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| Twelfth Annual Susquehanna River Sojourn Kicks Off June 9 | |||
 Why is it important to measure salinity, pH, conductivity and temperature in the Bay? These four items are all indicators of water quality.
Measuring these levels just once will give a current indication of water
quality. Measuring these levels and monitoring a stream, river or bay over a longer period of time permits a more detailed study of both the seasonal/yearly/monthly changes in water quality and the environmental factors which caused the change. A rise in conductivity levels can indicate increased levels of pollutants from runoff and wastewater systems. Salinity levels are critical to the survival of aquatic plants and animals as many species can survive only within certain salinity levels. Changes in salinity affect the variety of species found in a waterway. Aquatic species have preferred temperature ranges. As water temperature changes too far above or below that range, aquatic life decreases. Temperature also impacts oxygen levels in water., as water gets warmer, it holds less oxygen, making survival difficult for some forms of aquatic life. The pH of water determines whether aquatic life can survive in it. It measures solubility and availability of chemical constituents and heavy metals in water.If you have a question about the Bay or if your question is not listed in our archive, please submit your question to our panel of Chesapeake Bay experts. More Recent Questions:
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