1. Introduction to Water Pollution
Target:
Describe sources of water pollution the effects of different pollutants in the water.

2. What are the major categories of water pollutants
What are the major categories of water pollutants? Provide examples, major human sources, and harmful effects.

3. Infectious Agents Examples
Components
Examples
Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms
Major Human Sources
Human and animal waste
Harmful Effects
Disease

4. Oxygen-Demanding Wastes
Components
Examples
Organic waste that can be decomposed by aerobic bacteria
Major Human Sources
Sewage, animal feedlots, paper mills, and food processing plants
Harmful Effects
Dramatic increase in BOD resulting in a crash in DO

5. Inorganic Chemicals Examples Major Human Sources Harmful Effects
Components
Examples
Water-soluble acids; toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic and selenium; salts and fluorides
Major Human Sources
Surface runoff, industrial effluences, and household cleaners
Harmful Effects
Unusable water for drinking and irrigation; fluoride can cause skin cancers and spinal/neck damage; lead and arsenic can damage nervous system, liver, and kidneys; harm aquatic life; lower crop yields; increase metal corrosion

6. Organic Chemicals Examples
Components
Examples
Oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents, detergents
Major Human Sources
Industrial effluents, household cleansers, surface runoff from farms and yards
Harmful Effects
Some pesticides can cause nervous system damage; some solvents can cause reproductive disorders and some cancers; fish and aquatic life

7. Plant Nutrients Examples
Components
Examples
Water-soluble compounds containing nitrates, phosphates and ammonium ions
Major Human Sources
Sewage, manure and runoff of agricultural and urban fertilizers
Harmful Effects
Algae blooms – high BOD resulting in low DO; excessive levels of nitrates – blue baby syndrome

8. Sediment Examples Major Human Sources Harmful Effects Soil and silt
Components
Examples
Soil and silt
Major Human Sources
Land erosion
Harmful Effects
Increase turbidity and decreases GPP; disrupt food webs, carry harmful substances such as pesticides and bacteria; destroy critical feeding and spawning grounds for fish; clog and fill lakes; artificial reservoirs, stream channels and harbors

9. Radioactive Materials
Components
Examples
Radioactive isotopes of iodine, radon, uranium, cesium and thorium
Major Human Sources
Nuclear and coal-burning power plants, mining and processing of uranium and other ores, nuclear weapon production; natural sources
Harmful Effects
Genetic mutation, miscarriages, birth defects, and certain cancers

10. Heat- Thermal Pollution
Components
Examples
Excessive heat
Major Human Sources
Water cooling of electric power plants and some industrial plants
Harmful Effects
Decreased DO levels – makes aquatic organisms more vulnerable to disease, parasites, and toxic chemicals; thermal shock

11. How do we measure water quality?
WQI –
Temperature pH DO
BOD
Turbidity
Nitrates
Phosphates
Fecal coliform bacteria
Macroinvertebrates

12. Healthy Ranges for Fecal Coliform and DO
Drinking water: 0 colonies/ 100 mL
Swimming: 200 colonies/ 100 mL
Raw sewage: several million colonies/ 100 mL
Good: 8-9 ppm at 20 degrees C
Moderately polluted: ppm at 20 degrees C
Gravely polluted: below 4 ppm at 20 degrees C

13. What is the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution?
Point: pollutants discharged at specific locations through drain pipes, ditches or sewer lines.
Example: factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, and oil tankers
Nonpoint: pollutants scattered and diffused which cannot be traced to any single site of discharge.
Example: acid deposition and runoff from croplands, feedlots, logged forests, urban streets, lawns, golf courses, and parking lots.