Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution.

Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution

Chapter Overview Questions
What pollutes water, where do these pollutants come from, and what effects do they have? What are the major water pollution problems in streams and lakes? What causes groundwater pollution, and how can it be prevented? What are the major water pollution problems affecting oceans?

Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)
How can we prevent and reduce surface water pollution? How safe is drinking water, and how can it be made safer?

Updates Online The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at to access InfoTrac articles. InfoTrac: Cleaning Up an Effluent Society. Business Week Online, March 22, 2006. InfoTrac: Nuclear Reactors Found to Be Leaking Radioactive Water. Matthew L. Wald. The New York Times, March 17, 2006 pA21(L). InfoTrac: Water and farms: towards sustainable use. Kevin Parris, Wilfrid Legg. OECD Observer, March 2006 i254 p14(3). WHO: Arsenic in Drinking Water National Ocean Service: Welcome to Nonpoint Source Pollution EPA: Surface and Groundwater

Core Case Study: Using Nature to Purify Sewage
Ecological wastewater purification by a living machine. Uses the sun and a series of tanks containing plants, snails, zooplankton, crayfish, and fish (that can be eaten or sold for bait). Figure 21-1

WATER POLLUTION: SOURCES, TYPES, AND EFFECTS
Water pollution is any chemical, biological, or physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms or makes water unsuitable for desired uses. Point source: specific location (drain pipes, ditches, sewer lines). Nonpoint source: cannot be traced to a single site of discharge (atmospheric deposition, agricultural / industrial / residential runoff)

Cuyago River Fire Chesapeake Water Pollution (Very long Video)

Major Water Pollutants and Their Effects

Table 21-2, p. 495

A fecal coliform bacteria test is used to indicate the likely presence of disease-causing bacteria in water. Figure 21-2

Water quality and dissolved oxygen (DO) content in parts per million (ppm) at 20°C. Only a few fish species can survive in water less than 4ppm at 20°C. Figure 21-3

Water Quality DO (ppm) at 20°C Good 8–9 Slightly polluted 6.7–8
Moderately polluted 4.5–6.7 Heavily polluted Figure 21.3 Natural capital degradation: water quality and dissolved oxygen (DO) content in parts per million (ppm) at 20°C (68°F). Only a few fish species can survive in water with less than 4 ppm of dissolved oxygen at this temperature. QUESTION: Would you expect the dissolved oxygen content of polluted water to increase or decrease if the water is heated? Explain. Below 4.5 Gravely polluted Below 4 Fig. 21-3, p. 496

POLLUTION OF FRESHWATER STREAMS
Flowing streams can recover from a moderate level of degradable water pollutants if they are not overloaded and their flows are not reduced. In a flowing stream, the breakdown of degradable wastes by bacteria depletes DO and creates and oxygen sag curve. This reduces or eliminates populations of organisms with high oxygen requirements.

Water Pollution Problems in Streams
Dilution and decay of degradable, oxygen-demanding wastes and heat in a stream. Figure 21-4

Normal clean water organisms
(Trout, perch, bass, mayfly, stonefly) Trash fish (carp, gar, leeches) Fish absent, fungi, sludge worms, bacteria (anaerobic) Trash fish (carp, gar, leeches) Clean Normal clean water organisms (Trout, perch, bass, mayfly, stonefly) Types of organisms 8 ppm Dissolved oxygen (ppm) 8 ppm Biological oxygen demand Clean Zone Figure 21.4 Natural capital: dilution and decay of degradable, oxygen-demanding wastes and heat in a stream, showing the oxygen sag curve (blue) and the curve of oxygen demand (red). Depending on flow rates and the amount of pollutants, streams recover from oxygen-demanding wastes and heat if they are given enough time and are not overloaded. Recovery Zone Septic Zone Decomposition Zone Clean Zone Fig. 21-4, p. 497

POLLUTION OF FRESHWATER STREAMS
Most developed countries have sharply reduced point-source pollution but toxic chemicals and pollution from nonpoint sources are still a problem. Stream pollution from discharges of untreated sewage and industrial wastes is a major problem in developing countries.

Global Outlook: Stream Pollution in Developing Countries
Water in many of central China's rivers are greenish black from uncontrolled pollution by thousands of factories. Figure 21-5

Case Study: India’s Ganges River: Religion, Poverty, and Health
Religious beliefs, cultural traditions, poverty, and a large population interact to cause severe pollution of the Ganges River in India. Very little of the sewage is treated. Hindu believe in cremating the dead to free the soul and throwing the ashes in the holy Ganges. Some are too poor to afford the wood to fully cremate. Decomposing bodies promote disease and depletes DO.

