dissolved oxygen level

views updated May 29 2018

dissolved oxygen level The concentration of oxygen held in solution in water. Usually it is measured in mg/l (sometimes in μg/m3) or expressed as a percentage of the saturation value for a given water temperature. The solubility of oxygen varies inversely with temperature; this is important, because the warmer the water the larger the proportion of dissolved oxygen that is used by poikilotherms. The dissolved oxygen level is an important first indicator of water quality. In general, oxygen levels decline as pollution increases.

dissolved oxygen level

views updated May 21 2018

dissolved oxygen level The concentration of oxygen held in solution in water. Usually it is measured in mg/1 (sometimes in μg/m3) or expressed as a percentage of the saturation value for a given water temperature. The dissolved oxygen level is an important first indicator of water quality. In general, oxygen levels decline as pollution increases.