Water Pollution

Chapter 21

Sources

Point Source Non Point Source

Types

• Organic

• Inorganic

• Radioactive

• Thermal

Organic

1. Nitrogen2. Phosphorous3. Dead Stuff4. Pathogens5. Sheet

Cultural (anthropogenic) Eutrophication

Cholera

Lake Pollution

Eutrophication

Excess of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in water (fertilizer and

animal waste)

Algae grow faster (bloom) blocking light below and

eventually dying and building up at the

bottom

Anaerobic bacteria feed on the dead algae and plants

using up available oxygen

Eutrophication

Fish and other animals die

from suffocation

Bacteria increase more

River Pollution

Fig. 21-4, p. 497

Groundwater Pollution

Fig. 21-7, p. 501

Coal strip mine runoff

Polluted air

Deicing road salt

Pesticidesand fertilizers

Hazardous waste

injection well

Pumping well

Gasoline station

Water pumping well

LandfillSewer

Buried gasoline and solvent tanks

Cesspool, septic tank

Groundwater flow

Confined aquifer

Confined freshwater aquifer

Unconfined freshwater aquifer

Accidentalspills

Waste lagoonLeakage from faulty casing

Discharge

Fig. 21-8, p. 502

Aquifer

Water well

Migrating vapor phase

Contaminant plume moveswith the groundwater

Free gasolinedissolves ingroundwater(dissolved phase)

Groundwaterflow

Watertable

Gasolineleakage plume(liquid phase)

Leakingtank

Bedrock

Ocean Pollution

Fig. 21-10, p. 505

Healthy zoneClear, oxygen-richwaters promote growthof plankton and sea grasses,and support fish.

Oxygen-depleted zoneSedimentation and algaeovergrowth reduce sunlight,kill beneficial sea grasses, useup oxygen, and degrade habitat.

Red tidesExcess nitrogen causesexplosive growth of toxicmicroscopic algae,poisoning fish andmarine mammals.

FarmsRunoff of pesticides, manure, and fertilizers adds toxins and excess nitrogen and phosphorus.

Toxic sedimentsChemicals and toxic metals contaminate shellfish beds, kill spawning fish, andaccumulate in the tissues of bottom feeders.

Construction sitesSediments are washed intowaterways, choking fish and plants, clouding waters, and blocking sunlight.

Urban sprawlBacteria and viruses fromsewers and septic tanks contaminate shellfish beds

Oxygen-depletedzone

Closedbeach

CitiesToxic metals and oil from streets and parking lots pollute waters;

IndustryNitrogen oxidesfrom autos andsmokestacks,toxic chemicals,and heavy metals in effluents flow into bays and estuaries.

Closedshellfish beds

Plastic

http://www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic.html

http://www.bluecommunity.info/video/view/171869/?topic=75645