1. Water Pollution

2. Water Pollution
Water Pollution: any change in water quality that can harm living organisms or make the water unfit for human uses such as irrigation or recreation.
Usually is contamination by chemical(s) or excessive heat
2 types: point source and nonpoint source

3. Point Source Pollution
Discharge pollutants into bodies of surface water are specific locations through drain pipes.
Examples: factories, sewage treatment plants, underground mines, and oil tankers
Easy to identify, monitor, and regulate.

4. Nonpoint Source Pollution
Broad and diffuse areas
Difficult to identify and control
Expensive to clean up

5. Leading Causes of Water Pollution
Agricultural Activities
Sediment erosion from the lands
Fertilizers and pesticides
Bacteria from livestock and food processing wastes
Industrial facilities
Mining

6. Oil Pollution
Largest source of ocean pollution from oil is urban and industrial run off from land.
If not too large, can be partially cleaned up by mechanical means including floating booms, skimmer boats, and absorbent devices.
It is estimated though that current cleanup methods can recover no more than 15% of the oil from a major spill.
Prevention is the most effective (and cost effective) approach.

7. Major Oil Spills
1989: Exxon Valdez, oil tanker (Prince William Sound, Alaska)
Killed 250,000 seabirds
$15 billion economic damage
2010: BP explosion (Gulf of Mexico)