It is a good indication as to the presence of potential pollutants. The test for suspended solids measures the weight of material in a given volume of water. High concentrations of particulate matter can increase sedimentation and siltation in a stream. This can change the habitat for bacteria and other aquatic life. The measurement of nitrates present in stream is a good indicator of the total nutrients in the water.
Nutrients are essential for growth.
In most instances, growth is considered to be beneficial, but this is not necessarily so in a stream. Algae and other plant growth enhanced by nutrients can be good up to a point, but can easily over-populate and become a nuisance. Many things affect stream nutrients. Temperature, decomposition of organic matter, and lawn and garden fertilizers are just a few of these things. Ryan Anderson Ryan Anderson, an environmental specialist for the Washington State Department of Ecology, has been very helpful in the research of this project.