Transcript Document
Surface Water Quality
Indicators Around the Farm
Water Quality
Area of
Expertise
Team
Farmers should be familiar with the
following water quality terms:
Dissolved Oxygen
Phosphorus
Coliform bacteria
Turbidity
pH
Macroinvertebrates
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Water Quality Standards are Administered by
the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality
A copy of the Standards are available at the DEQ’s
web site, www.michigan.gov/deq
Click on: Environmental laws and rules
Then: Rules - Part 31,41 & 43 of Act 451 of 1994
Under water click on: Part 4 Water Quality
Standards
Any questions?
Any questions?
Dissolved oxygen in surface waters
Dissolved oxygen (DO):
The oxygen content of water at a
given depth, location and time
Important for fish and other aquatic
organisms
Some species can tolerate lower
concentrations than others
DO is measured in mg/l or ppm
Spatial, temporal, and seasonal variations
Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Phosphorus in surface waters
Phosphorus loading
may:
cause algal blooms
increase rooted plant
growth
increase fluctuations in
dissolved oxygen
reduce biodiversity
Phosphorus is measured in ug/l or ppb in water.
Commonly the limiting factor for plant growth in aquatic systems.
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Coliform bacteria in surface waters
Coliform bacteria:
Found in feces of warm-blooded
animals
E.coli in water may indicate
presence of more harmful human
and animal health pathogens
Can compromise recreational
activities
Measured in colonies per 100 ml
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Turbidity in surface waters
Effects on Streams
Increase in temperature
Decrease in oxygen
Sediments carry nutrients
Effects on Plants
reduces water clarity,
causing decreased light
penetration and
photosynthesis
Measured in JTU’s or
NTU’s
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
What are macroinvertebrates?
Macroinvertebrates:
Include insect larvae, snails,
clams, worms, crayfish and
other aquatic life forms that
lack a backbone
(invertebrates)
Macro means they can
usually be observed without a
microscope
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Why macroinvertebrates as
water quality indicators?
Important link in the food chain
Relatively sedentary
Great diversity of types
Short life cycles
Easy and inexpensive to collect and identify
Range of tolerance for pollutants
Macroinvertebrates are good long-term indicators of
changes in stream health and water quality!
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Bioassessment using stream
macroinvertebrates is relatively easy and fun!
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
To reduce phosphorus, sediment, and E. coli
loading AND improve macroinvertebrate
populations in your farm’s waterways…
Take a whole-farm approach
Soil erosion control (BMPs)
Nutrient management
Silage leachate management
Control animal access
Proper disposal of livestock
mortalities
Milking center wastewater
collection and treatment
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm
Any questions?
Surface Water Quality Indicators Around the Farm