Thus, surveys of aquatic insects and fish can often provide an index of long-term dissolved oxygen characteristics. Temperature changes on a daily and seasonal basis and also with depth of water and distance from the shoreline. The amount of oxygen that will be available in a water body is affected by water temperature. There are distinct differences in temperature at layers of the lake. Fish follow these layers, because of dissolved oxygen and comfort.
Alkalinity is the capacity of the lake water to neutralize acidity.
Again, this is usually a somewhat static parameter, dependent on chemistry of the surrounding soil and water body characteristics. Whatever frequency, a system should be established before you begin. Sample frequency should be increased in the summer, when changes are more likely to occur. Much of the above information appeared in a recent issue of the Conservation Technology Information Center news. Additional references you may want to refer to include the following.