Physical indicators for pollution detection in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Abstract

Abstract Background Soil indicators are commonly used to evaluate and give an idea how well soil functions since soil function often cannot be directly measured. Measuring soil quality is an exercise in identifying soil properties that are responsive to management, affect or correlate with environmental outcomes, and are capable of being precisely measured within certain technical constraints. Results Physical pollution indicators are numerical values supporting tangible perception on the state of a given aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem. Physical pollution indicators track qualitative and quantitative changes over time. Most of the physical pollution indicators are applicable in a wide variety of ecosystems from local to regional to national levels. They include temperature, color, odor, aggregate stability, available water capacity, bulk density, infiltration rate, slaking, crusts, structure, and macro-pores. Only, the most distinct and reliable physical pollution indicators with the actual wide practice were designated.

Keywords

• Physical parameters
• Pollution
• Aquatic ecosystems
• Terrestrial ecosystem