Case Study: India’s Ganges River: Religion, Poverty, and Health
Daily, more than 1 million Hindus in India bathe, drink from, or carry out religious ceremonies in the highly polluted Ganges River. Figure 21-6

POLLUTION OF FRESHWATER LAKES
Dilution of pollutants in lakes is less effective than in most streams because most lake water is not mixed well and has little flow. Lakes and reservoirs are often stratified and undergo little mixing. Low flow makes them susceptible to runoff. Various human activities can overload lakes with plant nutrients, which decrease DO and kill some aquatic species.

Cultural Eutrophication
Eutrophication: the natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary or slow moving stream, mostly from runoff of plant nutrients from the surrounding land. Cultural eutrophication: human activities accelerate the input of plant nutrients (mostly nitrate- and phosphate-containing effluents) to a lake. 85% of large lakes near major population centers in the U.S. have some degree of cultural eutrophication.

POLLUTION OF GROUNDWATER
Groundwater can become contaminated with a variety of chemicals because it cannot effectively cleanse itself and dilute and disperse pollutants. The drinking water for about half of the U.S. population and 95% of those in rural areas comes from groundwater.

Unconfined freshwater aquifer
Polluted air Pesticides and fertilizers Hazardous waste injection well Deicing road salt Coal strip mine runoff Buried gasoline and solvent tanks Pumping well Gasoline station Cesspool, septic tank Water pumping well Waste lagoon Sewer Landfill Leakage from faulty casing Accidental spills Figure 21.7 Natural capital degradation: principal sources of groundwater contamination in the United States. Another source is saltwater intrusion from excessive groundwater withdrawal (Figure 14-12, p. 315) (Figure is not drawn to scale.) Discharge Unconfined freshwater aquifer Confined aquifer Confined freshwater aquifer Groundwater flow Fig. 21-7, p. 501

It can take hundreds to thousand of years for contaminated groundwater to cleanse itself of degradable wastes. Nondegradable wastes (toxic lead, arsenic, flouride) are there permanently. Slowly degradable wastes (such as DDT) are there for decades.

Contaminant plume moves with the groundwater
Leaking tank Aquifer Water table Bedrock Figure 21.8 Natural capital degradation: groundwater contamination from a leaking gasoline tank. As the contaminated water spreads from its source in a widening plume, it can be extracted by wells used to provide water for drinking and irrigation. Groundwater flow Free gasoline dissolves in groundwater (dissolved phase) Gasoline leakage plume (liquid phase) Migrating vapor phase Water well Contaminant plume moves with the groundwater Fig. 21-8, p. 502

Leaks from a number of sources have contaminated groundwater in parts of the world. According the the EPA, one or more organic chemicals contaminate about 45% of municipal groundwater supplies. By 2003, the EPA had completed the cleanup of 297,000 of 436,000 underground tanks leaking gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, or toxic solvents.

Case Study: Arsenic in Groundwater - a Natural Threat
Toxic Arsenic (As) can naturally occur at high levels in soil and rocks. Drilling into aquifers can release As into drinking water supplies. According to WHO, more than 112 million people are drinking water with As levels times the 10 ppb standard. Mostly in Bangladesh, China, and West Bengal, India.

Groundwater Pollution
Solutions Groundwater Pollution Prevention Cleanup Find substitutes for toxic chemicals Pump to surface, clean, and return to aquifer (very expensive) Keep toxic chemicals out of the environment Inject microorganisms to clean up contamination (less expensive but still costly) Install monitoring wells near landfills and underground tanks Require leak detectors on underground tanks Figure 21.9 Solutions: methods for preventing and cleaning up contamination of groundwater. QUESTION: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Pump nanoparticles of inorganic compounds to remove pollutants (may be the cheapest, easiest, and most effective method but is still being developed) Ban hazardous waste disposal in landfills and injection wells Store harmful liquids in aboveground tanks with leak detection and collection systems Fig. 21-9, p. 504

OCEAN POLLUTION Oceans, if they are not overloaded, can disperse and break down large quantities of degradable pollutants. Pollution of coastal waters near heavily populated areas is a serious problem. About 40% of the world’s population lives near on or near the coast. The EPA has classified 4 of 5 estuaries as threatened or impaired.

and heavy metals in effluents flow into bays and estuaries. Cities
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; Urban sprawl Bacteria and viruses from sewers and septic tanks contaminate shellfish beds 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 toxicmicroscopic algae, poisoning fish and marine mammals. Closed shellfish beds Closed beach Oxygen-depleted zone Figure 21.10 Natural capital degradation: residential areas, factories, and farms all contribute to the pollution of coastal waters and bays. According to the UN Environment Programme, coastal water pollution costs the world $16 billion annually—$731,000 a minute—due to ill health and premature death. 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. Fig , p. 505

OCEAN POLLUTION Harmful algal blooms (HAB) are caused by explosive growth of harmful algae from sewage and agricultural runoff. Figure 21-11

