Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP), also known as Redox Potential, is a measure of water’s ability to facilitate chemical processes that either oxidize or reduce substances within it. It indicates the presence and activity of agents that can accept or donate electrons. ORP is measured in terms of electric potential with standard units of millivolts (mV). Readings […]
pH has a complex role in water chemistry as it influences the solubility, reactivity, and potential toxicity of a wide range of elements commonly found in water.
Turbidity is the state of relative clarity or cloudiness of water. Many factors can contribute to increased turbidity. The most obvious are suspended sediments consisting of various sand, silt, clay and gravel particles. These may be introduced by soil erosion, urban runoff, bottom-dwelling aquatic creatures that stir up settled sediments, or human activities such as […]
Dissolved oxygen, often abbreviated as DO, is the amount of free oxygen molecules (O2) dissolved in water. Oxygen enters the water through atmospheric diffusion, plant photosynthesis, or aeration (either natural or man-made). DO is typically represented in measurement units as percent of air saturation (%sat) and concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per […]
Conductivity, often denoted as EC (electrical conductivity), is a measure of a water sample’s ability to conduct electric current. It is primarily determined by the presence of dissolved salts and other inorganic substances that ionize in water. Such substances are known as electrolytes, and they conduct electricity due to their positive and negative charges. The […]
Temperature is a physical property of water indicating its relative hotness or coldness. More specifically, it is the measure of the thermal energy produced by the vibrations of water molecules. Inputs such as solar radiation increase the kinetic energy of the molecular vibrations, thereby increasing the temperature. The Celsius scale with units of degrees Celsius […]
Accurate water quality measurement, while basic in many situations, forms the basis for numerous crucial management decisions.
