Transparency they may indicate excessive presence of suspended materials in water such as sediments, preventing light penetration. Dissolved oxygen is an indirect measure of the photosynthetic activity in water ecosystems and determines if higher level organism like fishes may survive in water. Eutrophication is a process by which water begins to suffocate from receiving more nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, than it can handle. Symptoms of premature aging through eutrophication include low levels of dissolved oxygen, extensive algae blooms and fish kills. Monitoring the changes in those parameters helps assess whether estuarine and coastal waters are receiving too many nutrients.
Ammonia is colorless in water solution with a strong and suffocating odor.
It is used in making fertilizer, plastics, dyes and textiles. Nitrate is the most widespread agricultural contaminant. Beside its natural toxicity, nitrate is also an environmental concern as a potential source of nutrient enrichment of waters. High levels of nitrate in water typically indicate pollution seeping in from septic tanks, livestock wastes, fertilizers, municipal landfills, and nonpoint sources such as runoff from agricultural area. When swollowed, may lead to vomitting, headaches and other poisoning manifestations By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms.