Seawater And Clean Water Controversy: A Case Study

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An estuary is a body of water in which fresh water from streams and rivers flows into seawater-containing oceans (Estuaries, 2008). The mixture of both seawater and fresh water is termed brackish water (Estuaries, 2008). Salinity depends on the exact location of an estuary, as the salt concentration is nonexistent in the fresh water end compared to the sea water end. The normal levels of salinity are between 0.5 to 35 ppt (Estuaries, 2008). Based on the central location of the fish kill site, the salinity level should be between 0.5 to 35 ppt.
The typical pH range for an estuarine system is between 5 and 9, which is the range most finfish populations adapt to live in (pH, 2012). The main chemical species responsible for affecting the pH include the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide (pH, 2012).
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The water is completely deprived of fish below a pH level of 4.5 (Effects of changes, n.d). This problem occurs because aluminum ions in the soil unleash into the lakes, ultimately killing all types of fish by clogging their gills through excess mucus (Effects of change, n.d). Very high pH levels can damage the outer surface of the fish, such as the skin, gills, and eyes (Effects of changes, n.d.). High pH also increases the toxicity of ammonia, which further harms aquatic life (Effects of changes, n.d.).
The solubility of oxygen in water is around 8 mg O2/L (Oxygen (O) and Water, n.d.). Because oxygen solubility is dependent on temperature, oxygen solubility increases at lower temperatures and decreases at higher temperatures (Oxygen (O) and Water, n.d.). Oxygen solubility is also higher in freshwater, because it decreases with increased dissolved solids (Oxygen (O) and Water,

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