Out of 350 applicants, the Mattawoman Watershed Society has been awarded a meter that measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in water. The instrument, which uses a state-of-the-art optical process, was awarded by YSI Inc., the meter's manufacturer.

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Just as terrestrial animals breathe oxygen in the air with lungs, aquatic organisms “breath” oxygen dissolved in water with gills. But unlike the steady amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, dissolved oxygen in water varies widely, and can fall below levels that support life. Hence measuring the level of dissolved oxygen is important when characterizing water quality.

Pictured using the meter during a volunteer survey of fish eggs and larvae in the Mattwoman are Haven Carlson and Edward Joell. Photo by Jim Long.