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Water Pollution
Water Pollution: Types, Effects, and Sources
 What is water pollution?
 Major types of pollutants, sources and effects
 Point and nonpoint sources
 Is the water safe to drink?
Major Categories of Water Pollutants
 Infectious Agents
 Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Parasitic
Worms
 Source: Human and animal waste
 Oxygen-Demanding Waste
 Organic debris & waste + aerobic
bacteria
 Source: Sewage, feedlots, paper-mills,
food processing
 Inorganic Chemicals
 Acids, Metals, Salts
 Sources: Surface runoff, Industrial
effluent, household cleansers
 Radioactive Materials
 Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium, thorium
 Source: Coal & Nuclear Power plants,
mining, weapons production, natural
 Plant Nutrients
 Nitrates, Phosphates,
 Source: Sewage, manure, agricultural
and landscaping runoff
 Organic Chemicals
 Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, Pesticides,
Solvents, detergents
 Sources: Industrial effluent, Household
cleansers, runoff from farms and yards
 Eroded Sediment
 Soil, Silt
 Heat/Thermal Pollution
 Source: Power plants, Industrial
Clean Zone
Decomposition
Zone
Septic Zone
Recovery
Zone
Clean Zone
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)
Normal clean water organisms
(trout, perch, bass,
mayfly, stonefly)
8 ppm
Dissolved
oxygen
(ppm)
Biological
oxygen
demand
8 ppm
Types of
organisms
Pollution in Streams
Benefits of Floodplains
Highly productive wetlands
Provide natural flood and erosion control
Maintain high water quality
Recharge groundwater
Fertile soils
Nearby rivers for use and recreation
Flatlands for urbanization and farming
Dangers of Floodplains and Floods
Deadly and destructive
Human activities worsen floods
Failing dams and water diversion
Bangladesh
Before and During a Flood in St. Louis,
Missouri
Oxygen
released by
vegetation
Diverse
ecological
habitat
Evapotranspiration
Trees reduce soil
erosion from heavy
rain and wind
Agricultural
land
Steady
river flow
Leaf litter
improves
soil fertility
Tree roots stabilize soil
and aid water flow
Vegetation releases
water slowly and
reduces flooding
Forested Hillside
Flooding After Deforestation of a
Hillside
Tree plantation
Evapotranspiration decreases
Ranching accelerates soil
erosion by water and wind
Winds remove
fragile topsoil
Gullies and
landslides
Heavy rain leaches nutrients
from soil and erodes topsoil
Rapid runoff
causes flooding
After Deforestation
Roads
destabilize
hillsides
Agriculture land
is flooded and
silted up
Silt from erosion blocks rivers and
reservoirs and causes flooding downstream
Flooding After Deforestation of a
Hillside
Reducing Flood Risks
Channelization
Levees (floodwalls)
Dams
Protect and restore wetlands
Identify and manage flood-prone areas
Precautionary approach
Lake Pollution
 Dilution less effective than with streams
 Stratification in lakes and relatively little flow hinder rapid dilution of
pollutants
 Lakes more vulnerable to pollutants than streams
 How pollutants enter lakes
 Eutrophication: causes and effects
 Oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes
 Cultural eutrophication
 Preventing or removing eutrophication
Oligotrophic and Eutrophic Lakes
Groundwater Pollution: Causes and Persistence
 Sources of groundwater pollution
 Slow flowing: slow dilution and dispersion
 Consequences of lower dissolved oxygen
 Fewer bacteria to decompose wastes
 Cooler temperatures: slow down chemical reactions
 Degradable and nondegradable wastes in groundwater
Coal strip
mine runoff
Pumping
well
Waste lagoon
Accidental
spills
Groundwater
flow
Confined
aquifer
Discharge
Leakage
from faulty
casing
Hazardous
waste injection
well
Pesticides
and fertilizers
Gasoline station
Buried gasoline
and solvent tank
Sewer
Cesspool
septic tank
De-icing
road salt
Water
pumping well
Landfill
Polluted air
Groundwater Pollution
Extent of Groundwater Pollution
Not much is known about groundwater pollution
Organic contaminants, including fuel leaks
Arsenic
Protecting groundwater: Prevention is best
Pump nanoparticles of
inorganic compounds to
remove pollutants (may be the
cheapest, easiest, and most
effective method but is still
being developed)
Find substitutes for toxic
chemicals
Keep toxic chemicals out of the
environment
Install monitoring wells near
landfills and underground tanks
Require leak detectors on
underground tanks
Ban hazardous waste disposal
in landfills and injection wells
Inject microorganisms to clean
up contamination (less
expensive but still costly)
Store harmful liquids in
aboveground tanks with leak
detection and collection systems
Prevention Cleanup
Pump to surface, clean,
and return to aquifer
(very expensive)
Solutions
Groundwater Pollution
Preventing and Cleaning Up Pollution in
Groundwater
Ocean Pollution
 How much pollution can oceans tolerate?
 Some pollutants degrade and dilute in oceans
 Ocean dumping controversies
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; sewage
adds nitrogen and
phosphorus.
Urban sprawl
Bacteria and viruses from sewers
and septic tanks contaminate
shellfish beds and close beaches;
runoff of fertilization from lawns
adds nitrogen and phosphorus.
Construction sites
Sediments are washed into waterways,
choking fish and plants, clouding
waters, and blocking sunlight.
Farms
Run off of pesticides, manure,
and fertilizers adds toxins and
excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
Red tides
Excess nitrogen causes
explosive growth of toxic
microscopic algae, poisoning
fish and marine mammals.
Healthy zone
Clear, oxygen-rich waters
promote growth of plankton
and sea grasses, and support fish.
Toxic sediments
Chemicals and toxic metals
contaminate shellfish beds,
kill spawning fish, and
accumulate in the tissues
of bottom feeders.
Closed
shellfish beds
Closed
beach Oxygen-depleted
zone
Coastal Water Pollution
Oxygen-depleted zone
Sedimentation and algae overgrowth reduce sunlight,
kill beneficial sea grasses, use up oxygen, and
degrade habitat.
Mississippi
River Basin
Missouri
River
Ohio
River
Mississippi
River
LOUISIANA
Mississippi
River
Depleted Oxygen
Gulf of Mexico
Oxygen-depleted Water in the
Gulf of Mexico
Chesapeake Bay
 Largest US estuary
 Pollution sink
 Oxygen depletion
 Chesapeake Bay
Program
Effects of Oil on Ocean Life
Crude and refined petroleum
Tanker accidents and blowouts
Exxon Valdez
Volatile hydrocarbons kill larvae
Tar-like globs coat birds and
marine mammals
Oil destroys insulation and
buoyancy
Heavy oil sinks and kills bottom
organisms
Coral reefs die
Slow recovery
Oil slicks ruin beaches
Limited effectiveness of clean up
methods
Prevention Cleanup
Ban dumping of wastes and
sewage by maritime and cruise
ships in coastal waters
Reduce input of toxic pollutants
Separate sewage and
storm lines
Regulate coastal
development
Recycle used oil
Require double hulls for oil tankers
Require at least secondary
treatment of coastal sewage
Use wetlands, solar-aquatic, or
other methods to treat sewage
Sprinkle nanoparticles over an
oil or sewage spill to dissolve
the oil or sewage without
creating harmful byproducts
(still under development)
Protect sensitive areas from
development, oil drilling, and oil
shipping
Ban ocean dumping of sludge and
hazardous dredged material
Improve oil-spill cleanup
capabilities
Solutions
Coastal Water Pollution
Preventing and Cleaning Up Pollution in
Coastal Waters
Preventing Nonpoint Source Pollution
 Mostly agricultural wastes
 Use vegetation to reduce soil erosion
 Reduce fertilizer use
 Use plant buffer zones around fields
 Integrated pest management: Only use pesticides when necessary
 Use plant buffers around animal feedlots
 Keep feedlots away from slopes, surface water and flood zones
Laws for Reducing Point Source Pollution
 Clean Water Act
 Water Quality Act
Sewage Treatment Systems
 Sewage treatment in rural and suburban areas
 Septic tanks
 Primary (physical) sewage treatment
 Secondary (biological) sewage treatment
 Urban sewage treatment (Clean Water Act)
 Sewage treatment facilities in many cities fail to meet federal standards
 Bleaching and disinfection
 Disinfectants: chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation
Typical Septic Tank System
Household
wastewater
Perforated pipe
Distribution box
(optional)
Septic tank with manhole
(for cleanout)
Drain
field
Vent pipe
Nonperforated pipe
Gravel or
crushed
stone
Primary and Secondary Sewage Treatment
Raw sewage
from sewers
Bar screen Grit chamber Settling tank Aeration tank Settling tank
Chlorine
disinfection tank
Sludge
Sludge
digester
Activated sludge
Air pump
(kills
bacteria)
To river,
lake,
or ocean
Sludge drying bed
Disposed of
in landfill or
ocean or
applied to
cropland,
pasture, or
rangeland
Primary Secondary
Improving Sewage Treatment
 Systems that exclude hazardous wastes
 Non-hazardous substitutes
 Composting toilet systems
 Working with nature to treat sewage
 Using wetlands to treat sewage
Ecological
Wastewater
Treatment
Burlington, VT
University of Vermont
Should the Clean Water Act be
Strengthened?
Yes: environmentalists No: farmers, libertarians,
manufacturers, and
developers
State and local officials want more discretion
Drinking Water Quality
 Purification of urban drinking water
 Purification of drinking water in developing
countries
 Bottled water
Solutions
Water Pollution
Prevent groundwater contamination
Greatly 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)
Reduce resource waste
Reduce air pollution
Reduce poverty
Reduce birth rates
What Can You Do?
Water Pollution
 Fertilize your garden and yard plants
with manure or compost instead of
commercial inorganic fertilizer.
 Minimize your use of pesticides.
 Never apply fertilizer or pesticides near
a body of water.
 Grow or buy organic foods.
 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.

More Related Content

water_poll.pptx

  • 3. Water Pollution: Types, Effects, and Sources What is water pollution? Major types of pollutants, sources and effects Point and nonpoint sources Is the water safe to drink?
  • 4. Major Categories of Water Pollutants Infectious Agents Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Parasitic Worms Source: Human and animal waste Oxygen-Demanding Waste Organic debris & waste + aerobic bacteria Source: Sewage, feedlots, paper-mills, food processing Inorganic Chemicals Acids, Metals, Salts Sources: Surface runoff, Industrial effluent, household cleansers Radioactive Materials Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium, thorium Source: Coal & Nuclear Power plants, mining, weapons production, natural Plant Nutrients Nitrates, Phosphates, Source: Sewage, manure, agricultural and landscaping runoff Organic Chemicals Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, Pesticides, Solvents, detergents Sources: Industrial effluent, Household cleansers, runoff from farms and yards Eroded Sediment Soil, Silt Heat/Thermal Pollution Source: Power plants, Industrial
  • 5. Clean Zone Decomposition Zone Septic Zone Recovery Zone Clean Zone 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) Normal clean water organisms (trout, perch, bass, mayfly, stonefly) 8 ppm Dissolved oxygen (ppm) Biological oxygen demand 8 ppm Types of organisms Pollution in Streams
  • 6. Benefits of Floodplains Highly productive wetlands Provide natural flood and erosion control Maintain high water quality Recharge groundwater Fertile soils Nearby rivers for use and recreation Flatlands for urbanization and farming
  • 7. Dangers of Floodplains and Floods Deadly and destructive Human activities worsen floods Failing dams and water diversion Bangladesh
  • 8. Before and During a Flood in St. Louis, Missouri
  • 9. Oxygen released by vegetation Diverse ecological habitat Evapotranspiration Trees reduce soil erosion from heavy rain and wind Agricultural land Steady river flow Leaf litter improves soil fertility Tree roots stabilize soil and aid water flow Vegetation releases water slowly and reduces flooding Forested Hillside Flooding After Deforestation of a Hillside
  • 10. Tree plantation Evapotranspiration decreases Ranching accelerates soil erosion by water and wind Winds remove fragile topsoil Gullies and landslides Heavy rain leaches nutrients from soil and erodes topsoil Rapid runoff causes flooding After Deforestation Roads destabilize hillsides Agriculture land is flooded and silted up Silt from erosion blocks rivers and reservoirs and causes flooding downstream Flooding After Deforestation of a Hillside
  • 11. Reducing Flood Risks Channelization Levees (floodwalls) Dams Protect and restore wetlands Identify and manage flood-prone areas Precautionary approach
  • 12. Lake Pollution Dilution less effective than with streams Stratification in lakes and relatively little flow hinder rapid dilution of pollutants Lakes more vulnerable to pollutants than streams How pollutants enter lakes Eutrophication: causes and effects Oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes Cultural eutrophication Preventing or removing eutrophication
  • 14. Groundwater Pollution: Causes and Persistence Sources of groundwater pollution Slow flowing: slow dilution and dispersion Consequences of lower dissolved oxygen Fewer bacteria to decompose wastes Cooler temperatures: slow down chemical reactions Degradable and nondegradable wastes in groundwater
  • 15. Coal strip mine runoff Pumping well Waste lagoon Accidental spills Groundwater flow Confined aquifer Discharge Leakage from faulty casing Hazardous waste injection well Pesticides and fertilizers Gasoline station Buried gasoline and solvent tank Sewer Cesspool septic tank De-icing road salt Water pumping well Landfill Polluted air Groundwater Pollution
  • 16. Extent of Groundwater Pollution Not much is known about groundwater pollution Organic contaminants, including fuel leaks Arsenic Protecting groundwater: Prevention is best
  • 17. Pump nanoparticles of inorganic compounds to remove pollutants (may be the cheapest, easiest, and most effective method but is still being developed) Find substitutes for toxic chemicals Keep toxic chemicals out of the environment Install monitoring wells near landfills and underground tanks Require leak detectors on underground tanks Ban hazardous waste disposal in landfills and injection wells Inject microorganisms to clean up contamination (less expensive but still costly) Store harmful liquids in aboveground tanks with leak detection and collection systems Prevention Cleanup Pump to surface, clean, and return to aquifer (very expensive) Solutions Groundwater Pollution Preventing and Cleaning Up Pollution in Groundwater
  • 18. Ocean Pollution How much pollution can oceans tolerate? Some pollutants degrade and dilute in oceans Ocean dumping controversies
  • 19. 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; sewage adds nitrogen and phosphorus. Urban sprawl Bacteria and viruses from sewers and septic tanks contaminate shellfish beds and close beaches; runoff of fertilization from lawns adds nitrogen and phosphorus. Construction sites Sediments are washed into waterways, choking fish and plants, clouding waters, and blocking sunlight. Farms Run off of pesticides, manure, and fertilizers adds toxins and excess nitrogen and phosphorus. Red tides Excess nitrogen causes explosive growth of toxic microscopic algae, poisoning fish and marine mammals. Healthy zone Clear, oxygen-rich waters promote growth of plankton and sea grasses, and support fish. Toxic sediments Chemicals and toxic metals contaminate shellfish beds, kill spawning fish, and accumulate in the tissues of bottom feeders. Closed shellfish beds Closed beach Oxygen-depleted zone Coastal Water Pollution Oxygen-depleted zone Sedimentation and algae overgrowth reduce sunlight, kill beneficial sea grasses, use up oxygen, and degrade habitat.
  • 21. Chesapeake Bay Largest US estuary Pollution sink Oxygen depletion Chesapeake Bay Program
  • 22. Effects of Oil on Ocean Life Crude and refined petroleum Tanker accidents and blowouts Exxon Valdez Volatile hydrocarbons kill larvae Tar-like globs coat birds and marine mammals Oil destroys insulation and buoyancy Heavy oil sinks and kills bottom organisms Coral reefs die Slow recovery Oil slicks ruin beaches Limited effectiveness of clean up methods
  • 23. Prevention Cleanup Ban dumping of wastes and sewage by maritime and cruise ships in coastal waters Reduce input of toxic pollutants Separate sewage and storm lines Regulate coastal development Recycle used oil Require double hulls for oil tankers Require at least secondary treatment of coastal sewage Use wetlands, solar-aquatic, or other methods to treat sewage Sprinkle nanoparticles over an oil or sewage spill to dissolve the oil or sewage without creating harmful byproducts (still under development) Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil shipping Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material Improve oil-spill cleanup capabilities Solutions Coastal Water Pollution Preventing and Cleaning Up Pollution in Coastal Waters
  • 24. Preventing Nonpoint Source Pollution Mostly agricultural wastes Use vegetation to reduce soil erosion Reduce fertilizer use Use plant buffer zones around fields Integrated pest management: Only use pesticides when necessary Use plant buffers around animal feedlots Keep feedlots away from slopes, surface water and flood zones
  • 25. Laws for Reducing Point Source Pollution Clean Water Act Water Quality Act
  • 26. Sewage Treatment Systems Sewage treatment in rural and suburban areas Septic tanks Primary (physical) sewage treatment Secondary (biological) sewage treatment Urban sewage treatment (Clean Water Act) Sewage treatment facilities in many cities fail to meet federal standards Bleaching and disinfection Disinfectants: chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet radiation
  • 27. Typical Septic Tank System Household wastewater Perforated pipe Distribution box (optional) Septic tank with manhole (for cleanout) Drain field Vent pipe Nonperforated pipe Gravel or crushed stone
  • 28. Primary and Secondary Sewage Treatment Raw sewage from sewers Bar screen Grit chamber Settling tank Aeration tank Settling tank Chlorine disinfection tank Sludge Sludge digester Activated sludge Air pump (kills bacteria) To river, lake, or ocean Sludge drying bed Disposed of in landfill or ocean or applied to cropland, pasture, or rangeland Primary Secondary
  • 29. Improving Sewage Treatment Systems that exclude hazardous wastes Non-hazardous substitutes Composting toilet systems Working with nature to treat sewage Using wetlands to treat sewage
  • 31. Should the Clean Water Act be Strengthened? Yes: environmentalists No: farmers, libertarians, manufacturers, and developers State and local officials want more discretion
  • 32. Drinking Water Quality Purification of urban drinking water Purification of drinking water in developing countries Bottled water
  • 33. Solutions Water Pollution Prevent groundwater contamination Greatly 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) Reduce resource waste Reduce air pollution Reduce poverty Reduce birth rates What Can You Do? Water Pollution Fertilize your garden and yard plants with manure or compost instead of commercial inorganic fertilizer. Minimize your use of pesticides. Never apply fertilizer or pesticides near a body of water. Grow or buy organic foods. 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.