International Sakharov Environmental University Healthy Water Student 409

International Sakharov Environmental University Healthy Water Student 409 group Aksenova Yana

Indicators There are three major classes of indicators used in evaluating water system health: 1. Physical 2. Chemical 3. Biological

Bio-indicators • Bio-indicators can be used to assess the health of water. Bio-indicators can include the organisms living within an ecosystem.

HOW ARE THEY USED? • Different bioindicators are sensitive to different types of changes. • Scientists study changes in the populations of animal and plant bioindicators to see if an environment is healthy.

Trout are good indicators because they are very sensitive to their environment.

BIOINDICATORSDAPHNIA

WHAT ARE DAPHNIA? Daphnia are also called “Water Fleas”. They are tiny animals and are in the same family as Shrimp. They are found in almost every body of water. They eat algae and microscopic animals. Many fish eat Daphnia.

DAPHNIA AS BIOINDICATORS Daphnia are very sensitive to their environment. Because they are used as a bio-indicator. Small amounts of chlorine can kill water fleas.

LITTLE DAPHNIA COULD MEAN… -chlorine pollution; -not enough dissolved oxygen; -water that is too acidic or too basic; -unhealthy amounts of a chemical other than chlorine.

Thank you for your attention