Environmental Health Unit: Water Pollution Lesson Objectives: TSWBAT identify types, causes, dangers, preventing, and treating water pollution. TSWBAT create solutions and actions to reduce water pollution in our building and at home.
Water Pollution Water covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and is a very important resource for people and the environment. Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over the world. This consequently harms human health and the natural environment. Today you will find out more about water pollution and what you can do to prevent it.
Causes of Pollution Sewage & wastewater: Domestic households, industrial & agricultural practices produce wastewater that can cause pollution of many lakes & rivers.
Causes of Pollution Marine dumping (in parenthesis is how long is takes for that item to degrade): Cardboard (2 wks.) Newspaper (6 wks.) Photodegradable packaging (6 wks.) Foam (50 yrs.) Styrofoam (80 yrs.) Aluminum (200 yrs.) Plastic packaging (400 yrs.)Glass (???)
Causes of Pollution Atmospheric deposition: Acid rain Underground storage leaks: Over time the steel corrodes and causes leakages, affecting surrounding soil and groundwater.
Causes of Pollution Global warming: Increase in water temperature can result in the death of many aquatic organisms and disrupt many marine habitats
Causes of Pollution Eutrophication: Environment becomes enriched with nutrients. Marine habitats (such as lakes) can cause algal blooms. Fertilizers run-off into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels.
Causes of Pollution Industrial waste – Asbestos, Lead, Mercury, Nitrates, Phosphates, Sulphur, Oils, Petrochemicals Oil pollution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWMqK5H4Z0 Oceans are polluted on a daily basis from oil spills, routine shipping, run-offs & dumping. Oil spills make up 12% of the oil that enters the ocean. The rest comes from shipping travel, drains & dumping.
What do you think??? (write a reaction on your notes outline) Great Garbage Patch What do you think??? (write a reaction on your notes outline) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qT-rOXB6NI
Dangers of Pollution Virtually all types of water pollution are harmful to the health of humans and animals. Water pollution may not damage our health immediately but can be harmful after long term exposure.
Preventing Pollution Conserve water turn off the tap when running water is not necessary helps prevent water shortages & reduces amount of water needing treatment Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Don't throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain. Use environmentally household products
Preventing Pollution Don’t overuse pesticides and fertilizers This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources. Plants in your garden prevent fertilizer, pesticides & contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources. Don't throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby bin
Great Idea! http://www.charitywater.org /willandjada/
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! Complete the worksheet for class credit. Hand the completed worksheet to Mrs. Panaski by the end of class today or at the beginning of the next class meeting.