The amount of dissolved oxygen in water is primarily affected by?

The amount of dissolved oxygen in water is primarily affected by temperature due to its significant impact on the solubility of gases. As the temperature of water increases, the solubility of oxygen decreases, meaning warmer waters hold less oxygen. Conversely, cooler water can retain more oxygen, which is crucial for aquatic life.

Understanding this relationship is essential for water quality management, as maintaining sufficient dissolved oxygen levels is vital for the health of aquatic ecosystems. Factors such as salinity, pressure, and pH can influence dissolved oxygen levels, but temperature has the most direct and profound effect on how much oxygen water can hold at a given time.