Water Pollution

Questions for Today: What are examples of point and nonpoint pollution sources for water? What are examples of point and nonpoint pollution sources for water? What are the Major Types of Water Pollutants and Diseases transmitted in Water? What are the Major Types of Water Pollutants and Diseases transmitted in Water? What are two measurements used to determine clean waters in lakes and rivers? What are two measurements used to determine clean waters in lakes and rivers? Compare and Contrast Oligotrophic Lakes with Eutrophic Lakes. Compare and Contrast Oligotrophic Lakes with Eutrophic Lakes.

Sources of Water Pollution Remember: Remember: –Point sources are pollutions sources where you can identify the sole polluter and/or pollutant –Nonpoint sources are sources where you cannot identify the polluter or the pollutant can come from many anonymous sources.

Top Three polluters Agricultural Activities Agricultural Activities –Sediment eroded from agricultural lands –Fertilizers and pesticides Industrial Wastes Industrial Wastes –Organic and inorganic wastes –Heat Mining Mining –Erosion of Sediments and Toxic Chemicals

Top areas of nonpoint pollution Parking Lots Parking Lots –Prevent absorption of water back into the water table –Increases flooding and erosion Plastic Plastic –Polymers are forever!

Major Water Pollutants Aside from the different chemicals, inorganic and organic, that enter our water supply, infectious disease is one of the major water pollutants. Aside from the different chemicals, inorganic and organic, that enter our water supply, infectious disease is one of the major water pollutants. –Identified over 500 types of diseases The World Health Organization (WHO) The World Health Organization (WHO) –Each year, approximately 3.2 million people die prematurely from water-borne infectious diseases. –1 child every 18 seconds die due to diarrhea alone!

Water Quality Two of the biggest measures for water quality are: Two of the biggest measures for water quality are: –Dissolved Oxygen Amount of Oxygen ready to use in the water Amount of Oxygen ready to use in the water –Biochemical Oxygen Demand Amount of Oxygen needed for organic growth. Amount of Oxygen needed for organic growth. –When both measurements are graphed we get a oxygen sag curve.

Oligotrophic vs Eutrophic Oligotrophic lakes are lakes with low nutrient, clear water, BIG fish, and Cold, High DO, low BOD Oligotrophic lakes are lakes with low nutrient, clear water, BIG fish, and Cold, High DO, low BOD Eutrophic Lakes high nutrient, murky/brackish water, small fish and bugs, warm, Low DO, High BOD Eutrophic Lakes high nutrient, murky/brackish water, small fish and bugs, warm, Low DO, High BOD Oligotrophic lakes -> Eutrophic Lakes Oligotrophic lakes -> Eutrophic Lakes –Cultural Eutrophism

Questions for Today: What major sources of pollution for ground water? What major sources of pollution for ground water? What laws are in effect for our drinking water? What laws are in effect for our drinking water? What are major sources of pollution for ocean water? What are major sources of pollution for ocean water?

Major sources of groundwater pollution Remember that half of the US Drinking water comes from groundwater sources like aquifers. Remember that half of the US Drinking water comes from groundwater sources like aquifers. Common Pollutants include: Common Pollutants include: –Hydrocarbons –Inorganic Chemicals –Organic Solvents

Major Sources of GW Pollution The Problem The Problem –Once contaminant hits the water supply, the GW is essentially ruined. –Groundwater flows slower than surface water so it cannot naturally biodegrade the pollutant as well as a river or stream.

Laws protecting our Water U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 –Requires the EPA to establish a Maximum Contaminant Level for any contaminant entering our water. Clean Water Act Clean Water Act –Many provisions guarding our water supplies –Requires treatment facilities for municipal water and regulates the amount of pollutants entering our water.

Pollution in the Ocean Most of the Open Oceans are considered “clean” due to the vastness and the deep waters. Most of the Open Oceans are considered “clean” due to the vastness and the deep waters. Most of the pollution problems are located closer to the coastlines and shores due to agricultural runoff and access to sunlight. Most of the pollution problems are located closer to the coastlines and shores due to agricultural runoff and access to sunlight.

Fig , p. 548 Industry Nitrogen oxides from autos and smokestacks, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals in effluents flow into bays and estuaries. Cities Toxic metals and oil from streets and parking lots pollute waters; sewage adds nitrogen and phosphorus. Urban sprawl Bacteria and viruses from sewers and septic tanks contaminate shellfish beds and close beaches; runoff of fertilizer from lawns adds nitrogen and phosphorus. Construction sites Sediments are washed into waterways, choking fish and plants, clouding waters, and blocking sunlight. Farms Runoff of pesticides, manure, and fertilizers adds toxins and excess nitrogen and phosphorus. Red tides Excess nitrogen causes explosive growth of toxic microscopic algae, poisoning fish and marine mammals. Toxic sediments Chemicals and toxic metals contaminate shellfish beds, kill spawning fish, and accumulate in the tissues of bottom feeders. Oxygen-depleted zone Sedimentation and algae overgrowth reduce sunlight, kill beneficial sea grasses, use up oxygen, and degrade habitat. Healthy zone Clear, oxygen-rich waters promote growth of plankton and sea grasses, and support fish. Closed shellfish beds Closed beach Oxygen-depleted zone

Ocean Pollution Aside from Agricultural, a major pollutant is oil that is leaked off of rigs and tanker ships and industrial and city runoff. Aside from Agricultural, a major pollutant is oil that is leaked off of rigs and tanker ships and industrial and city runoff. The Exxon Valdez crash in 1989 The Exxon Valdez crash in 1989 –Cost roughly 6.5 billion dollars The Prestige Crash in 2002 The Prestige Crash in 2002 Industrial Runofff accounts for 37% of the oil pollution in the ocean Industrial Runofff accounts for 37% of the oil pollution in the ocean

Gulf of Mexico and Pollution The Gulf Coast has some of the worst water in the nation due to it’s low DO count. The Gulf Coast has some of the worst water in the nation due to it’s low DO count. –Why? –How many states drain waste into the Gulf of Mexico