Chemicals and Bacteria We Are Testing In Water:
Copper Nugget
Copper:
Copper is an auburn, orange colored soft metal. Copper doesn’t react with water, which is why it’s easily found with plumbing in homes. It’s beneficial to the environment because it provides trace minerals that a majority of life needs to survive. However, it can be toxic in its free form.
Copper is an auburn, orange colored soft metal. Copper doesn’t react with water, which is why it’s easily found with plumbing in homes. It’s beneficial to the environment because it provides trace minerals that a majority of life needs to survive. However, it can be toxic in its free form.
Iron I-Beam
Iron:
Iron can be in different shades of gray, and does not rust in dry air. Most things need iron to survive as much as they need copper. Iron is the most used metal in the world; it’s found in our food and in our environments. When let out in large amounts, it can be harmful, so it can also be considered a pollutant. Too much iron or copper in your body can kill you.
Iron can be in different shades of gray, and does not rust in dry air. Most things need iron to survive as much as they need copper. Iron is the most used metal in the world; it’s found in our food and in our environments. When let out in large amounts, it can be harmful, so it can also be considered a pollutant. Too much iron or copper in your body can kill you.
Nitrate Molecule
Nitrates:
Nitrates react with organic materials, algae and other plants feed on it. It is found commonly in fertilizer runoff, and is found in many bodies of water and soils. Algae can overgrow if the amount of nitrates is not moderated. Nitrate is fine in small amounts, but will cause damage in large amounts. It can build up in blood of organisms causing poisoning and damage to the body.
Nitrates react with organic materials, algae and other plants feed on it. It is found commonly in fertilizer runoff, and is found in many bodies of water and soils. Algae can overgrow if the amount of nitrates is not moderated. Nitrate is fine in small amounts, but will cause damage in large amounts. It can build up in blood of organisms causing poisoning and damage to the body.
Nitrite Molecule
Nitrites:
Nitrite is a naturally occurring inorganic ion. It happens from the decay of ammonia. It usually comes from things such as animal waste and fertilizer. It has no benefits and can be toxic in large amounts. It can be harmful if there is a large quantity in groundwater, where it is generally found. More than 1 mg/L is considered toxic. Toddlers and elders are especially sensitive to the toxicity of this chemical. Some effects may be carcinogenic and potentially cause cancer.
Nitrite is a naturally occurring inorganic ion. It happens from the decay of ammonia. It usually comes from things such as animal waste and fertilizer. It has no benefits and can be toxic in large amounts. It can be harmful if there is a large quantity in groundwater, where it is generally found. More than 1 mg/L is considered toxic. Toddlers and elders are especially sensitive to the toxicity of this chemical. Some effects may be carcinogenic and potentially cause cancer.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Molecules
Dissolved Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide:
Plants and animals in water need dissolved oxygen to survive. Too much carbon dioxide in the water will prevent fish from getting oxygen they need, and without the organisms exhaling, no more carbon dioxide will be produced, resulting in the plants dying. Therefore, a balance is needed. In still water, there is less dissolved oxygen as it has less contact with the air. Oxygen and carbon dioxide enter the water from rain, waves, and currents.
Plants and animals in water need dissolved oxygen to survive. Too much carbon dioxide in the water will prevent fish from getting oxygen they need, and without the organisms exhaling, no more carbon dioxide will be produced, resulting in the plants dying. Therefore, a balance is needed. In still water, there is less dissolved oxygen as it has less contact with the air. Oxygen and carbon dioxide enter the water from rain, waves, and currents.
Ammonia Molecule
Ammonia:
Ammonia is part of the natural nitrogen cycle, and is produced as a natural byproduct through urination and defecation of most animals. Even at low levels, ammonia can be toxic to organisms living in the water.
Ammonia is part of the natural nitrogen cycle, and is produced as a natural byproduct through urination and defecation of most animals. Even at low levels, ammonia can be toxic to organisms living in the water.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity:
Alkalinity is the power of water to balance acid (it is a measure of ions in the water). Water is made more acidic by compounds that release hydrogen ions. Alkalinity affects pH, which is the measurement of hydrogen ion concentration. Alkalinity helps the sea life, as it is sensitive to the pH difference. If the pH does change, some more sensitive species will die, causing a chain reaction in the ecosystem.
Alkalinity is the power of water to balance acid (it is a measure of ions in the water). Water is made more acidic by compounds that release hydrogen ions. Alkalinity affects pH, which is the measurement of hydrogen ion concentration. Alkalinity helps the sea life, as it is sensitive to the pH difference. If the pH does change, some more sensitive species will die, causing a chain reaction in the ecosystem.
E.coli Bacteria
E. coli:
E. coli is a bacteria which lives inside healthy humans and animals. It can be found in the intestines, which tends to cause digestive problems and diarrhea. Thankfully, most are normally harmless. E. coli is common in cows, and it can spread to humans by drinking unpasteurized milk or eating uncooked meat. E. coli does not threaten or harm salmonid species, but it can affect us. Since it can be transferred from fish to humans, this is mostly concerning to us.
E. coli is a bacteria which lives inside healthy humans and animals. It can be found in the intestines, which tends to cause digestive problems and diarrhea. Thankfully, most are normally harmless. E. coli is common in cows, and it can spread to humans by drinking unpasteurized milk or eating uncooked meat. E. coli does not threaten or harm salmonid species, but it can affect us. Since it can be transferred from fish to humans, this is mostly concerning to us.
Phosphate Molecule
Phosphate:
Phosphate comes in three different forms: Orthophosphate, metaphosphate, and also the organically bound, phosphate. Orthophosphate is made within natural cycles as well as human generated things, such as sewage waste and fluids that contain fertilizer. It accelerates the growth of plants, which can be good in starting and accelerating the aquatic life, but the end result is that it dies off sooner as well. It is only harmful in large quantities for this reason.
Phosphate comes in three different forms: Orthophosphate, metaphosphate, and also the organically bound, phosphate. Orthophosphate is made within natural cycles as well as human generated things, such as sewage waste and fluids that contain fertilizer. It accelerates the growth of plants, which can be good in starting and accelerating the aquatic life, but the end result is that it dies off sooner as well. It is only harmful in large quantities for this reason.
Turbidity
Turbidity:
Turbidity is the measure of the clarity of water, which is often related to the amount of total dissolved solids. It can indicate suspended sediment in the water, which makes the water appear murky. Turbidity is considered a pollutant as it prevents light from reaching plants and affects what fish can see. Turbidity is prevented simply by removing trash and algae, and stopping excessive sediment runoff into flowing bodies of water.
Turbidity is the measure of the clarity of water, which is often related to the amount of total dissolved solids. It can indicate suspended sediment in the water, which makes the water appear murky. Turbidity is considered a pollutant as it prevents light from reaching plants and affects what fish can see. Turbidity is prevented simply by removing trash and algae, and stopping excessive sediment runoff into flowing bodies of water.
Enterococci Bacteria
Enterococci:
Enterococci is found in egg products and inside of the intestines of many animals. This bacteria can cause infection if it gets in blood and wounds. It is used to evaluate the safety of beach waters, and studies have shown that it is how sand is made.
Enterococci is found in egg products and inside of the intestines of many animals. This bacteria can cause infection if it gets in blood and wounds. It is used to evaluate the safety of beach waters, and studies have shown that it is how sand is made.
pH Strip
pH:
pH is used to measure whether a liquid is more acidic or more basic. The lower the pH, the more acidic the liquid is. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14. For example, the pH of lemon juice (an acid) is 2. The pH of bleach (a strong base), for comparison, is about a 13.
pH is used to measure whether a liquid is more acidic or more basic. The lower the pH, the more acidic the liquid is. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14. For example, the pH of lemon juice (an acid) is 2. The pH of bleach (a strong base), for comparison, is about a 13.
Coliform Bacteria
Coliform:
Coliform is always found in the bodies of both human and animals, and can be found in their fecal matter. It's also found in natural bodies of water. If there's too much of it in said bodies of water, it's considered harmful as well as a pollutant. If it's found at all in drinking water, it is also considered a pollutant. In human body systems, it is capable of causing things such as headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Coliform is always found in the bodies of both human and animals, and can be found in their fecal matter. It's also found in natural bodies of water. If there's too much of it in said bodies of water, it's considered harmful as well as a pollutant. If it's found at all in drinking water, it is also considered a pollutant. In human body systems, it is capable of causing things such as headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Silica:
Silica is a compound of both oxygen and silicon, and is found in almost 90% of the Earth's crust. Due to its abundance, it is very inexpensive, and is often used in industrial applications. Silica affects the water, and ultimately our trout - too much silica affects the turbidity of the water, and the less clear water is, the less sunlight is able to reach into the water, causing loss of life for all living organisms inside.
