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Comes from the word surface active agent. They are amphiphilic molecules and are thus absorbed in the air-water interface. At the interface, they align themselves so that the hydrophobic part is in the air and hydrophilic part is in water. This will cause the decrease in surface or interfacial tensions.

Phosphorus occurs in natural water and wastewater almost solely as phosphates. It is a common constituent of agricultural fertilizers, manure, and organic wastes in sewage and industrial effluent. It is an essential element for the growth of plants and animals and in lake ecosystems. But excessive amount of phosphorus in water can lead to eutrophication resulting in reduced stability of the ecosystem. Phosphorus concentrations can be measured by colorimetric determination by stannous chloride method or ascorbic acid reduction method.

pH is a measure of how acidic or basic water is. Its technical and scientific definition is that it is a measure of the activity of the hydrogen ion (H + ). The pH of water is a very important measurement parameter concerning water quality. It affects aquatic life wherein some creatures can only live at a usual pH range. It can also affect the solubility and toxicity of chemicals and heavy metals in the water. pH can be measured using a potentiometric instrument such as pH meter.

Nitrates are a form of naturally occurring nitrogen compounds found in several different forms in aquatic ecosystems. Nitrates are essential plant nutrients but can cause significant water quality problems in excess amount. It can accelerate eutrophication, causing dramatic increases in aquatic plant growth and thus, affects dissolved oxygen, temperature, and other indicators. Nitrate can be measured by nitrate-selective electrode meters.

Fluorine is a natural trace element and exists in almost all soils. Fluoride is classified as any binary compound of fluorine with another element. Perhaps the most widely known use of fluoride is its addition to public drinking water supplies at about one milligram per liter (mg/L) of a fluoride salt, measured as fluoride, for the purpose of reducing tooth decay.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) refers to the level of free, non-compound oxygen present in water or other liquids. Oxygen is perhaps the most well-established indicator of water quality. It is an important parameter in assessing water quality because of its influence on the organisms living within a body of water.  A dissolved oxygen level that is too high or too low can harm aquatic life and affect water quality. DO can be measured through classical method of azide modification or by membrane-electrode DO meters.