The Importance Of Turbidity In Water

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PARAMETERS ph The pH is a measure of the acidity of a solution and ranges in scale from 0 to 14 (from very acid to very alkaline). A pH value of 7 is considered 'neutral'. In natural waters, pH is generally between 6.0 and 8.5. In waters with little or no buffering capacity, pH is related to alkalinity which is controlled by concentrations of carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides in the water. Waters of low alkalinity (< 24 ml/L as CaCO3) have a low buffering capacity and are susceptible to changes in pH from outside sources. Turbidity Turbidity in water is caused by suspended material such as clay, silt, finely divided organic and inorganic matter, soluable coloured compounds and plankton and microscopic organisms. Turbidity is an expression…show more content…
Cooler waters are more capable of holding DO than warmer waters and hence there are generally higher concentrations of DO during the cooler months as opposed to the warmer summer months. Salinity also affects DO concentrations with the solubility of DO increasing with decreasing salinity. Diurnal fluctuations in DO can be quite marked with night-time concentrations lower than those experienced during daylight hours. This is in part a function of in-stream photosynthetic and respiratory activity with decreasing DO at night influenced by the respiratory activity of aquatic…show more content…
Discharges from dairy sheds and sewage treatment plants can also contribute to elevated nutrient levels if not properly managed. The process of nutrient enrichment is called eutrophication. Excess nutrient enrichment can lead to algal blooms. Factors contributing to the establishment of a bloom can be the transportation of large quantities of nutrients and a prolonged period of calm dry weather. Once a bloom is established it can persist for long periods even during winter. Turbidity can sometimes be correlated with nutrients, however, to get a true relationship between turbidity and phosphate there needs to be a sizeable amount of data. Increases in total phosphate and total nitrogen can sometimes be correlated with an increase in turbidity and total suspended solids measured, particularly during flood events. This is because nutrients such as phosphates often adhere to clay particles, and it is during flood events when much of the material suspended is made up of sediment, soil and detritus. This can be from surface run off from the land, from the river bed, or eroded river banks. Type of samples Grab

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