Physical and chemical characteristics of water help shape the nature of aquatic ecosystems. Physical characteristics include things like temperature, pH and water clarity. Chemical substances in water include ions, metals and nutrients, and can occur naturally or may be caused by human activities. Together, physical and chemical characteristics of water influence what can live in rivers and lakes.
In this chapter
Alkalinity
Measures water’s ability to maintain a stable pH level
Carbon
A chemical element that is a common component of all life on Earth (organic carbon)
Chloride
A naturally occurring ion found dissolved in water
Conductivity
A measurement of how easily electricity flows through water
Dissolved Oxygen
The concentration of oxygen from the atmosphere dissolved in the water
Hardness
The measure of dissolved minerals in water
Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP)
The ability of a lake or river to cleanse itself or breakdown waste products
pH
The degree to which water is acidic or basic
Salinity
Measures the saltiness of water
Secchi Depth
The depth at which a disk lowered into the water can no longer be seen from the surface
Temperature
A measure of how warm or cold the water is
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
A measure of the amount of particulate matter floating in water
Turbidity
A measure of water clarity
Water Colour
Influenced by what is dissolved and suspended in the water