Manganese
| Temperature | Acidity | Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | pH | Aluminum |
| Flow | Alkalinity | Total Dissolved Solids (Conductivity) | Iron | Manganese |
Magnesium, a common metallic metal found in the earth's crust, is of
particular importance in water pollution. Manganese can be found in a variety
of forms and can be present in a variety of compounds and complexes with organic
compounds. Like iron, it's a naturally occurring metal that often becomes
a problem after local mining activities cease.
Samples are analyzed for magnesium in a lab using standard procedures. Results
are recorded in mg/L and compared to the State Drinking Water Standard, which is
0.05mg/L.
Magnesium precipitates out of water when it comes in contact with oxygen,
turning the channel black, however the pH must raise above 10 before it will
precipitate out. The affects of elevated levels of manganese on aquatic
life is difficult to determine because it is often associated with other
naturally occurring, yet detrimental metals. Research has concluded that the
less common precipitated form of manganese is more toxic then the dissolved
form. As it settles to the channel bottom it, like iron and aluminum, destroys
the aquatic ecosystem by covering rocks and filling cracks where insects live
and fish lay their eggs, lowering macroinvertebrate diversity.