Title: Conduct a water analysis.
Course: Biological Applications in Agriculture (18308-I) > Section: Understanding Principles of Water and Soil Quality

Conducting a water analysis could include testing for

- contaminants
  - pesticides (e.g., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides)
  - pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
  - heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic)
- pH
- nutrients
  - nitrates
  - nitrites
  - phosphates
- hardness
- dissolved oxygen
- turbidity (soil erosion)
- salinity.

Data should be organized and communicated to an audience.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How do pathogens enter agricultural water supply systems?
- What effects do pesticides in the water supply have on the health of livestock?
- Who conducts water analyses in the local area?
- How can pH be adjusted in a water source?
- What tests are mandated for specific animals, plants, or aquaculture farms?
- How can a water source be purified from a given contaminant?
- How can water hardness negatively affect plant growth and health? Why?
- What are the acceptable ranges of specific chemicals, pollutants, or pathogens in a water source used for animals?