Environmental Issues

Pollution n The presence of a SUBSTANCE in water, air, or soil that makes them OFFENSIVE to humans.

WATER n Is one of our most precious RESOURCES

Water n Water that is suitable for DRINKING is referred to as POTABLE water

Sources of Pollution n Oil Products n Soil Erosion n Animal and Human Waste n Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides n High temperature water discharge

Eutrophication n An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment

Nutrients n Nutrients in water are expressed in terms of PARTS PER MILLIONS (PPM)

Nitrates n Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION

Sources of Nitrates n Animal Waste n Human Waste n Chemical fertilizers n Dead and decaying organisms

Eutrophication n One of the first INDICATIONS of eutrophication in water is the presence of ALGAE

Eutrophication n Also known as POND SCUM

Waste Control n Sewage Treatment Plants n Septic Tanks n Waste Lagoons

Sewage Treatment Plants n Larger towns and cities n Treat waste water to remove B.O.D. n Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, & UV Light n Tremonton, Brigham City

Septic Tanks n Used in rural areas n Settling tank and Drain Field n Will not work if area is densely populated

Waste Lagoons n Used in dairies, feed lots, and some towns and cities n Logan and Perry n Animal waste is stored in a settling pond where it is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria

Water Pollution n Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water

Ground water n Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers

Surface Water n Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers

Non-Point Source Pollution n Pollution that originates from many sources

Point source pollution n Pollution that results from a single source

Erosion n Our largest environmental problem n Wasting away of soil by wind or water

Two main problems of erosion n The loss of Topsoil n The pollution of water by the erosion of soil

Soil Erosion Damage n Loss of topsoil n Pollution of rivers and streams n Kills fish and plants

Soil Conservation Service n An agency organized to help prevent the loss of topsoil and to stop erosion caused by the washing away of soil.

Examples of soil conservation practices n Windbreaks n Terracing n Crop rotation (summer fallow) n Contour plowing n No-till and minimum till planting

Wetlands n A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year

Wetlands provide several roles n Habitat n Filtering of water n Water storage n Flood prevention

EPA Regulations n Restrict use n Incentives to preserve wetlands n Permit must be obtained before land can be disturbed