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Water Pollution

Water Pollution. G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13 th Edition Chapter 19. Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Key Concepts. Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants. Major pollution problems of surface water.

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Water Pollution

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  1. Water Pollution G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13th Edition Chapter 19 Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College

  2. Key Concepts • Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants • Major pollution problems of surface water • Major pollution problems of groundwater • Reduction and prevention of water pollution • Drinking water quality

  3. Types and Sources of Water Pollution Fig. 19-3 p. 485 • Point sources Refer to Tables 19-1 and 19-2 p. 484 and 485 • Nonpoint sources • Biological oxygen demand • Water quality

  4. Point and Nonpoint Sources NONPOINT SOURCES Rural homes Cropland Urban streets Animal feedlot POINT SOURCES Suburban development Factory Wastewater treatment plant Fig. 19-4 p. 486

  5. Pollution of Streams • Oxygen sag curve • Factors influencing recovery Fig. 19-5 p. 488

  6. Impacts of Hog Farms in NC Key Actors and Organizations Smithfield: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters NC Cleanup: http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=68 Study after Hurricane Floyd: http://www.rwjf.org/reports/grr/038787.htm

  7. Key Actors and Organizations

  8. Pollution of Lakes Fig. 19-7 p. 491 • Eutrophication • Slow turnover • Thermal stratification

  9. Eutrophication • Excess nutrients in the water cause explosive plant growth • When many plants die, they produce a toxin (red algae) • Decaying plants also reduce the amount of oxygen in the water • Plant growth (like algae) can suffocate other life in a lake or pond.

  10. Gulf of Mexico

  11. Case Study: The Great Lakes Fig. 19-8 p. 492

  12. Effects of Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution on Early Fish Development

  13. My Research • Purpose: To determine if agricultural non-point source pollution was the cause for a decline in fish populations immediately near farms. • Research: Fish embryo development is a very sensitive test and was a good match • Hypothesis: Excess nutrients (nitrates/phosphates) in runoff would delay/stop development

  14. Continued • Experiment: • Take samples from streams near farms • Test what nutrients, chemicals, bacteria were present • Test samples on fish embryos • Observe changes in development. • Analyze Data: • Compared development with normal (control) group. • Discovered that high levels of nitrates found in runoff from farms, decreases the number of embryos that successfully make it to adult-hood. • Conclusion: • Need for better prevention of runoff on farms, or reduction in the application of nitrates to crops to improve fish populations.

  15. Groundwater Pollution: Sources • Cold temperatures • Low flow rates • Few bacteria Hazardous waste injection well Pesticides Coal strip mine runoff De-icing road salt Buried gasoline and solvent tank Cesspool septic tank Pumping well Gasoline station Waste lagoon Water pumping well Sewer Landfill Leakage from faulty casing Accidental spills Discharge Unconfined freshwater aquifer Confined aquifer Fig. 19-10 p. 494 Confined freshwater aquifer Groundwater flow

  16. Groundwater Pollution Prevention • Monitoring aquifers • Leak detection systems • Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal • Storing hazardous materials above ground

  17. Ocean Pollution Fig. 19-12 p. 498

  18. Case Study: Chesapeake Bay Fig. 19-14 p. 500 • Largest US estuary • Relatively shallow • Slow “flushing” action to Atlantic • Major problems with dissolved O2

  19. Oil Spills • Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and storage tanks • Effects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smothering • Significant economic impacts • Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blotters • Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents

  20. Solutions: Preventing and Reducing Surface Water Pollution Nonpoint Sources Point Sources • Reduce runoff • Clean Water Act • Buffer zone vegetation • Water Quality Act • Reduce soil erosion

  21. Technological Approach: Septic Systems • Require suitable soils and maintenance Fig. 19-16 p. 504

  22. Technological Approach: Sewage Treatment • Mechanical and biological treatment Fig. 19-17p. 504

  23. Technological Approach: Advanced Sewage Treatment • Removes specific pollutants Fig. 19-18p. 505

  24. Technological Approach: Using Wetlands to Treat Sewage Fig. 19-19p. 506

  25. Drinking Water Quality Fig. 19-11 p. 495 • Bottled water • Safe Drinking Water Act • Maximum contaminant levels

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