Oxygen Depletion in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
A large zone of oxygen-depleted water forms for half of the year in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of HAB. Figure 21-A

Missouri River Mississippi River Basin Ohio River Mississippi River MS
Figure 21.A Natural capital degradation: a large zone of oxygen-depleted water (less than 2 ppm dissolved oxygen) forms for half of the year in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of oxygen-depleting algal blooms. Evidence indicates that it is created mostly by huge inputs of nitrate (NO3−) and phosphate (PO43−) ions from farms, cities, and factories in the vast Mississippi River basin. The satellite image (bottom left) shows the inputs of such nutrients into the Gulf of Mexico during the summer of In the image, reds and greens represent high concentrations of phytoplankton and river sediment. This problem is worsened by loss of wetlands, which help filter plant nutrients. (NASA) LA LOUISIANA Mississippi River TX Depleted oxygen Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico Fig. 21-A, p. 507

Case Study: The Chesapeake Bay – An Estuary in Trouble
Pollutants from six states contaminate the shallow estuary, but cooperative efforts have reduced some of the pollution inputs. Figure 21-12

OCEAN OIL POLLUTION Most ocean oil pollution comes from human activities on land. Studies have shown it takes about 3 years for many forms of marine life to recover from large amounts of crude oil (oil directly from ground). Recovery from exposure to refined oil (fuel oil, gasoline, etc…) can take years for marine life to recover.

OCEAN OIL POLLUTION Tanker accidents and blowouts at offshore drilling rigs can be extremely devastating to marine life (especially diving birds, left). Figure 21-13

Coastal Water Pollution
Solutions Coastal Water Pollution Prevention Cleanup Reduce input of toxic pollutants Improve oil-spill cleanup capabilities Separate sewage and storm lines Ban dumping of wastes and sewage by maritime and cruise ships in coastal waters Sprinkle nanoparticles over an oil or sewage spill to dissolve the oil or sewage without creating harmful by-products (still under development) Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil shipping Figure 21.14 Solutions: methods for preventing and cleaning up excessive pollution of coastal waters. QUESTION: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? Require at least secondary treatment of coastal sewage Regulate coastal development Use wetlands, solar-aquatic, or other methods to treat sewage Recycle used oil Require double hulls for oil tankers Fig , p. 509

PREVENTING AND REDUCING SURFACE WATER POLLUTION
The key to reducing nonpoint pollution – most of it from agriculture – is to prevent it from reaching bodies of water. Farmers can reduce runoff by planting buffers and locating feedlots away from steeply sloped land, flood zones, and surface water.

How Would You Vote? To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. Should we greatly increase efforts to reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources even though this could be quite costly? a. No. Most farmers and ranchers can't afford more regulations. b. Yes. Nonpoint source water pollution is a serious environmental and human health threat.

PREVENTING AND REDUCING SURFACE WATER POLLUTION
Most developed countries use laws to set water pollution standards, but such laws rarely exist in developing countries. The U.S. Clean Water Act sets standards fro allowed levels of key water pollutants and requires polluters to get permits. EPA is experimenting with a discharge trading policy similar to that for air pollution control.

Reducing Water Pollution through Sewage Treatment
Septic tanks and various levels of sewage treatment can reduce point-source water pollution. Figure 21-15

Manhole cover (for cleanout) Septic tank Gas Distribution box Scum
Wastewater Sludge Drain field (gravel or crushed stone) Figure 21.15 Solutions: septic tank system used for disposal of domestic sewage and wastewater in rural and suburban areas. Vent pipe Perforated pipe Fig , p. 510

Raw sewage reaching a municipal sewage treatment plant typically undergoes: Primary sewage treatment: a physical process that uses screens and a grit tank to remove large floating objects and allows settling. Secondary sewage treatment: a biological process in which aerobic bacteria remove as much as 90% of dissolved and biodegradable, oxygen demanding organic wastes.

Sewage treatment process

Primary and Secondary sewage treatment. Figure 21-16

in landfill or ocean or applied to cropland,
Primary Secondary Chlorine disinfection tank Bar screen Grit chamber Settling tank Aeration tank Settling tank To river, lake, or ocean Sludge Raw sewage from sewers Activated sludge (kills bacteria) Air pump Sludge digester Figure 21.16 Solutions: primary and secondary sewage treatment. Disposed of in landfill or ocean or applied to cropland, pasture, or rangeland Sludge drying bed Fig , p. 511

Advanced or tertiary sewage treatment: Uses series of chemical and physical processes to remove specific pollutants left (especially nitrates and phosphates). Water is chlorinated to remove coloration and to kill disease-carrying bacteria and some viruses (disinfect).

Sewage sludge can be used as a soil conditioner but this can cause health problems if it contains infectious bacteria and toxic chemicals. Preventing toxic chemicals from reaching sewage treatment plants would eliminate such chemicals from the sludge and water discharged from such plants.

