Dissolved Oxygen

Measuring dissolved oxygen

Oxygen is an element essential to all living things. Dissolved oxygen is perhaps the most important abiotic or non-living factor affecting aquatic communities such as rivers. Fish and many macroinvertebrates nymphs and larvae are equipped with gills to extract oxygen from the water they live in.

Pre-packaged chemistry test kits are used to measure the concentration of dissolved oxygen. The amount of oxygen dissolving in water is affected by temperature, mixing, decay and pollution. Low levels of dissolved oxygen are harmful to many species and can indicate that pollution has entered the water.

Understanding the basic science of dissolved oxygen will help you interpret the data collected from your local river. Take a deep breath and click below to learn more about dissolved oxygen!

Background Information
The Effects of Low Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen Test Kits
Chemistry Theory
Interpreting Results
Quiz