The turbidity water tests measure the clarity of water. They measure the decrease in the passage of light through a water sample. This is measured in nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs).
These tests are important because there are standard levels of turbidity for drinking water that must be followed. If water doesn't fall within these guidelines, it would be possible to become sick through viruses, parasites, and bacteria that are correlated with water with high levels of turbidity.
The results of these tests can tell us a lot about our environment and the condition of it. The higher the turbidity is, the less the level of dissolved oxygen is. The dissolved oxygen and the restricted light due to turbidity reduce photosynthesis. In addition, substances clouding the water can harm the water's ecosystem.
Sources:
http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms55.cfm
http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/has/PDFs/Turbidity%20sum.pdf
Total Coliforms/E. Coli
Total Coliforms are a group of bacteria that include Escherichia coli, E. Aurescens, E. freundii, E. Intermedia; Aerobacter, Aerogenes, A. Cloacae. These bacteria are found in each and everyone of us along with warm blooded animals. The bacteria is located in the intestines and then sooner or later find their way into the ground, in plants, and in water sources. Total coliform is not in itself a harmful bacteria, but its presences is a way of locating other harmful organisms. With this knowledge we can test the presence of the total coliform, letting us know if the water is usable. There are two test to that are usually used to measure the amount of total coliforms.
1. Most probable number (MPN)
2. Membrane Filter (MF)
Total Coliform Test
The MPN test measures the Microbial populations in a sample. A sample of the liquid is taken from the liquid (in most cases water) diluted, and then incubated. The sample is then assessed and run through a equation that determines the MPN of a sample. The equation is as follows:[a1p1/(1-e^(-a) 1^x)] + ... + [akpk/(1-e^(-a) k^x)] = a1n1 + ... + aknk
The MF Technique is a way for testing fluid samples for microbiological contaminates. It is less work than other methods. The MF Technique also provides information within 24 hours. It measures the presence or absence of contaminants by running the sample through a filter and looking at the amount of bacteria present.
Water testing is important because some contaminates in the water can be harmful to people if consumed. The ability to purify water is a gift that must be used if possible. In the United States we are very blessed to have relatively clean compared to many third world countries.
These test show the health of the ecosystem that directly impact our water sources the we drink from. These test show us that we need to keep our water clean and protect our environment.
Total Coliforms are a group of bacteria that include Escherichia coli, E. Aurescens, E. freundii, E. Intermedia; Aerobacter, Aerogenes, A. Cloacae. These bacteria are found in each and everyone of us along with warm blooded animals. The bacteria is located in the intestines and then sooner or later find their way into the ground, in plants, and in water sources. Total coliform is not in itself a harmful bacteria, but its presences is a way of locating other harmful organisms. With this knowledge we can test the presence of the total coliform, letting us know if the water is usable. There are two test to that are usually used to measure the amount of total coliforms.
1. Most probable number (MPN)
2. Membrane Filter (MF)
The MPN test measures the Microbial populations in a sample. A sample of the liquid is taken from the liquid (in most cases water) diluted, and then incubated. The sample is then assessed and run through a equation that determines the MPN of a sample. The equation is as follows:
[a1p1/(1-e^(-a) 1^x)] + ... + [akpk/(1-e^(-a) k^x)] = a1n1 + ... + aknk
The MF Technique is a way for testing fluid samples for microbiological contaminates. It is less work than other methods. The MF Technique also provides information within 24 hours. It measures the presence or absence of contaminants by running the sample through a filter and looking at the amount of bacteria present.
Water testing is important because some contaminates in the water can be harmful to people if consumed. The ability to purify water is a gift that must be used if possible. In the United States we are very blessed to have relatively clean compared to many third world countries.
Sources:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/chagedor/biol_4684/Methods/mpn1.html
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02015082#
http://www.millipore.com/membrane/flx4/filtration_basics_hm&tab1=3&tab3=3#tab1=3:tab3=3
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02015082#
http://www.millipore.com/membrane/flx4/filtration_basics_hm&tab1=3&tab3=3#tab1=3:tab3=3
pH
The pH of water tells you how acidic or basic the water is. If the measurement is below seven it is acidic, if it is above seven it is basic. The pH of water can be measured three different ways, through a field kit, pH meter with a probe, or litmus paper.
The pH has an environmental effect on synergistic effects. The effects include the combination of two or more substances that produce synergistic effects more than their sums. This is very important in surface waters, it determines the effect if any.
The results of pH testing can tell us a lot about our environment. The lower the pH the more acidic and oxygen deprived. The higher the pH the more oxygen rich and alkaline. The pH of freshwater affects the life of the fish that reside in the area. If the pH ranges from 6.0 to 9.0 it is able to provide protection to the fish and not cause any harm to them.
Sources:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_pH_level_mean
http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-the-pH-of-Water
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpph.htm
The pH of water tells you how acidic or basic the water is. If the measurement is below seven it is acidic, if it is above seven it is basic. The pH of water can be measured three different ways, through a field kit, pH meter with a probe, or litmus paper.
The pH has an environmental effect on synergistic effects. The effects include the combination of two or more substances that produce synergistic effects more than their sums. This is very important in surface waters, it determines the effect if any.
The results of pH testing can tell us a lot about our environment. The lower the pH the more acidic and oxygen deprived. The higher the pH the more oxygen rich and alkaline. The pH of freshwater affects the life of the fish that reside in the area. If the pH ranges from 6.0 to 9.0 it is able to provide protection to the fish and not cause any harm to them.
Sources:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_pH_level_mean
http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-the-pH-of-Water
http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpph.htm
Total Dissolved Solids
The total dissolved solids tests measure the combined content of organic and inorganic substances contained in a liquid in either ionized or micro-granular form. Essentially, the total dissolved solids are anything in the water that aren't visible (salt, metals, minerals, etc).
These tests are very important because they measure they are significant indicators of water purity. Water with a high concentration of TDS can cause harm in water pipes and the environment.
The results of these tests are measure in parts per million (ppm). This is a ratio of all of the ions to the amount of water used.
Source:
http://www.wqpmag.com/water-testing-101-tds
These tests are very important because they measure they are significant indicators of water purity. Water with a high concentration of TDS can cause harm in water pipes and the environment.
The results of these tests are measure in parts per million (ppm). This is a ratio of all of the ions to the amount of water used.
Source:
http://www.wqpmag.com/water-testing-101-tds
Would you expect water in this area to have a high TDS number or a low TDS number? Why?
ReplyDeleteI'd expect a high number because so many pollutants dump into the Ohio River.
DeleteWhat is e. freeundi??
ReplyDeleteIts a waterborne disease similar to e.coli
DeleteWhat does the MPN tell us about water that is being sampled? Is it more beneficial to have a high number or a low number?
ReplyDeleteThe MPN measures Microbial populations in a sample so the lower the number the better... unless you like fecal matter in your water.
Delete