Water quality
Water is a critical resource for life on earth!
We use water for many purposes, not just drinking and washing. The stewardship of water rests on all of us, but especially those who grow our food. Inputs to food production systems may not always stay put. Growers are continuously addressing concerns of fertilizer run-off and soil erosion. This set of materials helps illustrate how water is affected by human activities, one of which is food production.
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A global pandemic doesn’t stop water quality research
Every state that touches the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or one of the Great Lakes has a Sea Grant Program. Sea Grant Programs are modeled after Land Grant Institutions, and take the research results and disseminate the information …
e-learning
e-learning
Aquaculture
How are fish benefiting from soy feed? The global demand for protein is rising due to increasing urbanization, rising incomes and the growth of the middle class. Seafood consumption is increasing, as seafood is a comparatively inexpensive source of protein. Learn how a new type of soy-based feed decreases the environmental impact of aquaculture, making it more sustainable.
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Cover crops and water quality
Cover crops can directly impact water quality. With all the attention being given to improving water quality and reducing nutrient loads going into Ohio’s waterways, farmers are encouraged to consider a multifaceted approach of best management …
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H2Know digital case study
How might water quality be improved? The H2Know case study invites students to investigate water quality in Lake Erie. Students will gather information about the problem, consider potential contributors and environmental factors, review …
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Here, fishy fishy: aquaculture systems
How does soymeal feed compare to fishmeal feed when raising Tilapia in an aquaculture system? Take on multiple roles within an aquaculture farm including set-up and maintenance of tanks, test water quality, investigate possible feed sources and monitor fish health and growth.
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More initiatives to improve water quality
Ohio is thirsty for some quality H2O, but the legislature has recently struggled with how to get it. After debating two separate water quality bills for over a year, the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate finally passed H.B. 7 in …
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Ohio 2022 water quality status report released
From trends in soil tests that show marked improvement in water quality over the last 20 years, to the ongoing on-farm best practices research being done in northwest Ohio to help farmers find the best nutrient management solutions for them, water …
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Phosphorus dynamics in water and soil
Largely blamed for many of the water quality issues we hear about today, phosphorus is one of the primary nutrients in crop production.
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Reducing nitrogen runoff
Healthy soils keep our nutrients recycling, plant available, and result in less nitrogen pollutions (less N runoff or N lost as atmospheric gases).
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Solving water quality problems
Too much phosphorus in water can harm plant and aquatic animal life or cause phytoplankton ‘blooms’. The higher levels of phosphorus are usually caused by sewage, industrial, and agricultural run-off. Fertilizers on residential lawns also contribute …
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The OG of water quality
The positive impact to water quality as a result of farmers taking ownership and taking action should not be understated.
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two-stage ditch and sod waterways pulling a farm together
“Using conservation practices allows us to mitigate some of the variability. We now use cover crops to try to keep something living in the soil all year around.”
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Water quality
What affects water quality in your area? Access to clean water is a critical issue in many countries. In the United States there are few places where we cannot find clean water to drink or swim in. This unit explores some of the potential …
e-learning
e-learning
Water quality
What factors are used to judge water quality? What human activities might lead to cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms? Students will learn about the process and effects of cultural eutrophication and describe ways to reduce risk.
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Water quality, a statewide issue
Cameron Spencer’s 7th grade science class at West Liberty Salem Middle School completed water quality tests as part of their Water, Air & Space unit. The class discussed the concepts of non-point source pollution, water quality issues, and basic …
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Water quality and human impacts
Why is water quality important? How is water quality measured? The US EPA has set water quality standards in accordance with the Clean Water Act: Water quality standards are important because they help to protect and restore the quality of the Nation's surface …
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Water quality e-learning increases understanding
What do your students know about algal blooms? Our free e-learning course will help them understand what causes the problem and how farmers are working to help the environment. Melissa Abrams, a teacher at Hillsdale High School, attended the Ohio …
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Watersheds, wetlands and water quality data analysis
Why is water quality important? What factors impact water quality? This unit will discuss the importance of water quality, describe several impacts to water quality, and include a data analysis activity that students complete to determine how wetlands play a role in …