Water Quality: pH Measurement

Study Notes

pH scale ranges from 0 to 14; measures solution acidity or basicity.
Acidic solutions: pH 0-6.9; Neutral: pH 7.0; Basic: pH 7.1-14.
Influences solubility and biological availability of crucial elements: Carbon, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Heavy Metals.
Ecosystems sensitive to pH changes; pollution can alter pH levels, affecting sensitive organisms.
Precipitation pH varies due to natural and anthropogenic factors.
Practice measuring pH using aquarium, probes or paper, and record findings.

Weather patterns predicted using computer models from data collected through buoys, satellites, gliders, and weather stations.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) uses data for multiple purposes:
- Climate Change tracking with Argo floats measuring salt content and temperature.
- Hurricane forecasting using deep-diving gliders and drifting buoys for surface information.
- Tsunami forecasting through DART buoys.
- Analyzing marine organism behavior and migration patterns.
2023 Atlantic Hurricane season predictions foresee 12-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes, and 1-4 major hurricanes.
Current hurricane: Idalia made landfall in Florida as a Category 3.

Salinity measures dissolved salts in water, expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).
Freshwater ecosystems: less than 0.5 ppt; Brackish ecosystems (estuaries, marshes): 0.5-30 ppt; Saltwater (oceans): more than 30 ppt.
Practice measuring salinity using aquarium, testing strips, or hydrometer, while recording results.

Clean Water Act (1972) established to safeguard local watersheds from pollution.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) oversees water quality standards.
Types of Pollution:
- Point Source: Single identifiable source (e.g., factories, sewage plants).
- Non-Point Source: Diffuse sources (e.g., agricultural runoff, urban oil), making identification difficult.

Water temperature varies across ecosystems, influenced by sunlight availability.
Thermal pollution from power plants can raise water temperatures, reducing dissolved oxygen levels.
Deforestation affects water temperature by decreasing shade.
Dams impact downstream water temperatures.
Extreme temperatures found in hot springs and heliothermic lakes can promote algal growth.