Silica is a compound of both oxygen and silicon, and is found in almost 90% of the Earth's crust. Due to its abundance, it is very inexpensive, and is often used in industrial applications. Silica affects the water, and ultimately our trout - too much silica affects the turbidity of the water, and the less clear water is, the less sunlight is able to reach into the water, causing loss of life for all living organisms inside.
Cyanide:
Cyanide is a chemical compound composed of carbon and nitrogen with organic and inorganic compounds that is and can be found naturally or artificially, and is used in mining, making plastic, or electroplating. Cyanide as a chemical is one that is toxic to most forms of life at low levels, and depending on how much is consumed, may cause death
Cyanide is a chemical compound composed of carbon and nitrogen with organic and inorganic compounds that is and can be found naturally or artificially, and is used in mining, making plastic, or electroplating. Cyanide as a chemical is one that is toxic to most forms of life at low levels, and depending on how much is consumed, may cause death
Chromium/Chromate:
Chromium is a natural mineral found in many things. Chromium affects the quality of water by creating a layer on the surface. This layer adheres to the gills of the fish inside the water, making it very difficult to breath, and often causes death. Fortunately chromium is rarely found above ground, often inside mines around the world.
Chromium is a natural mineral found in many things. Chromium affects the quality of water by creating a layer on the surface. This layer adheres to the gills of the fish inside the water, making it very difficult to breath, and often causes death. Fortunately chromium is rarely found above ground, often inside mines around the world.
Sulfide:
Sulfur is one of the most basic elements. Sulfide is simply Sulfur and another element mixed - such as Hydrogen Sulfide, the more common form. Sulfide is very dangerous. A few breaths of concentrated hydrogen sulfide can cause almost immediate death, and hydrogen sulfide lingers in the air on average between one and forty two days long. A concentrated amount of Sulfide is also very fatal, but Sulfide also does good for the environment, such as providing nutrients to our plants.
Sulfur is one of the most basic elements. Sulfide is simply Sulfur and another element mixed - such as Hydrogen Sulfide, the more common form. Sulfide is very dangerous. A few breaths of concentrated hydrogen sulfide can cause almost immediate death, and hydrogen sulfide lingers in the air on average between one and forty two days long. A concentrated amount of Sulfide is also very fatal, but Sulfide also does good for the environment, such as providing nutrients to our plants.
Chlorine:
Chlorine is a naturally occurring element that is both beneficial and harmful - it has a proven track record of killing most bacteria and viruses, cleaning water, having a defense against re-contamination, and therefore making the water safe for fish. However, too much chlorine is known for lethal and sub-lethal effects, such as deformities, infertility, and other injuries. Chlorine persists for very little time in both land, sea and air, often only a handful of minutes.
Chlorine is a naturally occurring element that is both beneficial and harmful - it has a proven track record of killing most bacteria and viruses, cleaning water, having a defense against re-contamination, and therefore making the water safe for fish. However, too much chlorine is known for lethal and sub-lethal effects, such as deformities, infertility, and other injuries. Chlorine persists for very little time in both land, sea and air, often only a handful of minutes.
Biological Oxygen Demand:
Biological Oxygen Demand is the measurement of DO, Dissolved Oxygen,that organisms in stagnant or other kinds of water take and consume. This affects trout because it depletes their DO supply and they either have to migrate somewhere else or die from lack of oxygen.
Biological Oxygen Demand is the measurement of DO, Dissolved Oxygen,that organisms in stagnant or other kinds of water take and consume. This affects trout because it depletes their DO supply and they either have to migrate somewhere else or die from lack of oxygen.
Temperature:
Temperature of the water is also an important factor in how the water, and ultimately the trout is affected. The warmer, or colder, the water is from its ideal temperature, the more any life in the water is affected. Some plants and fish are adjusted for warmer temperatures, while others are adjusted for colder temperatures. Attempting to raise a fish in a temperature it is not adjusted to can lead to death of the fish. For the Steelhead Trout, the hottest the water can be is 27.2° Celsius, and the coldest it can go is near freezing - in some cases to 6° Celsius.
Temperature of the water is also an important factor in how the water, and ultimately the trout is affected. The warmer, or colder, the water is from its ideal temperature, the more any life in the water is affected. Some plants and fish are adjusted for warmer temperatures, while others are adjusted for colder temperatures. Attempting to raise a fish in a temperature it is not adjusted to can lead to death of the fish. For the Steelhead Trout, the hottest the water can be is 27.2° Celsius, and the coldest it can go is near freezing - in some cases to 6° Celsius.
All Image Credits: K. Cunningham and L. Chung