pH is a determined value based on a defined scale. This scale ranges from 1-14. The lower the number is the more acidic the water is, and the higher the number the more basic it is. If water or a substance has a pH of 7, then it is considered neutral. Both, natural and man-made factors can change pH levels in water and other substances. If the pH levels in water are too high or too low, living things in the water will die. pH can also affect the solubility and toxicity of chemicals in the water. (pH of water). Only 2.5 percent of the world’s water is fresh water (Water).
Nitrate is an inorganic compound that can happen under different conditions in the environment. Nitrate has one atom of nitrogen, and three atoms of oxygen. Nitrates
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This is mainly for infants (PSEP). Nitrate concentrations are watched in water supplies and foods to make sure that people are not exposed to the potential harmful effects of high levels of nitrates. Nitrates are soluble. For some people, they get their drinking water from wells, which could be contaminated with nitrates. Nitrates are colorless and odorless, so knowing if they’re in the water cannot be determined without the use of special testing equipment. Nitrates can interfere with the ability of people’s red blood cells to carry oxygen. Infants are more at risk of nitrate poisoning than older children or adults. People who use wells for drinking water should monitor the levels of nitrates before drinking it. Infants who drink water that has high nitrate levels may turn a blue color and could have difficulty breathing. This is because their bodies cannot receive enough oxygen. Both, natural causes and human causes can determine the amount of nitrates in water. A body of water could naturally be high in nitrates or have elevated nitrate levels as a result of careless human actions (Menu). Methemoglobinemia is the most significant health problem associated with nitrate in drinking water. Your …show more content…
Phosphorus is needed for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication. This is the reduction of dissolved oxygen in water bodies that is caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients. This can happen in rivers and lakes. Soil erosion is also a major contributor to phosphorus in streams. Bank erosion that can occur during floods can transport a lot of phosphorous from rivers and close land into streams. Phosphorus gets into water in both urban and agricultural settings. Phosphorus tends to attach to soil, and moves into bodies of water from a runoff. A USGS study showed that phosphorus could also migrate when groundwater flows. Since groundwater often runs into surface water (through streams and rivers) there is a concern about phosphorus concentrations in groundwater affecting the water quality (Phosphorus and