Download Chemical Properties of Water

Chemical Properties of Water
CO2
 Carbon dioxide is taken
in by phytoplankton
and attached plants in
aquatic systems.
 They use the CO2 in
order to make food for
energy in the form of
simple carbohydrates
such as glucose
(C6H12O6).
 The amount of energy
in the aquatic system
that is produced from
this food is called
primary production.
 Normal CO2- 7-10ppm
PO4, NO3, NH3
 Plants use nutrients that
come from the
decomposition of organic
matter (living things) to
help them do
photosynthesis.
 These nutrients may come
from man-made fertilizers,
manure, human waste and
dead and decaying living
things.
 These nutrients are PO4
(phosphate), NO3 (nitrate),
and NH3 (ammonia)
 Normal No3- 0-.5ppm
 Normal NH3- 0-.2ppm
 Normal PO4- 0-.1ppm
Phosphorous Cycle
Nitrogen
 In the case of
nitrogen, plants can
not use nitrogen in
the form that is
originally released
so it must be
changed into
ammonium, then
into nitrites by
nitrifying bacteria.
Nitrogen Cycle
 As a result of
photosynthesis the
plants give of
oxygen.
 This oxygen is taken
in by animals and
bacteria for cellular
respiration in order
to get energy.
 Normal O2- 810ppm
O2
pH
 The decomposition of
organic matter, which is
done by aerobic
hetertrophic bacteria
release H+ ions that
come from glucose
(C6H12O2) and other
carbohydrates. This
may increase the
amount of H+ into the
water and make the
water acidic.
 Normal- 7-8.3
Eutrophication
 Sometimes as a result of a lot of nutrient
input into the water you may get an algae
bloom (over reproduction of algae). The
algae will then block the sunlight to the
system and begin to die off along with other
organisms. This results in a lot of death and
decay. The decomposition of organic matter
is done by bacteria. In order for the bacteria
to do this they must take in O2. They end up
using most of the oxygen in the system. This
creates a situation known as eutrophication
(a nutrient rich environment).
Hypoxia
 Normal oxygen levels in water are from
8ppm - 10ppm.
 Hypoxia is water that has an oxygen
concentration of less than 3ppm.
 With an oxygen concentration of 3ppm
the water can not support aquatic life.
 Anoxia- DO 0ppm
Hypoxia
Cl & Fe
 Chlorine and iron can
get into the system
from run off from rocks
and drinking water.
The increased amount
may cause the death of
various organisms and
increase decomposition.
 Normal- 0ppm