water pollution types and effects of water pollution 2009-10

Water Pollution

Types and

Effects of

Water Pollution2009-10

Infectious Agents

Most serious in terms of human health Pathogenic organisms Typhoid, cholera, dysentery, polio,

infectious hepatitis, schistosomiasis Insect transmitted-yellow fever and malaria Untreated human waste

Developed vs. Developing Countries

Developed-– 90% sewage treatment– 95% clean drinking water

Developing– 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation– 80% of all infectious disease– At least 2 million children die from dysentery

Coliform Tests

Residents of colon Not pathogenic Detect in water, assume sewage present Figure 20.4

Oxygen Demanding Waste

BOD DO Oxygen Sag Figure 20.6 “Flowing waters can recover rapidly from degradable,

oxygen-demanding wastes and excess heat through a combination of dilution and bacterial decay.”– BUT……..cannot recover IF……

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Clean Zone DecompositionZone

Septic Zone Recovery Zone Clean Zone

Normal clean water organisms(trout, perch, bass,mayfly, stonefly)

Trash fish(carp, gar,leeches)

Fish absent, fungi,sludge worms,

bacteria(anaerobic)

Trash fish(carp, gar,leeches)

Normal clean water organisms(trout, perch, bass,mayfly, stonefly)

8 ppm

Dissolved oxygen

Biological oxygendemand

Oxygen sag

2 ppm

8 ppm

Con

cen

trat

ion

Typ

es o

fo

rgan

ism

s

Time or distance downstream

Direction of flow

Point of waste orheat discharge

Figure 19-5Page 488


WaterQuality

Good 8-9

Do (ppm) at 20¢C

Slightlypolluted

Moderatelypolluted

Heavilypolluted

Gravelypolluted

6.7-8

4.5-6.7

Below 4.5

Below 4

Figure 19-3Page 485

Plant Nutrients & Eutrophication

Oligotrophic -low nutrients and low productivity

Eutrophic-rich in organisms and organic material

Eutrophication-normal successional process Chesapeake Bay - a story Poisoned Waters - Frontline

Cultural Eutrophication

Increased nutrients-nitrates & phosphates– Fertilizers and detergents– Nitric acid (precipitation_– Human, animal, and industrial wastes


Discharge of untreatedmunicipal sewage

(nitrates and phosphates)

Nitrogen compoundsproduced by cars

and factories

Discharge of treatedmunicipal sewage

(primary and secondarytreatment:

nitrates and phosphates)

Discharge of detergents

( phosphates)

Manure runofffrom feedlots

(nitrates,phosphates,

ammonia)

Dissolving of nitrogen oxides

(from internal combustionengines and furnaces)

Runoff and erosion(from cultivation,

mining, construction,and poor land use)

Runoff from streets,lawns, and construction

lots (nitrates andphosphates)

Lake ecosystemnutrient overload

and breakdown of chemical cycling

Natural runoff(nitrates andphosphates

Natural runoff(nitrates andphosphates

Inorganic fertil izer runoff(nitrates and phosphates)

Figure 19-7Page 491

Process of Eutrophication

Increase of aquatic algae and plants– Algae blooms - primarily summer– Ugly-decrease recreational value

Bacterial populations increase Lower of oxygen levels - fish kill Marine-red tides

Pollution of Lakes and Ponds (489)

Toxic Inorganics - Heavy Metals

Fatal in as small as parts per million Mercury poison - 1950s - Minamata,

Japan Bioaccumulation -persistent in

ecosystems Lead, mercury, cadmium Industrial and leaching from mines


Water0.000002 ppm

Stepped Art

Figure 19-6Page 490

Phytoplankton0.0025 ppm

Zooplankton0.123 ppm

Rainbow smelt1.04 ppm

Lake trout4.83 ppm

Herring gull124 ppm

Herring gull eggs124 ppm

BIOMAGNIFICATIONBIOMAGNIFICATION

Toxic Inorganics - Salts

Arsenic, chlorides, selenium Road salts Irrigation Mobilization - irrigation and acid

precipitation Road salting

Toxic Inorganics - Acids & Bases Industries -ammonia, metal plating,

petroleum, chemical Home use - dumped into sewers Acid mine drainage-sulfuric “Toxic” precipitation

