The Common Usage of General Quality Assessment - Essay Example

Analysis of Water Quality Assessment Methods of Analysis of Water Quality Assessment Methods Executive Summary Water quality assessment has recently become one of the most significant subject matter for resource management authorities. It is merely because of the aquatic changes being observed for past many years. This report highlights the necessary information regarding the methods which are being utilized to assess water quality. The range of methods of assessment including chemical and biological methods will also be studied in the paper with respect to their advantages and disadvantages. Also, this report will increase awareness regarding different schemes being applied for water quality assessment around the world. The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Chemical And Biological Methods Of Assessment: As per the report of Chapman, it is easier to note that biological methods allow careful screening of any effect which may be arising because of any reservoir or water body (Hartje 2002). It should also be noted that the biological methods are applied in order to help measure the intensity of the change in the ecological cycle. However, there are many indicators which would give a clear idea as to what extent is being noted in terms of ecological change (Yamaguchi andWesselink 2000). These indicators can be dead fish or the changing colors of the water etc. At one hand these indicators might help in analyzing the changes which are undergoing in the ecological cycle while on the other hand there are some of the aquatic changes which will take place and cannot be identified without the usage of aquatic biota. One of the biological assessments which is being commonly used in order to undergo water quality assessment is the past time assessment of the environment (Dinar and Albiac 2009). This is in the context of the fact that aquatic organisms leave their traces to affect the ecological cycle which can be noted when the changes is already on its final stage. In simpler words, it is complicated for the biologists to evaluate the change in its initial stages (Roy, Oborne and David 2009). It is because of this reason that assessment is undertaken by considering past time and the present time of the environment. Another method which is being employed world wide is acute toxicity testing which is applied in cases where water is greatly affected by pollution (EnecoTech 2004). Chemical method for assessment of water quality is noted as a very expensive form of quality measuring tool. Chemical method does not show a longer duration result as in the biological method in which organisms give a longer period results. In this way assessment can be done without loosing any sample (Northern Territory Government 2009). • Techniques for gathering field data:  In water sampling, different samples are taken through a standardized procedure and then checked for certain impurities or chemical obscurity. Testing to physical, chemical or biological properties are part of the assessment (Mandal 2006). Quality checks are made in order to inspect impurities, viruses, bacteria, enzymes or any other toxic deposits, which is mandatory in terms of drinking water application. To make sure that it is away from all sorts of harmful diseases and infections; sampling method is a sufficient technique to be applied in public health service or any other agricultural application (Northern Territory Government, 2009). Sampling procedure is applicable to all water sources like water could be sampled from rivers, lakes, ground waters, streams or from small ponds. In the water body sampling, care must be given on how to submerge the sampler and get the sufficient amount for computing inspection (Artiola et al., 2004). If sediments are not part of the assessment, try not to engage with the water bed, because it could derail the sampler and water couldn’t be collected in the required proportion. Sampling could also be done via using bottles and dipping them to a sufficient level of water course to attain the right amount. This technique is applicable for both flowing waters and static waters in order to inspect for deposited pests, oils, sediments or other impurities (Danielson, 2004). • Methods of analyzing data gathered in the field  Different methods are applied in order to measure and evaluate the data of water quality assessment. The most common form of data analysis method is factor analysis. The reason behind using this analytical method is to allow the biologists to find out the scatter plots and homogenous attribute of the particles which are gathered during the data collection techniques. The methods which are applied to evaluate the data collected during the sampling process vary in terms of regions (Hunt and Dobbs 1991). Some countries apply preliminary analysis of the data and then distribute it in terms of hypothesis. Some notable data analysis methods are t-test, non-parametric tests etc. Among all the data analysis methods, the most commonly used analysis is Cluster method of data collection because it can help in dividing the information in series where soil and particles figures can be mentioned separately. It should be noted that different countries prefer different methods of data analysis for the quality assessment of water because the usage of technology. Some of the states make use of methods in which there is large statistical information because this enables them to apply computerized software to calculate data. On the other hand, some countries consider the data analysis to be done by using labor intensive analysis method. This is merely because they might no rely on artificial intelligence. However, the test results of Chapman’s report mentioned that applying computerized panels can be cost effective allowing more and more grip of the assessment procedures (Mitchell 2004). • The relationship between chemical quality