Water Quality Parameters Quiz

Study Notes

Effective water quality testing is crucial for environmental monitoring and impacts aquatic life and ecosystems.
Regular monitoring of water parameters is essential during aquaculture operations.

Affects biological activity; optimal range for growth is critical for fish health.
Sudden temperature fluctuations can lead to high mortality in aquatic species.
Nile tilapia thrives best at temperatures between 28-35˚C.
Low temperatures can slow egg development, reduce growth, delay maturation, decrease food intake, and increase disease susceptibility.
Ideal water temperature range for fish growth is generally 24-35˚C.

pH measures water acidity or alkalinity, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).
Neutral pH is 7; values below indicate acidity, while above indicates alkalinity.
pH significantly influences fish production; desirable range for fish culture is 6.5 to 9.
Extreme pH levels can lead to fish mortality and reproduction issues:
- pH 4: Acid death point
- pH 4-5: No reproduction
- pH < 6.5: Slow growth
- pH 11: Alkaline death point

Oxygen is essential for all fish species for growth and survival.
Comfortable dissolved oxygen levels are around 3 ppm with ideal levels at 5 ppm.
Insufficient oxygen leads to poor growth and increased disease outbreaks.

Measures the amount of salt in water, expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).
Can be assessed using a hydrometer (simple and inexpensive) or a refractometer (more accurate).

Defines the clarity of water and is impacted by suspended particles.
Higher turbidity can inhibit light penetration, affecting plant growth and nutrient levels.
Types of turbidity include mineral (causes brown or reddish water), which can prevent fertilizer efficiency and plankton growth.
Plankton turbidity arises from high phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations, causing various shades of water.
Transparency measured using a Secchi disk; ideal depth for productive ponds is between 10-30 cm.

Measures the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in water.
Hardness affects the pH of water, typically maintained between 50 and 300 ppm for optimal fish growth.
Total hardness determined using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Results from decomposing organic materials; poses a significant water quality issue at high biomass levels.
Exists in equilibrium as NH3 (toxic) and NH4+ (non-toxic), dependent on pH and temperature.

Optimal depth for fish culture is around 1 meter; traditional milkfish ponds function well at depths of 40-60 cm.