Water
Quality Assessment: Chemical: Hardness For the most part, however, hardness is a reflection of the amount of calcium and magnesium entering the stream through the weathering of rock such as limestone (CaCO3). When limestone is weathered, it dissolves into calcium (Ca2+) and carbonate (CO32-). Calcium is an important nutrient that is used by plants and animals. Carbonate buffers the stream's pH . Although these two ions are beneficial to a stream, they can cause problems in a home. Foaming agents such as those in soaps and detergents do not work as well in hard water. Also, hard water tends to leave hard, scaly calcium deposits on faucets. This is why many people install water softener systems in their homes.
Overview ..|.. Biological Assessment ..|.. Chemical Assessment ..|.. Physical Assessment. pH
/ Alkalinity / Hardness / Nitrates.
Nitrites, and Ammonia / Ortho- and Total
Phosphate / Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical
Oxygen Demand / Fecal Coliform / Conductivity
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