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Water Pollution

Water Pollution. Types of Pollutants. Microorganisms Cryptosporidium Giardia Fecal coliform bacteria. Types of Pollutants. Disinfectants Chlorine Bromate Chlorite Inorganic chemicals Arsenic, cadmium, lead mercury. Types of Pollutants. Organic chemicals Benzene Dioxin

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Water Pollution

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  1. Water Pollution

  2. Types of Pollutants Microorganisms • Cryptosporidium • Giardia • Fecal coliform bacteria

  3. Types of Pollutants Disinfectants • Chlorine • Bromate • Chlorite Inorganic chemicals • Arsenic, cadmium, lead mercury

  4. Types of Pollutants Organic chemicals • Benzene • Dioxin • Vinyl chloride Radionuclides • Uranium and radium

  5. Sources of Pollutants Human and animal waste (microorganisms) Naturally occurring in geologic deposits (As, U) Human activities– industry, mining, agriculture deliver many inorganic and most organic pollution Sediments from erosion and activities such as excavation & construction

  6. Pollution Interaction with Water Dissolved chemicals can be toxic or carcinogenic Non-aqueous phased liquids (NAPLs) form a separate phase that does not mix with water • Include gasoline, chlorinated hydrocarbons • Difficult to remove, slowly dissolve

  7. Pollutant Interaction with Water Soluble pollutants enter ground water , flow as plumes • Concentrations fall as plumes spread, large area affected • Some contaminants bind to soil (sorption) • Sorption may prevent migration of contaminants; contaminants stick around even if contaminated plume is pumped out

  8. Water Pollution Control Easier to control if it comes from a point source Approaches include: • Improving stormwater mgt systems • Regulating land use • Limiting broad app of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer • Restoring wetlands

  9. Water Pollution Control Coastal areas and estuaries are impacted by pollution and sedimentation • Ocean pollution kills fish, wildlife • Damages ecosystems • Human illness • Economic damage

  10. Water Pollution Control 2000 National Research Council cited nutrient pollution as one of the most important ocean pollution problems • Stimulates plankton to increase photosynthesis (blooms) • When excess plankton die and sink, O2 is used up • Leads to hypoxic (dead) zones

  11. Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone

  12. Treatments for Human and Animal Wastewater Septic systems- a large container that receives wastewater from the house.

  13. Treatments for Human and Animal Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plants- centralized plants in areas with large populations that receive wastewater via a network of underground pipes.

  14. Water-related disease

  15. Some Statistics More than 2 million people die each year (cholera, typhoid, dysentery) 1993 – cryptosporidium in Milwaukee killed 110, sickened 400,000 After the outbreak, federal regulators increased testing requirements for turbidity

  16. Waterborne Diseases • Includes cholera, typhoid, dysentery • Drinking water contains viruses/bacteria • Often from human or animal waste

  17. Water-washed Diseases • Includes skin and eye infections • Lack of clean water for washing

  18. Water-based Diseases • Such as schistosomiasis • Spread by organisms that develop in water that become human parasites • Spread by water and insufficiently cooked food

  19. Water-related Insect Vectors • Mosquitoes are the main meanies! • Diseases include dengue fever and malaria • Not directly related to water supply or quality

  20. Water-Related Diseases • 1 billion people lack safe drinking water • The spectrum of disease is altering and the incidence of many water-related microbial diseases is increasing • Urbanization & dam construction can spread water related disease • Global climate change is also a factor

  21. Major Laws and treaties

  22. Clean Water Act of 1972 • Focuses on point sources • Sources obtain permits for discharges into navigable waters • Federal aid to sewage treatment • Protection for wetlands has been an issue (developers)

  23. Safe Drinking Water Act • Regulates contaminants in public water supplies • Sets mandatory limits on 90 contaminants • Recommends voluntary standards for other substances that alter water quality

  24. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) • Creates a comprehensive framework for nations’ use of oceans • Outlines rights and responsibilities • Including pollution control, research resource management

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