NSWC/WOL/TR 75-3 5 



4.3.4.3 Dissolved Oxygen 



Adequate dissolved oxygen (DO) is necessary for the life of 

 fish and other aquatic organisms. The DO concentration may also be 

 associated with corrodibity of water, photosynthet ic activity, and 

 septic ity. Therefore, it may be desirable to determine the DO in 

 water after an underwater explosion test. 



Membrane electrodes of the polarographic as well as the galvanic 

 type have been used for DO measurements in la"kes and reservoirs^ 

 and in estuarine and oceanographic studies. 30 Being completely 

 submersible, membrane electrodes are well suited for analysis in-situ. 

 Their portability and ease of operation and maintenance render them 

 particularly convenient for field applications. 



Membrane electrodes provide an excellent method for DO analysis 

 in polluted waters, highly colored waters and strong waste effluents. 

 They are recommended for use, especially under conditions which are 

 not expedient for use of other chemical methods. 



Membrane electrodes are commercially available in larger variety. 

 In all these instruments the diffusion current is linearly propor- 

 tional to the concentration of molecular oxygen in the test solution. 



Dissolved organic materials are not known to interfere in the 

 output from dissolved oxygen membrane electrodes, while inorganic 

 salts, reactive gases, and temperature affect the performance of 

 the electrodes. 



No specific electrode or accessory is especially recommended as 

 superior. However, one oxygen analyzer which has been in use and 

 found to be reliable is the Y.S.I. Model 54 oxygen analyzer (Yellow 

 Springs Instrument Co., Yellow Springs, Ohio, $535). 



4.3.5.4 Temperature, Conductivity, and Salinity 



29 Weiss, C. M. and Oglesby, R. T., "Instrumentation for Monitoring 

 Water Quality in Reservoirs", American Water Works Association, 

 83rd Annual Conference, New York, 1963. 



Duxbury, A. C, "Calibration and Use of a Galvanic Type Oxygen 

 Electrode in Field Work", Limol. & Oceanogr., 8, 483 (1963). 



59 