Great Lakes Region - Water Problems (492)

Organic Chemicals

Thousands of synthetic organics Pesticides, plastics, fibers, medicines,

gasoline, oil, Many highly toxic Disposal of household and industrial Runoff of pesticides Bioaccumulation and biomagnification

10 to 20 percent

Not tested

Greater than 20 percent

Contaminated Probability Figure 19-11Page 495

Sediments Largest volume/mass of water

pollutants Increased erosion rate - soil loss Fills lakes, obstructs shipping Increased cost for industrial users and

water purification plants Block sunlight Smother insects, etc. Carry pesticides, bacteria, fertilizers

Thermal Pollution

Aquatic organisms poorly adapted to changes in temperature

Reduce DO Causes

– Industrial - especially electrical plants– Loss of riparian buffers– Increased runoff (decreased infiltration)

Water Pollution Control

Source Reduction Nonpoint sources and land

management Human Waste disposal

Measuring Water Quality

Coliform bacteria counts(swimming 200 colonies per 100 ml)

DO in water (BOD of waste) Chemical analysis Macroinvertebrate assessment (indicator

species) Physical properties:

– Temperature– Suspended solids - turbidity

Figure 19-2Page 485

Point and Nonpoint

Nonpoint Scattered or Diffuse May be Episodic Precipitation

acid and toxic rain

Runoff pavement, lawns, farms

construction sites

Point• Discharge pollution

from specific locations– Drain pipes

– ditches

– Sewer outlets

• Discrete and identifiable

• Easier to monitor and regulate

Figure 19-4Page 486

NONPOINT SOURCES

Urban streets

Suburban development

Wastewater treatment plant

Rural homes

Cropland

Factory

Animal feedlot

POINT SOURCES

Ocean Non-point Ocean Non-point sourcessources


Great Lakes drainage basin

Most polluted areas, according to the Great Lakes Water Quality Board

“Hot spots” of toxic concentrations in water and sediments

Eutrophic areas

CANADA

WISCONSIN

MINNESOTA

IOWA

ILLINOISINDIANA OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW YORK

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN

Nipigon Bay

Thunder Bay

Silver Bay

St. Louis R.

Jackfish Bay

St. Mary’s R.Spanish R.

Penetary Bay

Sturgeon Bay

SaginawBaySaginaw R.

SystemSt. Clair R.

Detroit R.Rouge R.Raisin R.

Maumee R.

Black R.Rocky R.

Cuyahoga R.Ashtabula R.

Thames R.

Grand R. Niagara Falls

Niagara R.Buffalo R.

St. Lawrence R.

Figure 19-8Page 492


IndustryNitrogen oxides from autosand smokestacks; toxicchemicals, and heavymetals in effluents flowinto bays and estuaries.

CitiesToxic metals andoil from streets andparking lots pollutewaters; sewageadds nitrogen andphosphorus.

Urban sprawlBacteria andviruses from sewersand sept ic tankscontaminate shellfishbeds and closebeaches; runoffof fert ilization fromlawns adds nit rogenand phosphorus.

Construction sitesSediments are washed into waterways,choking fish and plants, cloudingwaters, and blocking sunlight.

FarmsRun off of pesticides, manure, andfert ilizers adds toxins and excessnitrogen and phosphorus.

Red tidesExcess nitrogen causes explosivegrowth of toxic microscopic algae,poisoning f ish and marine mammals.

Healthy zoneClear, oxygen-rich waterspromote growth of planktonand sea grasses, and support f ish.

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

Toxic sedimentsChemicals and toxic metalscontaminate shellfish beds,kill spawning f ish, andaccumulate in the tissuesof bottom feeders.

Closed shellfish bedsClosed

beach Oxygen-depletedzone

Figure 19-12Page 498

Coastal Coastal PollutionPollution

Drainagebasin

No oxygen Low concentrationsof oxygen

PENNSYLVANIA

NEW YORK

WESTVIRGINIA

MARYLAND

DELAWARE

NEWJERSEY

ATLANTICOCEAN

VIRGINIA

Cooperstown

Harrisburg

Baltimore

Washington

Richmond

Norfolk Chesapeake Bay


Open Ocean Pollution

Dumping of toxics, human wastes – Common in developing, often shipped from

developed!!

Radioactive wastes Excessive nutrients Sediments from land – destroying coral

reefs

Petroleum –

Crude and refined – much variation Sources

– Accidents (blowouts and tankers – Valedez)Normal operations

– 50-90% - from land and sewers!! Effects – many variables Volatile organic hydrocarbons – toxics to many

organisms Crude – coats birds and some mammals Coat, smother bottom dwellers Poison bivalves

http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/peril_oil_pollution.html#SOURCES

Toxics in the oceans

Metals and slowly degrading chemicals threaten inland and coastal waters. Toxic materials settle into sea-floor sediments - hazards to benthic organisms that live in and feed on bottom muds.

Persistent chemicals may enter the food web and contaminate the fish and shellfish we eat.

May bioaccumulate and biomagnify

http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/peril_toxins.html

Debris and trash

Almost 300 miles from the nearest inhabited island and over 3000 miles from the nearest continent, Ducie Atoll in the South Pacific is one of the most remote islands

Regulation

The Law of the Sea limits exploitation The London Convention discourages

dumping at sea

Oceans and Nutrient Pollution

Warning Signs Too many nutrients lead to too little

oxygen

Climate Change and the Oceans

Oceans are crucial in shaping climate - they store and move heat around the planet – think of ocean currents

they're a major source and storehouse for gases (such as carbon dioxide) that affect climate

Storms might rage Shores might be submerged §

Sea level would rise if the oceans warmed, If polar ice caps melted, sea level would rise further

A rise of even a few centimeters would flood low-lying islands and coastal cities.

Coral reefs might die back §


Prevention

Reduce input of toxic pollutants

Separate sewage and storm lines

Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material

Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil shipping

Regulate coastal development

Recycle used oil

Require double hulls for oil tankers

Cleanup

Improve oil-spill cleanup capabilities

Require at least secondary treatment of coastal sewage or use wetlands, solar-aquatic, or other sewage treatment methods

Require improved air pollution cleanup to reduce input from the atmosphere

Where is Pennsylvania’s Where is Pennsylvania’s Ground Water?Ground Water?

Everywhere ! !Below Water TableFilling pore spaceFilling fractures

5 Years5 Years

Recharge AreaRecharge Area

Discharge AreaDischarge Area

Recharge AreaRecharge Area

E VA P O TR A N S P O R ATIO N20 IN C H E S

P R E C IP ITAT IO N41 IN C H E S

S U R F A C E R U N O F F 8 IN C H E S

S T R E A M F LO W21 IN C H E S

IN F ILT R AT IO N13 IN C H E S

Hydrologic Cycle in PennsylvaniaHydrologic Cycle in Pennsylvania

Where is Ground-WaterWhere is Ground-Water

Most ImportantMost Important??

>50% GW>50% GW

>50% Homes>50% Homes

Sandstone & ShaleSandstone & Shale

CarbonatCarbonatee

CrystallineCrystallineUnconsolidatedUnconsolidated

Aquifers by Rock TypeAquifers by Rock Type

Sand & Gravel Sand & Gravel


CarbonaCarbonatete


Carbonate Rock AquifersCarbonate Rock Aquifers

Sand & Gravel Sand & Gravel

CarbonateCarbonate

Water table

Solution opening

J oint

Carbonate rocks

NOT TO SCALE

Regolith

AlluviumSinkhole

Intermittent stream

Overland flow

Characteristics of Carbonate RocksCharacteristics of Carbonate Rocks

Large OpeningsHigh YieldsVulnerableHigh Recharge

Precipitation


CarbonaCarbonatete


Crystalline-Rock AquifersCrystalline-Rock Aquifers

Sand & Gravel Sand & Gravel CrystallineCrystalline

10

100

1000

10000

Jan-99

Feb-99

Mar-99

Apr-99

May-99

Jun-99

Jul-99

Aug-99

Sep-99

Oct-99

Nov-99

Dec-99

DIS

CH

AR

GE

(C

FS

)GW Discharge to StreamsGW Discharge to Streams

85%Baseflow

STREAMFLOW

BASEFLOW

SHERMAN CREEK

Waste Disposal –Waste Disposal –Septic SystemsSeptic Systems


Figure 19-104

Coal stripmine runoff

Pumpingwell

Waste lagoon

Accidentalspills

Groundwaterflow

Confinedaquifer

Discharge

Leakagefrom faultycasing

Hazardous wasteinjection well

Pesticides

Gasoline station

Buried gasolineand solvent tank

Sewer

Cesspoolseptic tank

De-icingroad salt

Unconfined freshwater aquifer

Confined freshwater aquifer

Waterpumping well

Landfill

Groundwater Groundwater PollutantsPollutants

38° 44 ' 30"

39° 45 ' 30"

76° 36 ' 76° 35 '

D E E R C R E E KB AS IN

M U D DYC R E E KB AS IN

5 26C O LU M N

11

33

RO

W

B as e fro m U .S . G eo lo g ical S urveyS tewartsto wn 1:24,000, 1983N o rrisville PA -M D 1:24,000, 1984

Area contributingRecharge to well

Wellhead ProtectionWellhead Protection

Supply Well

Factors Related to Bacteria in Well Water

•Lack of sanitary seal Lack of sanitary seal

•Lack of groutLack of grout

MINE

RESOURCE EXTRACTIONRESOURCE EXTRACTION

Agricultural Sources of ContaminationAgricultural Sources of Contamination

Sewage Disposal

What goes “down the drain”? What are problems posed by the

substances? Natural processes - natures way Outhouses Septic Systems Sewage Treatment Wetlands

Householdwastewater

Perforatedpipe

Distributionbox

(optional)

Septic tank

Manhole (forcleanout)

Drainfield

Vent pipe

Nonperforatedpipe

Gravel orcrushedstone

Septic System - Name All PartsSeptic System - Name All Parts


Raw sewagefrom sewers

Bar screenGritchamber Settling tank Aeration tank Settling tank

Chlorinedisinfection tank

Sludge

Sludge digester

Activated sludge

Air pump

(kills bacteria)

To river, lake,or ocean

Sludge drying bed

Disposed of in landfill orocean or applied to cropland,pasture, or rangeland

Primary Secondary


Sewage TreatmentSewage Treatment

Primary

Preliminary Metal Grating - large

solids Grit Tank

Sedimentation Tank• Undissolved solids

settle• About 30% efficient

Secondary

Biological degradation of dissolved organic matter

Trickling Filter or aeration tank Disposal of sludge (anaerobic digestion) 90-95% efficient Most communities use this

Tertiary Treatment

Removes nutrients or other dissolved organic material

Expensive Not common

Anaerobic Digestion

Sludge treatment From where in the sewage treatment

process does the sludge come from? Purpose Process End results

Alternatives

Wetlands Natural Artificial 20-30 days

Effluent Sewerage• Third World• Hybrid-Septic Tank

and central facility from septic tanks

water pollution types and effects of water pollution 2009-10

Documents

pathogenic n

waste n bod n

temperature n

n oxygen sag n figure

cadmium n industrial

sewers n acid

n carry pesticides

infectious agents n