These paper filters were used to remove particles from one-liter water samples. They show that creeks, lakes, and rivers hold much greater amounts of particulate matter than water from the coastal ocean.
Look closely and you'll see that seawater has fewer particles than the sample from a Texas A&M water fountain, which has only a few more particles than distilled water.
Particles are not the only things affecting water quality. Filters do not capture dissolved salts, minerals, or pollutants.
Creek in central Texas
Lake in central Texas
Hudson River
Coastal ocean about 90 miles off the Atlantic coast
Distilled water
The surf zone on Fire Island, New York
Texas A&M water fountain
Water fountain in New York. Most of this material is copper from decaying pipes.
