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- Oxygen gets into water when atmospheric oxygen is directly absorbed. During daylight hours, underwater photosynthesis by plants contributes to the levels of dissolved oxygen in water bodies. As part of the process, plants obtain oxygen and release it into the water.
mywaterearth.com/how-does-dissolved-oxygen-get-into-water-understanding-the-process/How Does Dissolved Oxygen Get Into Water: Understanding the ...
Jun 5, 2018 · Water temperture affects dissolved-oxygen concentrations in a river or water body. As the chart shows, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in surface water is affected by temperature and has both a seasonal and a daily cycle. Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water.
Oxygen gets into water three ways: 1) diffusion from the surrounding air; 2) aeration (rapid movement); and 3) when released as a by-product of photosynthesis by algae and aquatic plants. There are a number of physical and biological factors that can impact the DO levels in waterbody such as a lake.
The ultimate source of oxygen in water exposed to air is the atmosphere, but some oxygen is contributed by as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Water bodies in which there is much organic productivity often display wide fluctuations of dissolved oxygen in response to biological activities.
There are two ways that dissolved oxygen enters water, either from photosynthesis from aquatic plants or through diffusion with the surrounding air. Oxygen is also consumed in the water by respiration of aquatic animals and plants, decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms, and different chemical reactions.
The main mechanism is atmospheric diffusion where oxygen in the air is absorbed by surface water due to a difference in oxygen concentrations. Second, aquatic plants photosynthesize and release oxygen into the water.
Dissolved oxygen is best measured directly in the water using a calibrated dissolved oxygen sensor. Dissolved oxygen can be measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L) or as a percentage of the calculated (or expected) amount at saturation, referred to as dissolved oxygen saturation (%DO).
