3.4 (Water Pollution) Flashcards
Point Source Pollution
water pollution that has a defined source
ex: pipe bursts from a specific factory
Nonpoint Source Pollution
water pollution which source is spread over a wide area
ex: agricultural runoff from vast farmland
Sediment Pollution
The clouding of water with soil sediments (sand, silt, clay).
The MOST widespread form of water pollution.
Sediment pollution blocks photosynthesis and clogs fish gills and pipelines.
What are Sources and 4 of Them?
Sources are runoff caused by accelerated erosion as a result of human activities
● construction
● mining
● deforestation
● agriculture
Raw Sewage Pollution
When sewer pipes BREAK, untreated wastewater RELEASE fecal pathogens into the water.
untreated wastewater from pipes
What is Disease-Causing Organism Pollution?
5 Examples of Them?
Water that is contaminated by microorganisms that cause waterborne illness (vomiting and diarrhea).
Examples:
* E. coli bacteria
* Salmonella bacteria
* Giardia parasite
* Cryptosporidium
* Cholera
This has been a major threat to human health for thousands of years.
Inorganic Nutrient Pollution
- excess plant fertilizers in aquatic ecosystem
- mainly in the forms of nitrates and phosphates
nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers
Inorganic Nutrient Pollution SOURCES
● agricultural fertilizers (runoff from farms and lawns/ gardens)
● domestic sewage (soap/ detergent in wastewater)
● animal waste
Inorganic Nutrient Pollution Effect? (What does it cause?)
Eutrophication
(Oxygen levels decrease and fish die, leading to increased decomposition)
* algae blooms
* death of deep aquatic plants by blocked sunlight
* decomposers break down organic waste in water
* (dead algae, plants, and fish)
* Low dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Heavy Metal Pollution
lead and mercury are toxic in large doses
Sources:
● factories
● mining
Children are more sensitive, resulting in disruptions in neural (brain) development
Extreme exposure can cause cancer, kidney disease, and circulatory system disruption.
mercury and lead that impact human development
Thermal Pollution
- The increase in water temperature as a result of human activity.
- Mainly affects dissolved oxygen levels in the water but indirectly affects aquatic organisms.
Source: Power plants using water for cooling
water from factories used to cool the factory
Disease Causing Agents
water-borne illnesses like E. coli
Inorganic Nutrients
nitrogen and phosphorus from too much fertilizers
Who is responsible for setting these contaminant levels?
EPA (Enviornental Protection Agency)
Who is responsible for testing for these contaminant levels in NYC?
DEP (Department Enviormental Protection)
