Dissolved Oxygen

Background:

Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen that is present in a body of water. Low levels indicate if there is too much of the following: organic matter, fertilizer run-off, or high bacterial loads. Oxygen dissolved in water is necessary for aquatic life, and consequently, the overall ecosystem of the watershed can be effected if levels are low.

Methods:

• Hach probe, made possible from a grant from the Bronx River Parkway Conservancy, was used to determine dissolved oxygen levels in mg/L
• All dissolved oxygen data was derived at the same location where a sample of water was collected for enterococcus monitoring (Site A, Site B, Site C, Site D)
• After calibrating probe according to standard procedures, probe was then placed in river at standard depth and dissolved oxygen was read