used to describe the health of a water system

the amount of oxygen in the water

A measure of how hot or cold something is.

measurement of acidity

nitrogen compounds used for growth by plants and algae

Phosphorous-based nutrients commonly found in fertilizers and pesticides.

A measure of how clear water is.

Species that reflect the condition of the environment.

Release of harmful materials into the environment

A facility that treats water to remove contaminants so that it can be safely used.

a living organism that shapes its environment. In a freshwater ecosystem, examples might include aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, and algae.

nonliving parts of an ecosystem

organisms without backbones, which are visible to the eye without the aid of a microscope.

An ecosystem where all water runoff drains into a single body of water