Water Chemistry Survey #1

La Russell Stream Team #2945 conducted its first Water Chemistry Water Quality Monitoring today. Previously, we used a macroinvertebrates survey to evaluate water quality. Today we measured water temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Oxygen saturation, Conductivity, Nitrate and turbidity.
Temperature affects the amount of dissolved gas in the water, the rate of photosynthesis, the rate of plant growth, the metabolic rate of organisms and the sensitivity of organisms. Today, the water temperature was 15 C.


pH was measured at 8.5. This is slightly 'basic'. It is outside the 'optimal range' for most life of pH 6.5 - 8.2.





Dissolved Oxygen is essential for maintenance of health waterways. Waters with consistently high dissolved oxygen are considered healthy and stable aquatic systems capable of supporting many types of aquatic life. Factors like temperature, water flow, dissolved or suspended solids and aquatic plants affect dissolved Oxygen levels. Today, the dissolved Oxygen was 11 mg/L, and when adjusted for temperature indicated 109% Dissolved Oxygen Saturation.


Conductivity is the measurement of water's ability to conduct electricity. Conductivity is determined by the amount of solids that are dissolved in water. Seven common substances make up the dissolved solids in streams: Bicarbonate, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfate, Chloride, Sodium and Potassium. The conductivity was measured at 410 today.

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient required for all living plants and animals for building proteins. in aquatic ecosystems, nitrogen is present in different forms. The usable forms of Nitrogen for aquatic plant growth are ammonia NH3 and nitrate NO3. The Nitrate level today was 4.


Turbidity measures the clarity of water. Low turbidity water is clear while high turbidity is cloudy and murky. Impacts from high turbidity include: sediment can block out light needed by aquatic vegetation, suspended particles can increase water temperature, sediment can bury fish eggs and benthic inverterbatates, and sediment can fill in interstitial spaces eliminating habitat. Today's turbidity level was 10.
This data was submitted to the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program (Missouri Stream Team Organization) for evaluation. We will begin monitoring the water chemistry monthly, and study the changes in readings. If interested, you are welcome to join us next time.