Water Health: Testing and Determining Health of
Local Bodies of Water
Abstract
Ponds and rivers represent distinct aquatic ecosystems characterized by significant differences in size, flow, and water quality metrics through pH, salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), specific gravity, temperature, electric current, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). While general metrics for assessing pond health are well-established, regional tolerance ranges can vary from commonly accepted values. This study aimed to evaluate the health of local ponds and rivers by comparing water quality data to standardized ranges and observing temporal changes in key metrics. Selecting three bodies of water in Loudoun County, Virginia (Living, Stagnant, and River), and using an all-in-one water quality tester, we measured pH, salinity, TDS, specific gravity, temperature, electric current, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) across three local bodies of water. These findings were compared to the data and results of the National Institutes of Health, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Kasco Marine. Results indicated that all three water bodies fell within healthy ranges, supported by evidence of abundant wildlife and stable environmental conditions. No significant pollution or stress-related changes were observed, suggesting that these ecosystems maintain good health over time. This study provides baseline data for local water quality and highlights the stability of these ecosystems under current conditions.
Declaration of competing interest
No competing interest is declared.
Acknowledgments
C.S. and R.N. conceived the experiment(s) and designed the study. C.S. and R.N performed the experiments, C.S. and R.N. analyzed the data. C.S. wrote the initial draft, and R.N. edited and formatted the manuscript. Both authors contributed to the interpretation of results and reviewed the final manuscript.
Funding Statement
The authors would like to thank the teachers at the Academies of Loudoun and Potomac Falls High School for their valuable suggestions. This work is supported in part by funds from the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project through the ”Making Change Donation” by MainStreet Bank.
References (12)
Davis, T. R., Larkin, M. F., Forbes, A., Veenhof, R. J., Scott, A., & Coleman, M. A. (2022). Extreme flooding and reduced salinity causes mass mortality of nearshore kelp forests. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 275(107960). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2022.107960
Fujimoto, T., Sasaki, Y., Wakabayashi, H., Sengoku, Y., Tsubakimoto, S., & Nishiyasu, T. (2015). The effects of water temperature on physiological responses and exercise performance during immersed incremental exercise. Extreme Physiology & Medicine, 4(1), A37. https://doi.org/10.1186/204676484S1A37
Google, & Airbus. (2020). Map of Sterling, Virginia, USA [Map]. Google. https://earth.google.com/web/@39.03339283,-77.36559821,93.36440624a,15986.72727875d,30.47529847y,0.14926945h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBOgMKATFCAggASg0I____________ARAA
Hook, S. E., Gallagher, E. P., & Batley, G. E. (2014). The role of biomarkers in the assessment of aquatic ecosystem health. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 10(3), 327–341. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.1530
Isiuku, B. O., & Enyoh, C. E. (2020). Pollution and health risks assessment of nitrate and phosphate concentrations in water bodies in South Eastern, Nigeria. Environmental Advances, 2(100018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2020.100018
Luvhimbi, N., G, T. T., T, M. J., C, O. F., & N, E. J. (2022). Water quality assessment and evaluation of human health risk of drinking water from source to point of use at Thulamela municipality, Limpopo Province. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 6059. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598022100924
Pawlowicz, R. (2017). Salinity in the ocean. In M. A. Abraham (Ed.), Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (pp. 135–143). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10157-5
Rosinger, A. Y., Bethancourt, H., Swanson, Z. S., Nzunza, R., Saunders, J., Dhanasekar, S., Kenney, W. L., Hu, K., Douglass, M. J., Ndiema, E., Braun, D. R., & Pontzer, H. (2021). Drinking water salinity is associated with hypertension and hyperdilute urine among Daasanach pastoralists in Northern Kenya. Science of the Total Environment, 770(144667). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144667
Saalidong, B. M., Aram, S. A., Otu, S., & Lartey, P. O. (2022). Examining the dynamics of the relationship between water pH and other water quality parameters in ground and surface water systems. PLOS ONE, 17(0262117). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262117
Ugbolue, S. C. O. (2017). 10 – Testing, product evaluation and quality control of polyolefins. In S. C. O. Ugbolue (Ed.), Polyolefin Fibres Structure, Properties and Industrial Applications (Second Edition, pp. 313–338). Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-101132-4.00010-2
World Health Organization. (1996). Total dissolved solids in Drinking-water. In Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 2nd ed. Vol. 2. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/wash-documents/wash-chemicals/total-dissolved-solids-background-document.pdf?sfvrsn=3e6d651e_4
YSI Staff. (2024, September 19). Everything You Need To Know About Harmful Algal Bloom Water Quality. Ysi.com; Xylem. https://www.ysi.com/ysi-blog/water-blogged-blog/2016/09/harmful-algal-blooms-everything-you-need-to-know?srsltid=AfmBOoqruPE32BlEKxGoXcp1tzxtN7hofQMTYkazy_9zRI3yyRUwbQK9
LOUDOUN NATURE CONSERVATION PROJECT
Made by Students, for Students. Young hearts, green minds, hands-on action; Empowering youth, restoring nature, and fostering community through environmental stewardship in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Email: [email protected]
SITE MAP
© 2024. All rights reserved.