Science & Technology

EPA Metadata Style Guide Keywords and EPA Organization Names

The following keywords and EPA organization names listed below, along with EPA’s Metadata Style Guide, are intended to provide suggestions and guidance to assist with the standardization of metadata records.

Obtaining AQS Data

AQS Obtaining AQS Data

AQS NO2 and SO2 NAAQS Revisions

AQS Memos - Lead monitors and the analyzing agency

Indicators: Human Disturbance

Human disturbance is a measure of the vulnerability of aquatic resources to a variety of harmful human activities such as tree removal, road building, construction near shorelines/streambanks, and artificial hardening of lakeshores with retaining walls.

Indicators: Lakeshore Habitat/Riparian Vegetative Cover

Riparian and lakeshore vegetative cover consist of the vegetation corridor alongside streams, rivers, and lakes. Vegetative cover refers to overhanging or submerged tree limbs, shrubs, and other plants growing along the shore of the waterbody.

Indicators: Sediment Toxicity

Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is a critical nutrient required for all life. Phosphate (PO4), which plays major roles in the formation of DNA, cellular energy, and cell membranes (and plant cell walls). Too much phosphorus can create water quality problems.

Indicators: Sediment Mercury

Sediment mercury is mercury that has become embedded into the bottom substrates of aquatic ecosystems. Mercury is a common pollutant of aquatic ecosystems and it can have a substantial impact on both human and wildlife health.

Indicators: Phosphorus

Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is a critical nutrient required for all life. Phosphate (PO4), which plays major roles in the formation of DNA, cellular energy, and cell membranes (and plant cell walls). Too much phosphorus can create water quality problems.

Indicators: Nitrogen

Nitrogen, like phosphorus, is a critical nutrient required for all life. Nitrogen can occur in rivers and streams, lakes, and coastal waters in several forms including ammonia (NH3), nitrates (NO3), and nitrites (NO2).

Indicators: Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen that is present in water. It is an important measure of water quality as it indicates a water body's ability to support aquatic life. Water bodies receive oxygen from the atmosphere and from aquatic plants.

Indicators: Conductivity

Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to pass an electrical current. Because dissolved salts and other inorganic chemicals conduct electrical current, conductivity increases as salinity increases.

Indicators: Atrazine

Atrazine is an herbicide widely used for control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. It is sprayed on row crops such as corn, sorghum and sugarcane, and in some areas is used on residential lawns. It also been used on highway and railroad rights-of-way.

Indicators: Zooplankton

Zooplankton are small, free-floating aquatic microorganisms including crustaceans, rotifers, open water insect larvae, and aquatic mites. The zooplankton community is composed of both primary consumers and secondary consumers.

Indicators: Sediment Diatoms

Diatoms are a type of algae that are typically abundant in marine and freshwater ecosystems. They have inorganic cell walls made up of silica (glass). Diatoms most commonly grow suspended in water, although they can also attach to substrates.

Indicators: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are free-floating, microscopic algae that inhabit the sunlit, upper layer of most freshwater and marine environments. They are usually responsible for the color and clarity of lakes, wetlands, rivers, streams and estuaries.

Indicators: Fish Assemblage

Fish assemblage refers to the variety and abundance of fish species in a given waterbody. Fish are sensitive indicators of physical and chemical habitat degradation, environmental contamination, migration barriers, and overall ecosystem productivity.

Indicators: Wetland Vegetation (Introduced Species)

Introduced plants are indicators of the ecological integrity of waters and evidence of increased human-caused disturbance in the watershed. Introduced species that cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health, are called invasive species.

Indicators: Wetland Vegetation (Plant Community)

Wetland vegetation specifically grows in water or is adapted to a growing in soil that is at least periodically flooded with water. These wetland plants are also referred to as “hydrophytes.”

Indicators: Chlorophyll a

Chlorophyll allows plants (including algae) to photosynthesize, i.e., use sunlight to convert simple molecules into organic compounds. Chlorophyll a is the predominant type of chlorophyll found in green plants and algae.