This volume is of great importance to humans and other living organisms. The study of water quality draws information from a variety of disciplines including chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, engineering, and resource management.

University training in water quality is often limited to specialized courses in engineering, ecology, and fisheries curricula. This book also offers a basic understanding of water quality to professionals who are not formally trained in the subject.

The revised third edition updates and expands the discussion, and incorporates additional figures and illustrative problems. Improvements include a new chapter on basic chemistry, a more comprehensive chapter on hydrology, and an updated chapter on regulations and standards.

Because it employs only first-year college-level chemistry and very basic physics, the book is well-suited as the foundation for a general introductory course in water quality. It is equally useful as a guide for self-study and an in-depth resource for general readers.

Chapter 1 Physical Properties of Water

Introduction

The Water Molecule

            Structure

            Dipolar nature

            Size

Properties of Water

            Thermal characteristics

            Vapor pressure

            Density

            Surface phenomena

            Viscosity

            Elasticity and compressibility

            Water pressure

            Dielectric constant

            Conductivity

Transparency

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 2 An Overview of Hydrology

Introduction

The Hydrologic Cycle

Evaporation

            Measurement

Rainfall

            Measurement

Soil Water

Groundwater

Runoff and Streams

Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

Wetlands

Water Measurements

            Overland flow

            Stream flow

            Volumes of water bodies

            Water Budgets and chemical mass balance

Oceans and Estuaries

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 3 Water Temperature (new chapter)

Introduction

Energy, Heat, and Temperature

Solar Radiation and Heating

Heat Transfer in Water bodies

Stream Temperatures

Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

Thermal Stratification

            Heat budgets

            Thermal stratification process

            Patterns of lake stratification

            Stratification in ponds

            Ice cover

            Effects of water quality

Temperature in Water Quality

            Physical aspects

            Chemical reactions

            Biological processes

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 4 Dissolved Solids

Introduction

Dissolved Solids and Their Measurement

            Dissolved or suspended - particle sizes

            Major cations and anions

            Total dissolved solids

            Total dissolved organic matter

            Salinity

            Specific conductance

            Alkalinity and hardness

Cation-Anion Balance

Accuracy checks

Concentrations of Major Ions in Natural Waters

            Rainwater

            Inland surface water

            Groundwater

            Coastal and ocean water

Minor Ions and Other Solutes

Relative Abundances of Elements

Total Dissolved Solids and Colligative Properties

            Vapor pressure

            Freezing and boiling points

            Osmotic pressure

Removal of Dissolved Solids

            Ion exchange

            Activated carbon

            Desalination

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 5 Particulate Matter, Color, Turbidity, and Light

Introduction

Suspended Particles

            Sources

            Settling characteristics

            Colloidal particles

Humic Substances and Color

Turbidity and Light Penetration

Assessment of Turbidity and Color

            Direct turbidity measurement

            Suspended solids

            Settleable solids

            Secchi disk

            Color

Visual Aspects of Water Bodies

Suspended Solids Removal

            Water shed protection

            Sedimentation basins

            Coagulation

            Filtration

 Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 6 Dissolved Oxygen and Other Gases

Introduction

Atmospheric Pressure

Gas Solubility

            Partial pressure

            Henry's law constant and Bunsen coefficient

            Weight of air in water

            Use of gas solubility tables

            Percentage saturation and oxyen tension

The DeltaP

Gas Transfer

            Stream re-aeration

Concentrations of Dissolved Oxygen

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in Respiration

Conclusions

References

 

 

Chapter 7 Redox Potential

No changes in outline.

 

Chapter 8 pH, Carbon Dioxide, and Alkalinity

Introduction

pH

            The concept

            Calculations

            pH of natural waters

Carbon Dioxide

Total Alkalinity

            Measurement of alkalinity

            Sources of alkalinity

            Comments on alkalinity equilibria

Buffering

Alkalinity of Natural Waters

Effects on Aquatic Life and Water use

            pH

            Carbon dioxide

            Alkalinity

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 9 Acidity (new chapter)

Information

Definition of Acidity

Measurement of Acidity

Sources of Mineral Acidity in Surface Waters

            Acid-sulfate soils

            Acidic, atmospheric deposition

            Acidic mine drainage

Effects of Mineral Acidity on Water Quality

            Water quality

Mitigation of Mineral Acidity

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 10 Total Hardness

No changes in outline.

 

Chapter 11 Microorganisms, Macrophytes, and Water Quality

Introduction

Bacteria

            Nutrients

            Growth

            Aerobic respiration

            Oxygen stoichiometry in aerobic respiration

            Anaerobic respiration

            Environmental effects on bacterial growth

            Estimating bacterial abundance

Sediment Respiration

Phytoplankton

            Biology

            Photosynthesis

            Biochemical assimilation

            Factors controlling phytoplankton growth

            Estimating phytoplankton abundance

            Effects of phytoplankton on water quality

Measuring Photosynthesis and Respiration

The Compensation Depth

Harmful Algae

Aquatic Macrophytes

            Communities

            Interactions with phytoplankton

            Effects on water quality

Carbon and Oxygen Cycle

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 12 Nitrogen

No changes in outline.

 

Chapter 13 Phosphorus

Introduction

Phosphorus in Aquatic Ecosystems

Phosphorus Chemistry

            Dissociation of orthophosphoric acid

            Phosphorus-sediment reactions

Organic Phosphorus

Analytical Considerations

Phosphorus Dynamics

            Concentrations in water

            Plant uptake

            Exchange between water and sediment

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 14 Eutrophication (new chapter)

Introduction

The Eutrophication Process

            Natural causes

            Anthropogenic causes

            Nitrogen, phosphorus and eutrophication

            Critical nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations

            The tipping point

            Lake eutrophication

            Stream eutrophication

            Climate change and eutrophication

Effects of Eutrophication

            Water quality

            Aquatic communities

            Water use

            Health aspects

Eutrophication Control

            Reduction in inputs

            Nutrient removal

            Prospects for future

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 15 Sulfur

Introduction

The Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur Transformations

            Plant uptake and mineralization

            Oxidations

            Reductions

Sulfide

Sulfur Concentrations

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 16 Micronutrients and Other Trace Elements

No changes in outline.

 

Chapter 17 Water Supply (new chapter)

Introduction

The World's Water

Available and Sustainable Freshwater

            The water footprint

Domestic Water Use

            Human water requirements

            Water quality and human health

            Bottled water

Industrial Water Use

Agricultural Water Use

            Plant crops

            Livestock

            Food processing

Ecosystem Water Requirements

            Water levels

            Water flow

            Water quality

Water Bodies for Landscape and Recreational Purposes

Water Shortages: Future Prospects

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 18 Water Pollution

Introduction

Overview of Water Pollution

Inorganic Solids and Turbidity

Organic Pollution

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Nutrient Pollution

Toxins

Biological Pollution

Groundwater Pollution

Wetland Destruction

Pollution Control

Contamination by Pharmaceuticals

Thermal Discharges

Conclusions

References

 

Chapter 19 Water Quality Regulations