Water Pollution
Water Pollution
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Earth Science Review TIME!!!
Earth Science Review TIME!!!
You should know your water cycle.
You should know your water cycle.
Earth Science Review TIME!!!
Earth Science Review TIME!!!
You should know your watersheds.
You should know your watersheds.
Water, Air, Land ….
Water, Air, Land ….
The solution topollution isdilution.
Key Concepts
Key Concepts
Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants
Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants
Major pollution problems of surface water
Major pollution problems of surface water
Major pollution problems of groundwater
Major pollution problems of groundwater
Reduction and prevention of water pollution
Reduction and prevention of water pollution
Drinking water quality
Drinking water quality
Watermakesusuniqueandgiveslife toEarth.
Key Ideas
Key Ideas
What are major types and effects of waterpollution?
How do we measure water quality?
Point versus Nonpoint sources
What are the major sources of pollution?
What is water pollution?
What is water pollution?
Any chemical,biological, or physicalchange in water qualitythat has a harmfuleffect on livingorganisms or makeswater unsuitable fordesired usage.
What is water pollution?
What is water pollution?
WHO:
3.4 million prematuredeaths each year fromwaterborne diseases.
1.9 million fromdysentery (diarrhea).
U.S. 1.5 millionillnesses.
1993 Milwaukee370,000 sick.
WHO:
3.4 million prematuredeaths each year fromwaterborne diseases.
1.9 million fromdysentery (diarrhea).
U.S. 1.5 millionillnesses.
1993 Milwaukee370,000 sick.
What is water pollution?
What is water pollution?
Infectious Agents: bacteria and viruses oftenfrom animal wastes.
Oxygen Demanding Wastes: organic wastethat needs oxygen often from animal waste,paper mills and food processing.
Inorganic Chemicals: Acids and toxicchemicals often from runoff, industries andhousehold cleaners.
What is water pollution?
What is water pollution?
Organic Chemicals: Petroleum, gasoline,plastics, detergents often from surface runoff,industries and cleaners.
Plant Nutrients: Water soluble nitrates,ammonia and phosphates often from sewage,agriculture and urban fertilizers.
Sediment: Soils and silts from land erosion candisrupt photosynthesis, destroy spawninggrounds, clog rivers and streams.
Heat Pollution and Radioactivity: Mostly frompower plants.
Bacterial Counts: Fecalcoliform counts fromintestines of animals.
None per 100 ml fordrinking.
>200 per 100 ml forswimming.
Sources: human sewage,animals, birds, raccoons, etc.
How do we measure water quality?
How do we measure water quality?
How do we measure water quality?
How do we measure water quality?
Dissolved Oxygen:BOD (BiologicalOxygen Demand)…theamount of oxygenconsumed by aquaticdecomposers.
Chemical Analysis:Looking for presence ofinorganic or organicchemicals.
Dissolved Oxygen:BOD (BiologicalOxygen Demand)…theamount of oxygenconsumed by aquaticdecomposers.
Chemical Analysis:Looking for presence ofinorganic or organicchemicals.
Suspended Sediment:Water clarity
Indicator Species:Organisms that give anidea of the health of thewater body.
Mussels, oysters andclams filter water.
How do we measure water quality?
How do we measure water quality?
Types, Effects and Sources ofWater Pollution
Types, Effects and Sources ofWater Pollution
Point sources
Point sources
Nonpoint sources
Nonpoint sources
Water quality
Water quality
Point and Nonpoint Sources
Point and Nonpoint Sources
NONPOINT SOURCES
Urban streets
Suburbandevelopment
Wastewatertreatmentplant
Rural homes
Cropland
Factory
Animal feedlot
POINTSOURCES
Fig. 22-4 p. 494
Major Sources of Water Pollution
Major Sources of Water Pollution
Agriculture: By far theleader.
Sediment,
Fertilizers,
Bacteria fromlivestock,
Food processing,
Salt from soilirrigation.
Agriculture: By far theleader.
Sediment,
Fertilizers,
Bacteria fromlivestock,
Food processing,
Salt from soilirrigation.
Industrial: Factories
and power plants.
Mining: Surfacemining toxics,acids, sediment.
Major Sources of Water Pollution
Key Ideas
Key Ideas
Freshwater pollution: Whatare major problems instreams?
Developed versus DevelopingCountries.
Lake Pollution: Why arelakes and reservoirs morevulnerable?
What is Eutrophication?
(You should remember this)
Freshwater Stream Pollution
Freshwater Stream Pollution
Flowing streams can recover frommoderate level of degradablewater pollution if their flowsare not reduced.
Natural biodegradationprocess.
Does not work ifoverloaded or stream flowreduced.
Does not work against nonbiodegradable pollutants.
Pollution of Streams
Pollution of Streams
Oxygen sag curve
Oxygen sag curve
Factors influencing recovery
Factors influencing recovery
Fig. 22-5 p. 496
What factors will influence this oxygen sag curve?
Two Worlds
Two Worlds
Developed Countries
U.S. and other developedcountries sharply reducedpoint sources even withpopulation and economicgrowth.
Nonpoint still a problem.
Toxic chemicals stillproblem.
Success stories CuyahogaRiver (Cleveland),Thames River.
1969
Present
Two Worlds
Two Worlds
Developing Countries:
Serious and growingproblem
Half of world’s 500 majorrivers heavily polluted.
Sewage treatmentminimal $$$.
Law enforcement difficult
10% of sewage in Chinatreated.
Economic growth withlittle $$$ to clean up.
Developing Countries:
Serious and growingproblem
Half of world’s 500 majorrivers heavily polluted.
Sewage treatmentminimal $$$.
Law enforcement difficult
10% of sewage in Chinatreated.
Economic growth withlittle $$$ to clean up.
India’s Ganges River
India’s Ganges River
Holy River (1 million takedaily holy dip).
350 million (1/3rd of pop)live in watershed.
Little sewage treatment.
Used for bathing, drinkingetc…
Bodies (cremated or not)thrown in river.
Good news is the Indiangovernment is beginningto work on problem.
Freshwater Lake Pollution
Freshwater Lake Pollution
Dilution as a solution in lakesless effective
Little vertical mixing.
Little water flow (flushing).
Makes them more vulnerable
Toxins settle.
Kill bottom life.
Atmospheric deposition.
Food chain disruptions.
Biomagnificationsof PCBs in anaquatic foodchain from theGreat Lakes.
See figure 22-6 onpage 498
Eutrophication of Lakes
Eutrophication of Lakes
Eutrophication: Nutrientenrichment of lakes,mostly from runoff ofplant nutrients (nitratesand phosphates).
During hot dry weathercan lead to algae blooms.
Decrease ofphotosynthesis.
Dying algae then dropsDO levels.
Fish kills, bad odor.
Eutrophication: Nutrientenrichment of lakes,mostly from runoff ofplant nutrients (nitratesand phosphates).
During hot dry weathercan lead to algae blooms.
Decrease ofphotosynthesis.
Dying algae then dropsDO levels.
Fish kills, bad odor.
Pollution of Lakes:
Pollution of Lakes:
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Fig. 22-7 p. 499
Eutrophication in Lakes
Eutrophication in Lakes
Solutions:
Advanced sewagetreatment (N, P)
Household detergents
Soil conservation
Remove excess weedbuild up
Pump in oxygen orfreshwater
Case Study: The Great Lakes
Case Study: The Great Lakes
Pollution levelsdropped, butlong way to go.
95% of U.S.freshwater.
30% Canadianpop, 14% U.S.
38 milliondrink.
1% flow outSt. Lawrence.
Toxic fish.
Groundwater
Groundwater
Why is groundwaterpollution a seriousproblem?
What is the extentof the problem?
What are thesolutions?
Groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater can becomecontaminated because:
No way to cleanseitself.
Little dilution anddispersion .
Out of sight pollution.
Prime source forirrigation and drinking.
REMOVAL ofpollutant difficult.
Groundwater Pollution: Causes
Groundwater Pollution: Causes
Low flow rates
Low flow rates
Few bacteria
Few bacteria
Cold temperatures
Cold temperatures
Coal stripmine runoff
Pumpingwell
Waste lagoon
Accidentalspills
Groundwaterflow
Confined aquifer
Discharge
Leakage from faultycasing
Hazardous waste injection well
Pesticides
Gasolinestation
Buried gasolineand solvent tank
Sewer
Cesspoolseptic tank
De-icingroad salt
Unconfined freshwater aquifer
Confined freshwater aquifer
Water pumpingwell
Landfill
Low oxygen
Low oxygen
Fig. 22-9 p. 502
Groundwater Pollution Prevention
Groundwater Pollution Prevention
Monitor aquifers
Monitor aquifers
Leak detection systems
Leak detection systems
Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal
Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal
Store hazardous materials above ground
Store hazardous materials above ground
Find less hazardous substitutes
Find less hazardous substitutes
Ocean Pollution
Ocean Pollution
How much pollution can the oceans tolerate?
Coastal zones: How does pollution affectcoastal zones?
What are major sources of ocean pollution andwhat is being done?
Oils spills
Ocean Pollution
Ocean Pollution
Oceans can disperse andbreak down largequantities of degradablepollution if they are notoverloaded.
Pollution worst near heavilypopulated coastal zones.
Wetlands, estuaries, coralreefs, mangrove swamps.
40% of world’s pop. Livewithin 62 miles of coast.
Ocean Pollution
Ocean Pollution
Large amounts of untreatedraw sewage (viruses)
Leaking septic tanks
Runoff
Algae blooms fromnutrients
Dead zones No DO
Airborne toxins
Oil spills
Large amounts of untreatedraw sewage (viruses)
Leaking septic tanks
Runoff
Algae blooms fromnutrients
Dead zones No DO
Airborne toxins
Oil spills
Case Study: Chesapeake Bay
Case Study: Chesapeake Bay
Largest USestuary
Largest USestuary
Relatively shallow
Relatively shallow
Slow “flushing”action to Atlantic
Slow “flushing”action to Atlantic
Major problems with dissolved O2
Major problems with dissolved O2
Fig. 22-13 p. 506
Preventing andreducing theflow ofpollution fromland and fromstreamsemptying intothe ocean iskey toprotectingoceans
Oil Spills
Oil Spills
Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines andstorage tanks.
Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines andstorage tanks.
Effects: death of organisms, loss of animalinsulation and buoyancy, smothering.
Effects: death of organisms, loss of animalinsulation and buoyancy, smothering.
Significant economic impacts.
Significant economic impacts.
Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers andblotters.
Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers andblotters.
Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants anddispersing agents.
Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants anddispersing agents.
Oil Spills: Prince William Sound, Alaska,on March 24, 1989
Oil Spills: Prince William Sound, Alaska,on March 24, 1989
Oil Spills: Prince William Sound, Alaska,on March 24, 1989.
Oil Spills: Prince William Sound, Alaska,on March 24, 1989.
11 to38 million USgallons
Oil Spills: Deepwater Horizon oil spill20 April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oil Spills: Deepwater Horizon oil spill20 April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico.
4.9 million barrels (210 million US gallons)
Prevention and Reduction
Prevention and Reduction
How can we reduce surface water pollution:point and also nonpoint.
How do sewage treatment plants work?
How successful has the U.S. been at reducingwater pollution? Clean Water Act?
Solutions: Preventing and ReducingSurface Water Pollution
Solutions: Preventing and ReducingSurface Water Pollution
Nonpoint Sources
Nonpoint Sources
Point Sources
Point Sources
Reduce runoff
Reduce runoff
Buffer zonevegetation
Buffer zonevegetation
Reduce soil erosion.
Reduce soil erosion.
Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
Water Quality Act
Water Quality Act
Only apply pesticides and fertilizers as needed.
Only apply pesticides and fertilizers as needed.
Nonpoint Sources
Nonpoint Sources
Reduce runoff
Nonpoint Sources
Nonpoint Sources
Buffer Zones NearStreams
Nonpoint
Nonpoint
Prevent soil erosion and only applyneeded pesticides and fertilizers.
Point Sources
Point Sources
Most developed countriesuse laws to set waterpollution standards.
Federal Water PollutionControl Act (CleanWater Act 1972, ’77,’87)
Regulates navigablewaterways, streams,wetlands, rivers, lakes.
Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
Sets standards for keypollutants
Requires permits fordischarge
Requires sewage treatment
Require permits forwetland destruction
Does not deal withnonpoint sources well
Goal All Waterwaysfishable and swimmable
Technological Approach: SepticSystems
Technological Approach: SepticSystems
Require suitable soils and maintenance
Require suitable soils and maintenance
Fig. 22-15 p. 510
¼ of all U.S.homes have Septictanks. (Minedoes!)
Can be used inparking lots,business parks,etc.
Combined seweroverflow is aproblem in manyolder towns
EPA: 1.8 M to3.85 M sick fromswimming inwatercontaminated bysewer overflows
EPA: $100 billionto fix
Technological Approach:Sewage Treatment
Technological Approach:Sewage Treatment
Physical and biological treatment
Physical and biological treatment
Fig. 22-16 p. 511
Primary: Removes 60% ofsolids and 30-40% O2demanding wastes(physically).
Secondary: Uses biologicalprocesses to remove up to90% of biodegradables.
Tertiary: Advancedtechniques only used in 5%of U.S. $$$$.
Disinfection: Chlorine, O3(ozone) , UV.
What is not taken out???
Technological Approach: Advanced(Tertiary) Sewage Treatment
Technological Approach: Advanced(Tertiary) Sewage Treatment
Uses physical and chemical processes
Uses physical and chemical processes
Removes nitrate and phosphate
Removes nitrate and phosphate
Expensive
Expensive
Not widely used
Not widely used
Sludge disposal…using as fertilizer
Technological Approach: UsingWetlands to Treat Sewage
Technological Approach: UsingWetlands to Treat Sewage
Fig. 22-18 p. 513
The Good News
The Good News
Largely thanks to CWA:
Between 1972 – 2002fishable and swimmablestreams 36% to 60%.
74% served by sewagetreatment.
Wetlands loss droppedby 80%.
Topsoil losses droppedby 1 billion tonsannually.
Largely thanks to CWA:
Between 1972 – 2002fishable and swimmablestreams 36% to 60%.
74% served by sewagetreatment.
Wetlands loss droppedby 80%.
Topsoil losses droppedby 1 billion tonsannually.
The Bad News
The Bad News
45% of Lakes,40% streams stillnot fishable orswimmable.
Nonpoint sourcesstill huge problem.
Livestock andAgriculturalrunoff.
Fish with toxins.
Huge die-offs.
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
How is drinking water purified? High techway.
How can we purify drinking water indeveloping nations?
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act?
Is bottled water a good answer or an expensiverip-off?
Drinking Water Quality
Drinking Water Quality
Safe Drinking Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs)
Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs)
Purification of urban drinking water
Purification of urban drinking water
Bottled water
Bottled water
Protection from terrorism
Protection from terrorism
Purification of rural drinking water
Purification of rural drinking water
Purification of urban drinking water
Purification of urban drinking water
Surface Water: (likeDelaware River)
Removed to reservoir toimprove clarity.
Pumped to a treatmentplant to meet drinkingwater standards.
Groundwater: Often doesnot need muchtreatment.
Aquifers = natural filter.
Purification of rural drinkingwater
Purification of rural drinkingwater
There can be simple waysto purify water:
Exposing to heat(boiling) and UV rays.
Fine cloths to filterwater.
Add small amounts ofchlorine.
There can be simple waysto purify water:
Exposing to heat(boiling) and UV rays.
Fine cloths to filterwater.
Add small amounts ofchlorine.
Safe Drinking Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
54 countries havedrinking water laws.
SDWA passed 1974requires EPA to setdrinking waterstandards.
MaximumContaminating Levels(MCLs).
Safe Drinking Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Privately owned wellsexempt from SDWA.
SDWA requires publicnotification of failing tomeet standards and fine.
MCLs often stated inparts per million orparts per billion.
Privately owned wellsexempt from SDWA.
SDWA requires publicnotification of failing tomeet standards and fine.
MCLs often stated inparts per million orparts per billion.
Bottle Water
Bottle Water
U.S. has the world’ssafest tap water due tobillions of $$$ ofinvestment.
Bottle water 240 to10,000 times moreexpensive than tapwater.
25% of bottle water istap water.
Bottle Water
Bottle Water
1.4 million metric tonsof bottle thrown awayeach year.
Toxic fumes releasedduring bottling.
Bottles made from oilbased plastics.
Water does not need tomeet SDWA.
1.4 million metric tonsof bottle thrown awayeach year.
Toxic fumes releasedduring bottling.
Bottles made from oilbased plastics.
Water does not need tomeet SDWA.
