To gain more information on you particular body of water, AES can conduct a water quality test to determine several key water quality parameters. Based off of these results, we can then implement specific recommendations in order to improve your water quality. Our standard water quality analysis includes tests of the following parameters:
Temperature (Ambient and Water)
o
Water temperature
influences almost all other water quality parameters and is often the first data
collected during a water quality analysis. Water temperature plays a role in the
reproduction of most fish species and determines what fish species are able to
survive in a particular pond/lake. Temperature influences the amount of oxygen
the water can hold.
Dissolved Oxygen
o
Dissolved oxygen
(DO) is a measure of the amount of oxygen available to aquatic organisms and is
reported as milligrams per liter (mg/L) or percent saturation. Percent
saturation is a measure of how much oxygen is dissolved in the water relative to
the maximum amount of oxygen that can be held in the water at a specific
temperature. Colder water can hold more oxygen than warm water. Dissolved oxygen
levels fluctuate daily and are usually lowest in the early morning hours. DO
does not pose a problem for most fish until levels fall below 4 mg/L. Pond/lake
stratification can create distinct DO levels at different depths during the warm
summer months.
pH
o
pH is a measure of
the concentration of hydrogen ions present in water. pH determines whether the
tested water is acidic (pH<7) or alkaline (pH>7) compared to neutral water
(pH=7). Most aquatic organisms prefer pH levels between 6.5 and 9. The pH
fluctuates daily due to the complex interactions of carbon dioxide,
photosynthesis and respiration. Ponds/lakes usually experience their lowest pH
levels of the day during the early morning hours.
Alkalinity
o
Alkalinity is
defined as the quantity of base present in water. The most common bases include
carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and phosphates. Alkalinity is reported as
milligrams of calcium carbonate per milliliter of water (mg CaCO3/L). Alkalinity
determines the buffering capacity of a pond/lake. A good buffering capacity
absorbs introductions of acids and bases with little change in pH levels. By
maintaining desired pH levels, nutrients are more available to phytoplankton
resulting in a pond/lake that has an increased carrying capacity. Levels below
15 mg/L should be increased with the addition of 4 tons per acre of agricultural
lime.
Hardness
o
Hardness is a
measure of the quantity of divalent ions in water. In Georgia, calcium and
magnesium carbonate account for the majority of water hardness. Alkalinity is
closely related to hardness as both are reported as mg CaCO3/L. Hardness levels
affect the toxicity of some algaecides, limit phytoplankton formation and play a
role in fish growth. Levels below 15 mg/L should be increased with the addition
of 4 tons per acre of agricultural lime.
Visibility
o
Visibility is
measured with the use of a secchi disc. A white and black disc measuring 20 cm
in diameter is lowered vertically through the water until it can no longer be
seen. Suspended particles reduce visibility levels. Therefore, in the absence of
turbidity from silt or mud, the secchi disc serves as the international standard
to indicate phytoplankton density. This is critical to determine when conducting
a fertilization program.
Fecal Coliform
o Aquatic Environmental uses an accredited laboratory to determine fecal coliform concentrations. Fecal coliform counts measure the concentration of the bacteria Escherichia coli in water. This bacteria is specific to the guts of birds and mammals, including humans, and is not harmful unless present in high numbers. Fecal coliform can originate from human or animal sources and counts are often higher after rain events. Observed levels are not of a concern unless counts exceed 100 colonies per 100 milliliters of pond/lake water. High levels indicate a sewage leak, animal waste in the watershed or excessively high numbers of waterfowl utilizing the pond/lake (Usually Canada Geese in our region).
