Jargon Made Simple

Chloride is a naturally occurring mineral often found in water. High concentrations are not necessarily harmful but can cause damage and corrode pipes and other plumbing fixtures found in your greenhouse or irrigation system. Further, when very high levels of chloride in spray water is detected, it can cause damage to plant life via root absorption or direct contact with the plant leaves.

Testing the electrical conductivity in water helps determine the amount of impurities in the water. Agricultural runoff can increase dissolved solids in the water, increasing electrical conductivity. This test is important to grasp the quality of the water being used as well as determining the impact on the environment.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium which can be found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded animals. There are several strains of E. coli and other coliforms which are not harmful to humans, but some strains can cause nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. These strains are most harmful to young children, the elderly, and certain livestock animals.

Water that tests positive for E. coli and other coliforms is a clear indication that the water has been contaminated by fecal matter either from animals or humans. This can be an indicator that wastewater systems are not being managed properly or livestock have contaminated the local environment. This can be an issue especially if contaminated water is being used for food-crop irrigation, human drinking water, or livestock drinking water.

Heavy metals are elements found in soil and water which can accumulate and become toxic to humans and animals. Heavy metals pollute the environment, cause crop death and contaminate the food chain through absorption into crops and food animals. Knowing the levels of heavy metals in the water and/or soil is essential to ensure the longevity of crops and to intercept contaminated meat and vegetation that could contain dangerous levels of heavy metals destined for the dinner table.

Heterotrophs are microorganisms that can create colonies of bacteria, molds and yeasts by using carbon sources. HPC measures these colonies in water to ensure they are within acceptable limits. They are found in all types of water, and high HPC counts should be corrected to prevent bacterial regrowth, which could lead to adverse quality of water, vegetation, and meat.

Testing the water used to irrigate crops is very important as plants rely on it for essential nutrients. Certain elements in the water can impact pesticide and fertilizer retention and availability. Knowing what’s in your water can also give you a better understanding of what nutrients need to be supplemented and what are normally present in your water.

Testing of lakes, rivers and aquifers for common contaminants. Testing the source water is especially important in rural areas near livestock farms so we can have a better understanding of our impact on the surrounding environment, as well as assess what potential contaminants can be making their way into the water your plants and livestock use every day.

Nitrogen is a non-metal element which makes up approximately 78% of the earth’s atmosphere. It can be found in water, soil and air. It is a major component in chlorophyll, which helps plant life to photosynthesize. Even though it is a vital element, high concentrations in soil can cause nitrogen toxicity to plants (nutrient burn), and cause algae blooms in water (making the water no longer usable for irrigation or drinking). These blooms are detrimental to water quality and decreases the amount of oxygen in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic animals.

Trace metals are metallic elements which are necessary in small amounts for animal and plant development. Plants absorb these elements through water and they are then carried through the food chain. In excessive amounts, they can be toxic to people and animals.

Different plants have different trace metal requirements and ensuring these elements are present within a certain range can be beneficial to maximizing yield.

Tubidity is cloudiness in water caused by floating partcles suspended in the water. It is important to test cloudy water. Certain particles suspended in water can create a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and microbes. Turbidity can be an indicator of pollution, and cause issues with irrigation equipment and plumbing.