About This Course

This course is designed to allow flexible learning for people who are engaged in the water quality sector or who are interested in understanding how aquatic organisms can provide information about water quality. All aquatic organisms need specific water quality requirements to thrive and multiply. They are natural components of water bodies, but can also be affected by human activities that lead to water pollution or disturbance of the freshwater environment. Many organisms are also sensitive to some groups of contaminants. This course introduces how gaining an understanding of the specific requirements of different types of aquatic organisms enables them to be used as indicators of water quality. It demonstrates some selected methods of incorporating aquatic organisms into water quality monitoring programmes and provides guidance on sampling strategies.