and ecosystem integrity: Chemical quality is one measure of an attribute which identifies the ability of water to get used. Likewise in drinking application or in aquatic life, chemical quality of water decides whether it is in its best form to get used or in an unhygienic order (Chapman, 1998). Ecosystem integrity is the condition in which environment is present. It is the health of environment which indicates that how much polluted or clean the eco system is. The water cycle and the flows of water on the surface areas are dependent on the ecosystem integrity (Chapman, 1998). When ecosystem sustains the integrity, it adheres to the purification in the chemical quality of water. This is how eco system integrity is naturally related to chemical quality of water (Artiola, Pepper and Brusseau 2004). In chemical assessment of water the results can quickly be found on the basis of nitrates, ammonia, phosphates, dissolved oxygen and other agents necessary for aquatic life. Apart from chemical findings, water can be assessed for physical properties like hardness, conductivity or density via chemical methods, where additional physical tests are required. Microscopic bacteria like fecal coliform which is not found through biological methods, they can easily be recognized through chemical water assessment. Apart from other advantages, chemical methods are fast to apply and with quick results (Chapman, 1998). The chemical assessment of water quality is extremely expensive and requires a lot of labor to carry out the test. The process is only applicable where there are chances for the contamination of water which is caused by Industrial wastes. The effect of chemicals that are taken as a sample from the water can be different from the original sample because of laboratory settings. However, advantages of the chemical assessment are more relevant and supersede its disadvantages (Chapman, 1998). • Water quality assessment schemes currently applied: In the contemporary age, a number of schemes are being applied around the world in order to maintain the quality of water and making it eligible for human purpose and saving aquatic life. The common usage of general quality assessment (GQA) has been very common in past one decade because it had enable biologists to analyze the factors which can lead into higher amount of pollutants. However, the GQA has some of its limitation in terms of direct action to be taken to remove any sort of pollution in the water. The current and most modern scheme is the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) (The European Parliament 2000). In the Britain, Water Regulations Advisory Scheme is being used currently to ensure that the quality of water is being checked and assessed completely with a direct action. The success of this scheme is that it covers a large proportion of the water resources. However, one limitation would be its inability to evaluate hidden or unexplored particles. It will not be incorrect to note that different countries have applied different methods of assessment but the most wholesome scheme has been as per the European Directive is WFD which is successful in terms of evaluating sediments which have not been noted even now. This means that particles which are not expected to be in the reserves can be noted and exterminated from the water resources. List of References Artiola, J.F., Pepper, I.L. & Brusseau, M.L., 2004. Environmental monitoring and characterization. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Chapman, D., 1996. Water quality assessments, A guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring. Cambridge: E & FN Spon. Danielson, T., 2004. Protocols for collecting water grab samples in rivers, streams, and freshwater wetlands. [Online] Augusta Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Dinar, A. & Albiac, J., 2009. Policy and strategic behavior in water resource management. London: Routledge. EnecoTech, 2004. Source water assessment methodology for surface water resources and ground water sources under the direct influence of surface water. [Online] Denvar, Colorado Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Hartje, V., 2002. International dimensions of integrated water resource management. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Hunt, T. & Dobbs, A., 1991. Sampling and analysis of water to assess exposure. Amsterdam: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. pp.219-33. Mandal, R., 2006. Water resource management. New Delhi: Ashok Kumar Mittal Concept Publishing Company. Mitchell, B., 2004. Integrated water resource management, institutional arrangements, and land using planning. Environment and Planning, 37(8), pp.1335-52. National Research Council, 1982. Scientific basis of water resource management. Washington DC: National Academy Press. Northern Territory Government, 2009. Methology For the sampling of surface waters. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Rogers, P. & Alan, H., 2003. Effective water governance. [Online] Elanders Novum Available at: http://www.tnmckc.org/upload/document/bdp/2/2.7/GWP/TEC-7.pdf [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Roy, D., Oborne, B. & David, H., 2009. Integrated water resources management in Canada recommendations for agricultural sector participation. Winnipeg, Manitoba: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The European Parliament, 2000. DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Communities, pp.1-72. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2010. Water contaminants regulated by the us. environmental protection agency and their health effects. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Yamaguchi, A. & Wesselink, A., 2000. An overview of selected policy documents on water resources management that contributed to the design of HELP (Hydrology for the environment, life and policy). [Online] Paris Available at: [Accessed 8 August 2012]. Read More