Water PollutionWater Pollution

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

13th Edition

Chapter 19

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

13th Edition

Chapter 19

Dr. Richard ClementsChattanooga State Technical Community CollegeDr. Richard ClementsChattanooga State Technical Community College

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants

Major pollution problems of surface water Major pollution problems of surface water

Major pollution problems of groundwater Major pollution problems of groundwater

Reduction and prevention of water pollution Reduction and prevention of water pollution

Drinking water quality Drinking water quality

Types and Sources of Water PollutionTypes and Sources of Water Pollution

Point sourcesPoint sources

Nonpoint sourcesNonpoint sources

Biological oxygen demand

Biological oxygen demand

Water qualityWater quality

Refer to Tables 19-1 and 19-2 p. 484 and 485

Refer to Tables 19-1 and 19-2 p. 484 and 485

Fig. 19-3 p. 485Fig. 19-3 p. 485

Point and Nonpoint SourcesPoint and Nonpoint Sources

NONPOINT SOURCES

Urban streets

Suburban development

Wastewater treatment plant

Rural homes

Cropland

Factory

Animal feedlot

POINT SOURCES

Fig. 19-4p. 486

Pollution of StreamsPollution of Streams

Oxygen sag curve Oxygen sag curve Factors influencing recovery Factors influencing recovery

Fig. 19-5 p. 488

Impacts of Hog Farms in NCImpacts of Hog Farms in NC

Smithfield:http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters

NC Cleanup:http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=68

Key Actors and Organizations

Study after Hurricane Floyd:http://www.rwjf.org/reports/grr/038787.htm

Key Actors and OrganizationsKey Actors and OrganizationsPork Producers Political Actors Local Organizations Universities and Media

1-Smithfield Foods Inc.(Anti-regulation)

1-Senator Lauch Faircloth (Anti-regulation)

1-Alliance for Responsible Swine Industry (Pro-regulation)

1-North Carolina State at Raleigh (Neutral)

2-Prestage Farms 2-State Representative John Nichols (Anti-regulation)

2-Halifax Environmental Loss Prevention (Pro-regulation)

2- University of North Carolina (Neutral)

3-Carroll's Foods 3-Governor Jim Hunt (Anti-regulation)

3-Neuse River Foundation (Pro-regulation)

3-Duke University (Neutral)

4-Goldsboro Milling 4-Former Senator Wendell Murphy (Anti-regulation)

4-Institute for Southern Studies (Pro-regulation)

4-News and Observer (Pro-regulation)

5-Murphy Family Farms 5-State Representative Howard J. Hunter (Pro-regulation)

5-Land Loss Prevention Fund (Pro-regulation)

6-N.C. Pork Producers Association 6-N.C. Board of Agriculture (Anti-regulation, maintaining Neutrality)

Pollution of LakesPollution of Lakes

Eutrophication Eutrophication

Slow turnover

Slow turnover

Thermal stratification

Thermal stratification

Fig. 19-7 p. 491Fig. 19-7 p. 491

• Excess nutrients in the water cause explosive plant growth

• When many plants die, they produce a toxin (red algae)

• Decaying plants also reduce the amount of oxygen in the water

• Plant growth (like algae) can suffocate other life in a lake or pond.

EutrophicationEutrophication

• Gulf of Mexico

Case Study: The Great LakesCase Study: The Great Lakes

Fig. 19-8p. 492

Effects of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution on Early Fish Development

Effects of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution on Early Fish Development

• Purpose: To determine if agricultural non-point source pollution was the cause for a decline in fish populations immediately near farms.

• Research: Fish embryo development is a very sensitive test and was a good match

• Hypothesis: Excess nutrients (nitrates/phosphates) in runoff would delay/stop development

My ResearchMy Research

• Experiment: – Take samples from streams near farms– Test what nutrients, chemicals, bacteria were present– Test samples on fish embryos– Observe changes in development.

• Analyze Data: – Compared development with normal (control) group.– Discovered that high levels of nitrates found in runoff from

farms, decreases the number of embryos that successfully make it to adult-hood.

• Conclusion:– Need for better prevention of runoff on farms, or reduction in the

application of nitrates to crops to improve fish populations.

ContinuedContinued

Groundwater Pollution: SourcesGroundwater Pollution: Sources

Low flow rates Low flow rates Few bacteria Few bacteria

Cold temperatures Cold temperatures

Fig. 19-10 p. 494

Coal strip mine runoff

Pumping well

Waste lagoon

Accidental spills

Groundwater flow

Confined aquifer

Discharge

Leakage from faulty casing

Hazardous waste injection well

Pesticides

Gasoline station

Buried gasoline and solvent tank

Sewer

Cesspool septic tank

De-icing road salt

Unconfined freshwater aquifer

Confined freshwater aquifer

Water pumping well Landfill

Groundwater Pollution PreventionGroundwater Pollution Prevention

Monitoring aquifersMonitoring aquifers

Leak detection systemsLeak detection systems

Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal

Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal

Storing hazardous materials above ground

Storing hazardous materials above ground

Ocean PollutionOcean Pollution

Fig. 19-12 p. 498

Case Study: Chesapeake BayCase Study: Chesapeake Bay

Largest US estuary

Largest US estuary

Relatively shallow Relatively shallow

Slow “flushing” action to Atlantic

Slow “flushing” action to Atlantic

Major problems with dissolved O2 Major problems with dissolved O2

Fig. 19-14 p. 500

Oil SpillsOil Spills Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and

storage tanks

Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and storage tanks

Effects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smothering

Effects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smothering

Significant economic impacts Significant economic impacts

Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blotters

Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blotters

Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents

Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents

Solutions: Preventing and Reducing Surface Water PollutionSolutions: Preventing and Reducing Surface Water Pollution

Nonpoint SourcesNonpoint Sources Point SourcesPoint Sources

Reduce runoffReduce runoff

Buffer zone vegetation

Buffer zone vegetation

Reduce soil erosionReduce soil erosion

Clean Water ActClean Water Act

Water Quality ActWater Quality Act

Technological Approach: Septic SystemsTechnological Approach: Septic Systems

Require suitable soils and maintenanceRequire suitable soils and maintenance

Fig. 19-16 p. 504

Technological Approach: Sewage TreatmentTechnological Approach: Sewage Treatment

Mechanical and biological treatmentMechanical and biological treatment

Fig. 19-17p. 504

Technological Approach: Advanced Sewage TreatmentTechnological Approach: Advanced Sewage Treatment

Removes specific pollutantsRemoves specific pollutants

Fig. 19-18p. 505

Technological Approach: Using Wetlands to Treat SewageTechnological Approach: Using Wetlands to Treat Sewage

Fig. 19-19p. 506

Drinking Water QualityDrinking Water Quality

Safe Drinking Water Act

Safe Drinking Water Act

Maximum contaminant levels Maximum contaminant levels

Bottled water Bottled water

Fig. 19-11 p. 495Fig. 19-11 p. 495