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Water is our number one natural resource! Having clean, healthy rivers benefits humans, wildlife and our quality of life. Now, more than ever, we are reminded that it is essential that all of us help keep pollutants out of our storm drain system and take steps to reduce harmful runoff from making its way into the rivers we value.
What do you know about the unique needs that fish have to breathe in water?
The air we breathe is 21 percent oxygen and it is oxygen that keeps us alive. Fish also need oxygen. Since they don’t have lungs, they breathe by taking water in through their mouth and forcing it out through the gills. The oxygen in the water available to fish is called dissolved oxygen (oxygen that is mixed in the water). As water passes over the gills, dissolved oxygen moves into the blood and travels to the fish’s cells.
Because fish are so dependent on dissolved oxygen, it helps to understand what dissolved oxygen is and how critical it is for fish to stay alive. Fish use gills to take oxygen from water just as we use our lungs to take oxygen from the air. In a fish’s world, oxygen is a rare and precious resource. Although air is 21 percent oxygen, water has only a very tiny amount of dissolved oxygen. Most fish do well when the dissolved oxygen is five parts per million (ppm) or higher. When the dissolved oxygen is less than five ppm, they become uncomfortable. Most fish will begin to suffocate and die when the dissolved oxygen is two ppm or lower.
Factors that affect oxygen in water:
When water is too warm, there may not be enough oxygen in it. If there are excess amounts of bacteria (for example from pet waste) or many aquatic animals in the area, dissolved oxygen can become scarce. Oxygen levels also can be reduced when plants are over-fertilized and then water run-off empties into storm drains and ultimately to a waterbody. Grass clippings and other vegetation that gets into the river can also be a problem. These “nutrients” stimulate microorganism growth which in turn reduces the dissolved oxygen content of the water body. Without sufficient dissolved oxygen in surface water, fish and other aquatic species suffocate.
We invite you to participate in our survey. Your response is anonymous and we hope you will be candid in your answers.
Water is our number one natural resource! Having clean, healthy rivers benefits humans, wildlife and our quality of life. Now, more than ever, we are reminded that it is essential that all of us help keep pollutants out of our storm drain system and take steps to reduce harmful runoff from making its way into the rivers we value.
What do you know about the unique needs that fish have to breathe in water?
The air we breathe is 21 percent oxygen and it is oxygen that keeps us alive. Fish also need oxygen. Since they don’t have lungs, they breathe by taking water in through their mouth and forcing it out through the gills. The oxygen in the water available to fish is called dissolved oxygen (oxygen that is mixed in the water). As water passes over the gills, dissolved oxygen moves into the blood and travels to the fish’s cells.
Because fish are so dependent on dissolved oxygen, it helps to understand what dissolved oxygen is and how critical it is for fish to stay alive. Fish use gills to take oxygen from water just as we use our lungs to take oxygen from the air. In a fish’s world, oxygen is a rare and precious resource. Although air is 21 percent oxygen, water has only a very tiny amount of dissolved oxygen. Most fish do well when the dissolved oxygen is five parts per million (ppm) or higher. When the dissolved oxygen is less than five ppm, they become uncomfortable. Most fish will begin to suffocate and die when the dissolved oxygen is two ppm or lower.
Factors that affect oxygen in water:
When water is too warm, there may not be enough oxygen in it. If there are excess amounts of bacteria (for example from pet waste) or many aquatic animals in the area, dissolved oxygen can become scarce. Oxygen levels also can be reduced when plants are over-fertilized and then water run-off empties into storm drains and ultimately to a waterbody. Grass clippings and other vegetation that gets into the river can also be a problem. These “nutrients” stimulate microorganism growth which in turn reduces the dissolved oxygen content of the water body. Without sufficient dissolved oxygen in surface water, fish and other aquatic species suffocate.
We invite you to participate in our survey. Your response is anonymous and we hope you will be candid in your answers.
A short video clip, 68 seconds, about the value of clean water.
