Author: Kiersten Garside

What are total dissolved solids? Total dissolved solids (TDS) are made up of inorganic salts (magnesium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonates, sodium, chlorides, and sulfates) and some small amounts of organic matter […]

What is stream flow? Stream flow is driven by gravity, with water always moving from a high place to a low place. Flow is an indicator of the amount of […]

What is calcium? Calcium is a mineral that is often found naturally in freshwater environments. Under natural conditions, rocks wear down and calcium is dissolved into the water, but this […]

What is water depth? Water depth is simply the depth of the water at a specific point. In certain areas, water levels have huge effects on ecosystem health. For example, […]

What is turbidity? Water turbidity measures how cloudy a sample of water is due to suspended particles like sediment and plankton. Turbidity can be an indicator of the health of […]

What are Phosphates? Phosphates are the most common form of phosphorus. Phosphorus is an element and critical nutrient required by all life. While phosphate plays a very important role as […]

What are nitrates? Nitrates are a specific form of nitrogen that are formed after nitrites have been exposed to nitrifying bacteria. Nitrates (NO3) are bioavailable, meaning that they are an important source of […]

What is water temperature? Water temperature is simply how warm or cold the water is. Why is water temperature important? Water temperature impacts the results of many other water tests […]

What is salinity? Salinity in saltwater is a measurement of salts dissolved in water that come from rocks and soil. The average salinity of the ocean is 35 ppt (parts […]

What is pH in saltwater? pH stands for “potential for Hydrogen”. It is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of saltwater. Why is pH important in saltwater? pH sets […]