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Friday, Mar 7 th , 2014. Did you know… The Golden "Poison Dart" frog in S. America is the most poisonous vertebrate in the world. The acceleration rate of a flea's jump is 20x that of a space shuttle’s launch. Do Now: Mar 7 th. Where are estuaries located?
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Friday, Mar 7th, 2014 • Did you know… • The Golden "Poison Dart" frog in S. America is the most poisonous vertebrate in the world. • The acceleration rate of a flea's jump is 20x that of a space shuttle’s launch.
Do Now: Mar 7th • Where are estuaries located? • Is point pollution or non-point pollution easier to clean up? Explain why you think that. • List 3 things that can pollute a water source.
Wastewater Treatment • Clean used water/sewage to safely return to environment • Mimic natural treatment processes in environment • 4 Steps:
Step 1: Preliminary/Primary Treatment • Removes 40-60% of solids • Rags, plastics, sand/small particles, etc.
Step 2: Secondary Treatment • Removes ~90% of pollutants • Helpful bacteria consume organic matter, then are removed from water
Step 3: Sludge Treatment • Sludge/biosolids are treated & disposed • If chemical-free, can be used as fertilizer
Step 4: Release Water • Restore oxygen: must have enough O2 to support life when returned to rivers/lakes • Release water into wetland, stream, field, etc. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubVabIVnNXk
Measuring Water Quality • Monitor orgs in water • Mayflies cannot tolerate pollution, leeches thrive • Measure dissolved oxygen (DO) • More DO = more life • Good fishing waters: 9+ ppm (parts per million) • Measure turbidity • Water cloudiness • Low turbidity = better quality water
Drinking Water Quality • National water standards est by EPA • ~ 5.6 million Americans drink water that doesn’t meet EPA standards • Public water: groundwater treated & pumped out • Well-tested = most safe • Private wells aren’t required to meet standards • 1 in 5 Americans drinks water from treatment plant that violated 1+ safety standard
Is Bottled Water the Answer? • Nope! • 1/3 bottled water contaminated w/ bacteria • IBWA (International Bottle Water Association) standards only • Less strict than EPA standards • Costs more • Plastic bottles: • 1.4 million metric tons thrown away • Fossil fuels used to make them (oil used in U.S. each year would fuel 100,000 cars)