PollutionPollution

Indicators of pollutionIndicators of pollution

Monitoring pollutionMonitoring pollution

• scientists monitor pollution of water, scientists monitor pollution of water, air and land.air and land.

• Some are researchers at universitiesSome are researchers at universities

• International organisationsInternational organisations

• GovernmentsGovernments

• Local authoritiesLocal authorities

• Power companiesPower companies

Ways to monitor pollutionWays to monitor pollution

• Data recorders:- measure changes in Data recorders:- measure changes in concentrations of particular concentrations of particular chemicals.chemicals.

• Plants and animals (indicator Plants and animals (indicator organisms):- scientists look for organisms):- scientists look for longer-term effects of pollution.longer-term effects of pollution.

Animals as pollution indicatorsAnimals as pollution indicators

• Invertebrate animals are good Invertebrate animals are good indicators of water pollution. Some indicators of water pollution. Some can live onve in very polluted water can live onve in very polluted water others can only live in clean waterothers can only live in clean water

Clean water

Very polluted water

Stone fly nymph

Freshwater shrimp

Sludge worm

Mayfly nymph

Pond skater

Rat-tailed maggot

lichenslichens

• Lichens are sensitive to the amount of Lichens are sensitive to the amount of sulphur dioxide, some species more than sulphur dioxide, some species more than others.others.

• The species present and number of different The species present and number of different species give clues about air pollution.species give clues about air pollution.

• Lichens grow slowly, they indicate long-Lichens grow slowly, they indicate long-term purity of the air.term purity of the air.

• Air pollution is also monitored daily with Air pollution is also monitored daily with chemical testschemical tests

low high

Shrubby lichen Leafy lichenCrusty lichen

questionsquestions

• Give 3 reasons why we monitor pollutionGive 3 reasons why we monitor pollution

• Why do power companies employ scientists Why do power companies employ scientists to check air pollution.to check air pollution.

• Which type of lichen would you expect to Which type of lichen would you expect to find in a city centre? Explain your answerfind in a city centre? Explain your answer

• What types of lichen would you expect to What types of lichen would you expect to find in the country side? explain your find in the country side? explain your answeranswer

What you need to What you need to remember!!remember!!

Indicators of pollutionIndicators of pollution

We can use_________ organisms to We can use_________ organisms to show how much pollution there is, show how much pollution there is, including_________ as indicators of air including_________ as indicators of air pollution. Invertebrate animals as pollution. Invertebrate animals as indicators of___________ ___________indicators of___________ ___________

lichens Water pollution

indicator