The main parameters indicating degraded river health in the Linkwater Stream are:
Parameter | Reason for monitoring |
Water Clarity | Water clarity/ turbidity is a measure for sediment in the water. Fine sediment affects the growth of aquatic insects and fish. When the sediment settles on the riverbed, it smothers habitats and degrades food sources. Reduced water clarity also impacts on the recreational values of rivers.
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Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus | These are the forms of Phosphorus that are easily taken up by plants. High concentrations lead to excessive algae growth, which impacts aquatic habitat quality and oxygen levels.
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E. coli bacteria | E. coli are an indicator for faecal contamination, which has negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and presents a health risk to recreational users.
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Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) refers to the soluble nitrogen content within the water column, which is readily available for uptake by algae thriving in the waterway and streambeds. Elevated DIN can trigger excessive algal growth, which can have detrimental impacts on both aquatic habitat quality and ecosystems and the visual appeal of water bodies.
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Table 1: Parameters indicating degraded water quality in Linkwater Stream.
