What factors influence the amount of dissolved oxygen in water?
1. Temperature has a big effect on amount of dissolved oxygen water can hold. Warmer water can hold less dissolved oxygen than colder water. Consequently, this may also vary depending on the season, weather, the time of day, and the amount of thermal pollution. 2. When there is an overabundance of organic matter like dead algae, aquatic aerobic bacteria can grow rapidly. These bacteria consume oxygen during respiration and as a result, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the watershed is decreased. 3. Low atmospheric pressure found at higher altitudes slightly decreases the solubility of dissolved oxygen. 4. The various minerals dissolved in water can lower the water s capacity to hold oxygen. Consequently, a lower salinity equals a higher potential for dissolved oxygen concentration. 5. Mixing of air and water caused by swiftly flowing water over rocks, by wind, or thermal upwelling, increases dissolved oxygen concentrations. This process is called aeration. A body of water that is very
