

Water Cycle

How Water Pollution Occurs

Direct Pollution: identifiable source of pollution, primarily due the the actions of a person, or group of people.

Examples: Oil Spills Trash Dumping

Changes in Water Quality

Pollution

How Water Pollution Occurs

Indirect Pollution: unidentifiable source of pollution, caused indirectly by human actions

Examples: Agricultural Runoff Acid Rain

Changes in Water Quality

Acid Rain

Changes in Water Quality

Urban and Industrial Runoff

Consequences of Water Pollution

Water Contamination

Eutrophication and Excessive Algae Growth

Ecosystem Imbalance

Eutrophication

An excess of nutrients from chemicals introduced to a body of water that promotes rapid growth of algae.

The resulting algal bloom can affect the health of the entire ecosystem.

Analysis of Water Quality

Quality is based on two major factors: Biotic – the living components (which will be

covered next week) Abiotic – the non-living components

Analysis of Water Quality

Biotic Components

Plant and Animal Life

Pathogens

Macro invertebrates

Aquatic Plant Life

Abiotic Components

Dissolved Oxygen

Conductivity

pH

Nutrients

Temperature

Optical Density

Summary

Water quality is a key indicator of the health of ecosystems. All organisms depend on it to some degree, and there are various biotic and abiotic methods of determining the health of the water. These can change over time, but we as humans play a major role in shaping and enhancing water quality.

Today’s Lab

Site: Lake Wells

All of Part A in the lab manual, Pages 141 – 148

Each bench will do every factor

Bench

Measurement

1 Nitrate (Pg. 146)

2 Phosphate (Pg. 146)

3 Conductivity (Pg. 145)

4 Dissolved Oxygen (Pg. 142)

5 Temperature/pH (Pg. 142 – 144)