Heritage Community Foundation Presents
Alberta Online Encyclopedia
Top Left of Navigation Bar The Nature of Alberta Logo
Species at Risk in AlbertaView our site layout to navigate to specific areasSearch our site for informationObtain help for navigating our sitePlease emails us your questions and comments!View our partners that helped us in this project

Ecosystems OverviewEnvironmental IssuesGeological History of AlbertaAlberta's Natural RegionsAdditional Resources
Visit Alberta Source!
Visit the Heritage Community Foundation
Visit Canada's Digital Collections

Biological Characteristics of Water

ProtozoaThe biological characteristics of a water body refer to a variety of living organisms that can be found in water.  These include microscopic viruses, bacteria and protozoans; as well as phytoplankton (microscopic algae), zooplankton (tiny water animals), insects, worms, large plants and fish.  Of significance to humans is that disease-causing viruses and bacteria can be present and transported in water.  Many of these pathogens can enter the water system in sewage (human and animal waste).

Scientists have devised a method of determining if water has been contaminated with sewage by identifying and measuring certain bacteria called fecal coliforms.  These bacteria are known to live in the intestines of mammals.  Although not dangerous in themselves, the presence of fecal coliforms in water indicates that sewage is present and that other disease causing organisms may also be in the water.

 
Reprinted from Focus On Water Quality  (1993) with permission of Alberta Environment.

Albertasource.ca | Contact Us | Partnerships
            For more on the natural history of Alberta, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.
Copyright © Heritage Community Foundation All Rights Reserved