water quality

Each protocol, water transparency, water temperature, ph, dissolved oxygen, Nitrate, and fresh water macro-invertebrates,  help determine water quality. Water transparency determines how clear the water is. This is done with a transparency tube or a secchi disk this is to measure turbidity. The reason water wouldn't be clear is that it has certain sediments in it making it look "dirty" or "clean."
    Water Temperature is obviously how how hot or cold the water is. It is also very Important to help hydrology measurements such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity. Water temperature is also a way to understand local and global weather patterns. This can affect life in the streams like some fish can only live in cold water where as others can only live in warm. you can measure this by a thermometer.Most aquatic animals live in a 0-32 degrees Celsius temperature. pH is how acidic or how much of a base the water has. It is also the measure of hydrogen ions in the water. Most lakes have a pH scale of 5.5-8.5 and can be measured by a a pH meter. Oceans have a pH of about 8.2. Mining has an affect on water pH as well. It can bring up the pH by a little or a lot. pH has a strong influence on what can live in the water.

     Dissolved Oxygen is a product of photosynthesis. Dissolved Oxygen is what determines what fish can live where, this is very soluble. Most aquatic species need at least 5-6 PPM to survive. 
Nitrate is found only in low dissolved oxygen levels. It is a primary plant nutrient. It uses Eutrophication which it the process of enriching water. this causes plant growth but can cause an odor. 
     Last but not lease Freshwater Macro invertebrates. These are small animals without a back bone i.e.: worms, mosquito, dragon flies, and snails. these animals are sensitive to change. biodiversity is a main thing so the ecosystem can stay in tact.Toxic waste is also a big part in water protocol and quality. The effects aren't always known right away but they are years after. They usually are from big industries and includes organic and inorganic substances. Inorganic substances include arsenic and cyanide. Organic includes DDT, PCB, and herbicides.This also includes heavy metals. E.Coli is normally harmless but they are in the presence of harmful bacteria. It can cause severe diarrhea and kidney problems. Conductivity is what it sounds like. It is how much water conducts electricity. Pure water is a poor conductor of this. It is a measure of a poorly dissolved solid. It is measured in conductivity meters.