Chemical quality of surface waters in the Brazos River basin in Texas

Abstract

Cumulative-frequency curve, a curve prepared for dissolved-solids concentration by arranging dissolved-solids values of individual samples in order of magnitude and dividing them according to percentages of time during which specific values are equaled or exceeded. This type of curve also referred to as a duration curve. Specific conductance of water, a measure of water's ability to conduct an electric current. Expressed as micromhos per centimeter at 25° C. Varies with concentration and degree of ionization of different minerals in solution and with temperature of water. Furnishes rough measure of dissolvedsolids content of water but does not give any indication of relative quantities of constituents in solution. Pollution, as used in this report, defines conditions in which dissolved-mineral concentration of water exceeds acceptable limits for a particular use. Artificial pollution refers to conditions which have been manmade; natural pollution refers to conditions that man did not create, such as brine inflow from natural salt deposits.