Odors may cause illness or indicate presence of harmful gases.
Dust Particles Particles of dried sludge carry viruses and harmful bacteria that can be inhaled, infect cuts or enter homes. BUFFER ZONE Exposure Children may walk or play in fertilized fields. Livestock Poisoning Cows may die after grazing on sludge-treated fields. Sludge Groundwater Contamination Harmful chemicals and pathogens may leach into groundwater and shallow wells. Surface Runoff Harmful chemicals and pathogens may pollute nearby streams,lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Figure 21.17 Natural capital degradation: some potential problems with using sludge from sewage treatment plants as a fertilizer on croplands. The EPA says that sludge is safe to use if applied following its guidelines. Scientists and people who have gotten sick from exposure to sludge fertilizer claim that the guidelines are inadequate and not well enforced. Fig , p. 513

How Would You Vote? To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. Should we ban the discharge of toxic chemicals into pipes leading to sewage treatment plants? a. No. Many small businesses and manufacturers can't afford tougher regulations. b. Yes. Dangerous wastes are still being released into sewage treatment plants.

Natural and artificial wetlands and other ecological systems can be used to treat sewage. California created a 65 hectare wetland near Humboldt Bay that acts as a natural wastewater treatment plant for the town of 16,000 people. The project cost less than half of the estimated price of a conventional treatment plant.

Water pollution laws have significantly improved water quality in many U.S. streams and lakes but there is a long way to go. Some want to strengthen the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA) to prevent rather than focusing on end-of-the-pipe removal. Many farmers and developers see the CWA as limiting their rights as property owners to fill in wetlands.

How Would You Vote? Should the U.S. Clean Water Act be strengthened?
To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. Should the U.S. Clean Water Act be strengthened? a. No. Many farmers, ranchers and small businesses can't afford additional regulations. b. Yes. It will further reduce pollution and protect the environment and human health.

DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Centralized water treatment plants and watershed protection can provide safe drinking water for city dwellers in developed countries. Simpler and cheaper ways can be used to purify drinking water for developing countries. Exposing water to heat and the sun’s UV rays for 3 hours can kill infectious microbes.

Using Laws to Protect Drinking Water
While most developed countries have drinking water quality standards and laws, most developing countries do not. The U.S Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to establish national drinking water standards (maximum contaminant levels) for any pollutant that may have adverse effects on human health.

Using Laws to Protect Drinking Water
The U.N. estimates that 5.6 million Americans drink water that does not meet EPA standards. 1 in 5 Americans drinks water from a treatment plant that violated one or more safety standard. Industry pressures to weaken the Safe Drinking Act: Eliminate national tests and public notification of violations. Allow rights to pollute if provider cannot afford to comply.

How Would You Vote? To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. Should the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act be strengthened? a. No. Rural people, small businesses and manufacturers can't afford more regulations. b. Yes. Strengthening the Act would protect the environment and the health of millions of people.

Is Bottled Water the Answer?
Some bottled water is not as pure as tap water and costs much more. 1.4 million metric tons of plastic bottles are thrown away. Fossil fuels are used to make plastic bottles. The oil used to produce plastic bottles in the U.S. each year would fuel 100,000 cars.

How Would You Vote? To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. Should pollution standards be established for bottled water? a. No. Competition within the free market and the media would better solve the problems. b. Yes. Too many bottled waters contain bacteria and other dangerous contaminants.

• Prevent groundwater contamination
Solutions Water Pollution • Prevent groundwater contamination • Reduce nonpoint runoff • Reuse treated wastewater for irrigation • Find substitutes for toxic pollutants • Work with nature to treat sewage • Practice four R's of resource use (refuse, reduce, recycle, reuse) Figure 21.18 Solutions: methods for preventing and reducing water pollution. QUESTION: Which two of these solutions do you think are the most important? • Reduce air pollution • Reduce poverty • Reduce birth rates Fig , p. 517

• Minimize your use of pesticides.
What Can You Do? Water Pollution • Fertilize garden and yard plants with manure or compost instead of commercial inorganic fertilizer. • Minimize your use of pesticides. • Do not apply fertilizer or pesticides near a body of water. • Grow or buy organic foods. • Do not drink bottled water unless tests show that your tap water is contaminated. Merely refill and reuse plastic bottles with tap water. Figure 21.19 Individuals matter: ways to help reduce water pollution. QUESTION: Which three of these actions do you think are the most important? • Compost your food wastes. • Do not use water fresheners in toilets. • Do not flush unwanted medicines down the toilet. • Do not pour pesticides, paints, solvents, oil, antifreeze, or other products containing harmful chemicals down the drain or onto the ground. Fig , p. 517

Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Chapter 22.1 Water Pollution."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback