1. Water Pollution

2. Water Pollution
= any chemical, biological, or physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms or that makes water unsuitable for desired uses

3. Water Pollution Water Pollution Sources:
Point Sources: discharge pollutants into bodies of surface water at specific locations
Ex: factories, sewage treatment plants, mines, oil tankers
Nonpoint sources: broad & diffuse
Ex: cropland runoff, livestock feedlots, logged forests, urban streets, etc.

4. Water Pollution #1 cause of water pollution: Agriculture
Pollutants: sediment, fertilizer, pesticides, bacteria from manure
#2 cause: Industrial facilities
Ex:
Power plants release coal ash
Fracking: injecting large volumes of water at high pressure into shale rock deposits to release trapped natural gas  pollutes aquifers
#3: Mining
Releases toxic metals

5. Water Pollution Water Pollutants Include:
1. Infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, worms
Sources (S): human & animal wastes (Coliform bacteria)
Harmful effects (HE): diseases in humans & animals
2. Oxygen-demanding wastes: organic waste that is decomposed by aerobic bacteria
S: animal feedlots, paper mills, food processing plants, sewage
HE: depletion of O2 in the water  suffocates aquatic organisms

6. Water Pollution Water Contamination Includes:
3. Inorganic compounds: water-soluble acids, salts, & compounds of toxic metals (Pb, As)
S: surface runoff, industrial effluents, household cleaners
HE: carcinogenic; spine and neck damage; liver, kidneys, and nervous system damage; lower crop yields
4. Organic chemicals: gas, oil, cleaners, detergents, plastics, pesticides and cleaning solvents.
S: industrial effluents, cleaners, surface runoff
HE: carcinogenic; nervous & reproductive system damage

7. Water Pollution Water Contamination
5. Plant nutrients: water-soluble compounds containing nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+) & phosphate (PO43-) ions.
S: sewage, manure, agricultural & urban runoff
HE: causes excessive algae growth  depletion of O2; Nitrates in drinking water can lower blood’s ability to carry O2 and can kill unborn children and infants (Blue Baby Syndrome)
6. Sediment: soil & silt
Sources: land erosion
Harmful effects: turbidity decreases photosynthesis; destroys feeding and spawning grounds for fish

9. Water Pollution Water Contamination Includes:
7. Radioactive material: radioactive isotopes of heavy metals (iodine, radon, uranium, etc.)
S: nuclear & coal-burning power plants; mining; nuclear weapons
HE: carcinogenic and mutagenic; miscarriages, birth defects
8. Thermal pollution: excessively-heated or cooled water
S: water cooling of power plants
HE: thermal shock in fish; lowers dissolved O2 levels  makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to disease
9. Invasive species: fish, mussels, etc.

10. Water Pollution

11. Water Pollution Water-Bourne Diseases Type of Organism Bacteria
Viruses
Parasitic protozoa
Parasitic worms
Disease
Typhoid fever
Cholera
Bacterial dysentery
Enteritis
Infectious hepatitis
Amoebic dysentery
Giardiasis
Schistosomiasis
Effects
Diarrhea, severe vomiting, enlarged spleen, inflamed intestine; often fatal if untreated
Diarrhea, severe vomiting, dehydration; often fatal if untreated
Diarrhea; rarely fatal except in infants without proper treatment
Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting; rarely fatal
Fever, severe headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice, enlarged liver; rarely fatal but may cause permanent liver damage
Severe diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, chills, fever; if not treated can cause liver abscess, bowel perforation, and death
Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, belching, fatigue
Abdominal pain, skin rash, anemia, chronic fatigue, and chronic general ill health

12. APES Friday, January 17, 2014 Reminders: Today’s Schedule:
Unit 8: Water Test Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th
Spring Project due Wednesday, April 16th
Today’s Schedule:
Did you read the Colorado article?
Continue Unit 8: Water Pollution Notes

13. Water Pollution Water Pollution in Freshwater
Rivers & streams recover from moderate levels of oxygen-demanding pollution (natural waste)
Negatively affected by dams & diversion
Still affected by release of toxic pollutants from industries
Example: Ohio’s Cuyahoga River – caught fire several times in late 60’s
Developing Countries: river pollution a major issue
No money for water treatment
Fewer laws against pollution

14. Water Pollution
Water Pollution in Lakes

15. Water Pollution Water Pollution in Freshwater
Lakes more susceptible to pollution because not flowing build up over time
Eutrophication: addition of nutrients (nitrate & phosphates) to lakes; can be natural cultural
Eutrophication Issues:
Plants cover surface of water, blocking sunlight
Algae dies and is decomposed by oxygen-using bacteria  Oxygen level drops  kills fish
Solutions:
Prevention: ban/limit phosphates; wastewater treatment
Clean up excess plant growth
Use of algaecides
Aerate lakes (expensive)

17. Water Pollution Water Pollution: Biomagnification
= build-up of pollutants in the food chain
Occurs in freshwater & marine ecosystems
Reaches high concentrations in top predators (some eaten by humans)
Example: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Great Lakes
Fat soluble, so get stored in animals’ fat

18. Water Pollution Groundwater Pollution Common pollutants
Fertilizers and pesticides
Gasoline
Organic solvents
Slower chemical reactions to decompose organic waste due to:
Slow flow: contaminants not diluted
Less dissolved oxygen
Fewer decomposing bacteria
Low temperatures

19. Water Pollution
Groundwater Pollution

20. Water Pollution Groundwater Pollution Prevention: Clean Up:
Leak detectors on underground tanks
Ban hazardous waste disposal in landfills
Clean Up:
Inject microorganisms or inorganic nanoparticles to remove pollutants

21. APES Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Reminders: Today’s Schedule:
Water Conservation at Home worksheet due TOMORROW!
Unit 8: Water Test Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th
Spring Project due Wednesday, April 16th
Today’s Schedule:
Continue Unit 8: Water Pollution Notes

22. Water Pollution Causes of Ocean Pollution: Urban areas: Industry:
Water Pollution
Causes of Ocean Pollution:
Urban areas:
Sewage
Fertilizer runoff
Industry:
Heavy metals
Farms:
Pesticides
Fertilizers
Manure

23. Water Pollution Ocean Pollution
Oceans can handle degradable pollutants if not overloaded
Coastal areas are most affected:
Algal blooms from runoff of sewage & agricultural waste  called Red or Brown Tides
= Fast overgrowth of toxic algae - kills fish & poisons seafood
Oxygen depleted zones aka “dead zones”: rapid algal growth  die & cause increase in oxygen-consuming bacteria  hypoxic zone (too little oxygen)

24. Water Pollution Louisiana Delta Oxygen Depletion:
Large zone of oxygen depletion occurs every year (May – Sept) off coast of Louisiana (< 2ppm of dO2); result of fertilizer runoff into Mississippi River Basin

25. Water Pollution Chesapeake Bay The largest estuary in the U.S.
Is severely degraded from point & nonpoint source pollutions from it’s six surrounding states

26. Water Pollution Ocean Pollution
Oil spills on coastal areas have an acute impact on the environment but usually subside within 3 – 30 years.
Some of the factors in oil pollution:
Type of oil (crude or refined): refined takes longer
Type of ecosystem involved (coastal or open ocean; intertidal, rocky shore, estuary, or salt marsh)
Amount released
Average water temperature: colder water takes longer to recover
Ocean currents

27. Water Pollution Ocean Pollution: Oil
Cleaning up oil spills – only ~15% can be clean recovered
Mechanical: skimmer boats to vacuum, absorbent devices to soak up
Oil – “eating” bacteria
Famous Oil Spills:
April 2010: BP Deepwater Horizon blow out in Gulf of Mexico
1989: Exxon Valdez oil tanker crash – released 11 mil gal of crude oil
Oil Pollution Act
All oil tankers in US waters will be double hulls by 2015

28. Water Pollution Ocean Pollution Prevention: Cleanup:
Reduce input of pollutants
Ban dumping of wastes
Strictly regulate coastal development & oil drilling
Require double hulls for tankers
Cleanup:
Require secondary water treatment
Leave wetlands to help filter pollutants

29. Water Pollution Water Pollution Prevention
Reducing Nonpoint-source pollution:
Organic farming!
Buffer zones: vegetation between farms/feedlots and nearby surface waters
Reducing Point-source pollution:
Legislation
Water Treatment!
At home: septic tanks & drainage fields
Wastewater/Sewage Treatment Plants

30. Water Pollution
Water Treatment Process:

31. Water Pollution Wastewater = used water
Sewage, shower, sinks, dishwashers, etc.
Water Treatment Process:
Primary treatment: physical process in which screens & a grit tank remove large floating objects and allow solids to settle out
Waste stream flows into primary settling tank  separates wastewater & creates sludge = solids that are separately treated
Removes 60% of solids, 30% of oxygen-demanding organic wastes

32. Water Pollution Water Treatment Process:
Secondary treatment: biological process in which aerobic bacteria remove organic wastes
Wastewater from primary setting tank flows into aeration tank (where bacteria decompose organic wastes)
Then flows into 2nd settling tank & creates activated sludge, which is pumped back to aeration tank or removed for separate treatment
Primary & Secondary Treatment Removes:
95% of solids & organic waste
70% toxic metal & synthetic chemicals
70% phosphorus, 50% nitrogen

33. Water Pollution Water Treatment Process:
Disinfection after 2nd Treatment:
Kills remaining living organisms
Three ways are used:
Chlorination – most common
UV light (more expensive)
Ozone
Tertiary treatment (not required)
Extra chemicals/filters to remove salts, nitrates & phosphates

34. Water Pollution Water Quality Legislation: Clean Water Act (1972)
Protects surface waters from pollution
Financed wastewater treatment facilities
Ocean Dumping Act (1972)
Unlawful to dump sewage or sludge into oceans
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974,1996)
Established federal program to monitor drinking water supply
Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act (1990)
EPA can prevent & respond to oil spills

35. Water Pollution
Water Pollution Prevention

36. APES Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Reminders:
Unit 8: Water Test Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th
Spring Project due Wednesday, April 16th
Today’s Schedule:
TURN IN Water Conservation at Home worksheet!
Biozone Assignment
Introduce Debate
Water Pollution Biozone Assignment:
Just read p. 189 – maybe take notes
Read & answer questions on p.203 (in complete sentences)
Read & answer questions on p.205 (in complete sentences)
Just read p. 206
Read & answer questions for p (in complete sentences)
Read & answer questions for p (in complete sentences)

37. Water Pollution Water Testing
Fecal Coliform Test (e. coli): Testing for biological contaminants: wet a filter disk, put the disk on agar, grow and identify the bacteria.
Chemical testing is done for other areas: dissolved oxygen, BOD, pH, nitrate, phosphates etc.
Each test has different “acceptable” levels

38. Water Pollution
Water Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.)

39. Water Pollution Water Testing Nitrates Acceptable ranges: 0-10 mg/L
Source of contaminant: Human and animal waste, fertilizer, natural nutrients
Indication of contaminant: None; indicated by testing
Health Problems: “Blue Baby Syndrome” Nitrates/nitrites in body block oxygen absorption
Solution: Reverse Osmosis; dig new well; spread mature away from water sources; responsible use of fertilizer

40. Water Pollution Water Testing Lead
Acceptable ranges: 0 – 15 ppb (0.015 mg/L)
Source of contaminant: Pipes, plumbing (solder)
Indication of contaminant: None
Health Problems: Nervous disorders, brain disorders, kidney problems, high blood pressure
Solution: Flush pipes before drinking water; replace older pipes; only use cold water for drinking, cooking, baby formula

41. Water Pollution Water Testing Water Hardness
Acceptable ranges: 0-70=soft; = hard; 180+ = extremely hard
Source of contaminant: Natural dissolved minerals (calcium and magnesium)
Indication of contaminant: White scale build up; soap won’t get “sudsy”, dry skin
Health Problems: None (dry skin); Hard water is tough on appliances
Solution: Water softener (but that puts sodium in water and removes calcium and magnesium)

42. Water Pollution Water Testing pH
Acceptable ranges: (7 is neutral)
Source of contaminant: Rock and soil (natural), pollutants
Indication of contaminant: Very few; blue-green staining of drains
Health Problems: Can cause water to corrode pipes, dissolve toxic metals
Solution: Water neutralizer

43. Water Pollution Water Testing Fluoride Acceptable ranges: 0-4 mg/L
Source of contaminant: Natural fluorine/fluoride minerals or added by city water
Indication of contaminant: None (it is added to city water) Rural wells probably don’t have it
Health Problems: It is rare to have too much fluoride in water. White spots on teeth (fluorosis) Too little fluoride is more common; frequent cavities
Solution: Too little = supplements, mouthwash Too much = dilute with bottled water

44. Water Pollution Water Testing Phosphates Acceptable ranges: 0 - 1 ppm
Source of contaminant: Detergents, fertilizers, animal wastes
Indication of contaminant: None in drinking water – high algae or aquatic plant growth in natural water, “bubbling/foaming”
Health Problems: None for humans – soda has lots of phosphates in them. Causes eutrophication of bodies of water
Solution: Eliminate sources; responsible for animal wastes; avoid washing cars on driveway/streets

45. Water Pollution Water Testing Fecal Coliform (E. coli)
Acceptable ranges: 0 and less than 5% of samples positive in 1 month
Source of contaminant: Human and animal feces, (leaking septic tanks, spreading manure)
Indication of contaminant: Frequent digestive problems
Health Problems: Common gastrointestinal illnesses; indication that other bacteria may be present
Solution: Water filtration; responsibility with human and animal wastes

46. Water Pollution Water Testing Dissolved Oxygen
Acceptable ranges: N/A for drinking water; 5mg/L and above for aquatic life
Source of contaminant: Lack of plant life; too much oxygen-utilizing bacteria (decomposition)
Indication of contaminant: Lack of plant life; too much decomposing organic matter
Health Problems: None if in drinking water; harmful to aquatic life
Solution: Remove decomposing matter; increase plant life; reduce nitrate/phosphate levels; aerate body of water; make sure no thermal pollution exists

47. Water Pollution Water Testing Sulfates
Acceptable ranges: Under 250 mg/L (nuisance, not hazard)
Source of contaminant: Natural sulfur/sulfates in soil, rocks, sulfate consuming bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide
Indication of contaminant: Smelly, 0.5 mg/L smells musty, 1 mg/L and more smells like rotten eggs
Health Problems: Nuisance more than hazard. Can have a laxative effect – mild diarrhea
Solution: Distillation or reverse osmosis; drilling new well

48. Water Pollution Water Testing Carbon Dioxide
Acceptable ranges: N/A in drinking water; Over 20 mg/L harmful to aquatic life
Source of contaminant: Respiration of aquatic life
Indication of contaminant: Fish or aquatic life dying
Health Problems: None in drinking water; aquatic life will die or be unable to reproduce
Solution: Introduce more plant life; remove some of the fish population