Chapter 22 Water Pollution Types of Water Pollution
Any physical or chemical change in water that adversely affects the health of humans and other organisms Eight categories ____________________ _____________________ 1. Sewage Wastewater from drains or sewers
Causes 2 serious environmental problems: 1. _____________________ Fertilization of water by high levels N and P 2. Increase in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) __________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________ Sewage Sewage: Eutrophication
Oligotrophic Unenriched, clear water that supports small populations of aquatic organisms Sewage: Eutrophication
Slow-flowing stream, lake or estuary enriched by inorganic plant and algal nutrients such as phosphorus 2. Disease-causing Agents
Infectious organisms that cause diseases from wastes of infected individuals Examples: ____________________________________________________________________________ India 3. Sediment Pollution Excessive amounts of suspended soil particles. From: _____________________ Why Is This Bad? Limits light penetration Covers aquatic animals and plants Brings insoluble toxins into waterways 4. Inorganic Plant and Algal Nutrients
N and P that stimulate the growth of plants and algae Harmful in large concentrations Sources: __________________________________________________________________________ Causes: Inorganic Plant and Algal Nutrients: The Dead Zone 5. Organic Compounds Chemicals that contain carbon atoms
Dangerous! Chemicals that contain carbon atoms Natural examples: sugars, amino acids, and oils Human-made examples: _____________________________________ Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater 6. Inorganic Chemicals Contaminants that contain elements other than carbon Do not degrade easily Examples: Lead- Mercury- Found in old paint, industrial pollutants, leaded gasoline bioaccumulates in the muscles of top predators of the open ocean 7. Radioactive Substances
Unstable isotopes that emit radiation Sources: Mining Processing radioactive materials Nuclear power plants Natural sources 8. Thermal Pollution Factories release heated water into waterways
Why is this bad? Organisms affected ________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Two Types of Water Pollution
1. Point Source Pollution __________________________________________________________________________ 2. Non-point Source Pollution _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________ Water Pollution from Agriculture
Agriculture is ____________________ Animal wastes and plants residues have high BOD Chemical pesticides Almost all streams and rivers are polluted with agricultural pesticides Important**** There is NO regulation!!!! Municipal Water Pollution Industrial Wastes in Water
Different industries generate different pollutants Food processing plants- high BOD Paper mills- High BOD and toxic compounds Many industries recover toxins before they go into the waste stream Green Chemistry Groundwater Pollution Water Pollution in Other Countries
Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela Po River, Italy Ganges River, India Used for bathing and washing clothing Sewage and industrial waste discharged into river Ganga Action Plan initiated by government Construction of 29 sewage treatment plants Purification of Drinking Water
In US most municipal water supplies are treated Purification of Drinking Water
Treated water distributed to customers Purification of Drinking Water
Chlorine Dilemma Chlorine byproducts are linked to numerous cancers, miscarriages and birth defects Peru Fluoridation Prevents tooth decay Linked to cancer, kidney disease Municipal Sewage Treatment Laws Controlling Water Pollution
Citizen Watchdogs to Monitor Pollution Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) Set uniform federal standards for drinking water including maximum contaminant level Clean Water Act (1972) EPA sets up and monitors National Emissions Limitations Effectively improved water quality from point sources