Water Quality Problem Analysis

Water is an important aspect of our ecosystem, where the water quality has a major role in the human and animal life. The water quality refers to the condition of water regarding the chemical, physical and biological aspects. Water clarity is the most obvious measurement of water quality. In this research I will be researching about the chemical composition of the water quality of Iowa’s river, in specific the transparency of water InSite E (the stream that enters Iowa’s river after it goes through town).

The Transparency of water refers to the depth of light that can go through water. light is an essential source of energy, specifically for most biological communities in the river. Therefore, this physical property of water is important in the aquatic systems. Which affects main chemical components of rivers water are nitrite, phosphate and dissolved oxygen. These 3 indifferent proportions will affect the level of transparency of water in different areas of Iowa’s river. Including agricultural and urban runoff. Although nitrates, phosphate and oxygen are important in water, an excess amount of these chemical components could harm the aquatic life. When the particles in water increase, it causes a reduction in the transparency of water, which would in turn result in a reduction in the transparency for aquatic animal as well as a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis.

A river is a natural stream of freshwater that is usually the main channel for drainage systems. Typically, rivers start from areas made up of small tributaries, which travel in streams and at various speeds before they re- join in a bigger water body which is the case with Iowa’s river. Since streams travel in different areas, there will be different water-land interactions meaning the composition of water will be altered by human activities according to the environment in the particular area such as farms harmful runoffs or the negligence of proper disposal of factories wastes. This would explain the phenomenon of the differences in the level of water transparency in different parts of the river streams.

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Sun light has a major role in Photosynthesis for plants under water, which is one of the main sources of oxygen. Which as a result increases the level of dissolved oxygen production in water and can be altered by the transparency level, and when there is low transparency levels sunlight can’t reach plant therefore it affects the photosynthesis process which affects the respiration and survival of aquatic animals and under water plants. Like humans, underwater organisms depend on the dissolved oxygen level in water. In addition, D.O is needed for the bacteria involved in the decomposition of organic matter. Lack of oxygen could cause anoxia which is deadly for invertebrates, shellfish and fish. Thus, limiting the capacity of marine life. Not only is the aquatic life affected, it could also have a considerable effect on the human’s quality of life in regards to the health of nearby community as well as the human perception of recreational water environments and water activities such as fishing. This would, as a result have economic consequences.

Soil ,sediments and fertilizers runoffs can decrease Transparency levels and it affects the Phosphate and nitrate level. They are an essential chemical for aquatic life because it helps the growth of aquatic plants which provides food and oxygen for fish. Human activities such as construction sites, residential areas and farm fertilization can increase the concentration of phosphates and nitrites. As a result, it affects the water transparence. Which accelerate the growth of harmful algae. Harmful algae cause a decrease in the dissolved oxygen levels. This is called eutrophication (growth of harmful algae because of high concentration of nutrients in water). This phenomenon can cause dead zones, like the what has occurred on the Arabian sea and Gulf of Mexico, these are areas where no organisms can survive. Algae can cover up large surface areas of bodies of water, which affects the transparency level in which will change human perception about construction sites and farm fertilizations usage due to the risk of a dead zone occurring.

Water transparency is measured by Secchi disk. Transparency ranges from 5cm – 60cm. poor transparency is measurement below 20cm (colored in red). Fair transparency ranges from 20cm to 40cm (colored in yellow) and good transparency is 41 to 60 cm(colored in green) and 60+ is excellent transparency (colored in blue).