4.4 water pollution Flashcards
aquatic pollutants
- chemical pollutants
toxic metals - physical pollutants
noise, thermal - biological pollutants
invasive species
aquatic pollution
domestic sewage
- universal pollutant
- main source of pathogens
aquatic pollution
industrial discharge
- can produce organic matter, toxic metals, synthetic non-biodegradable compounds
- paper industry, lots of water, waste water
- hot water into rivers
aquatic pollution
agricultural run off
- pesticides, toxic
- fertilizers, nitrates, growth of water plants
- manure, increase organic material. pathogens, suspended solids
aquatic pollution
urban run off
- picks up pollutants as it flows through an area, contains variety of pollutants
aquatic pollution
land development
- forest clearance, increase soil erosion, runoff
aquatic pollution
landfill sites
- leachates concentrated pollutants entering ground/surface water
aquatic pollution
accidental discharges
- storage sizes involving hazardous materials
- spill, material can escape into nearby water systems
aquatic pollution
acid mine drainage
- rainwater percolating through a mine
- reacts with iron pyrite to form sulphuric acid, dissolves toxic metals, transported by water flow into nearby water systems
aquatic pollution
atmospheric input
- emissions washed out of the atmosphere by rain into aquatic systems
aquatic pollution, marine based sources
outfall pipes
- used to discharge material directly from land to sea
aquatic pollution, marine based sources
materials dumped at sea
- sewage
- radioactive waste
aquatic pollution, marine based sources
shipping activities
- disposal of litter and other waste at sea
- accidental discharges
- discharge of ballast waters containing oil residue/invasive species
aquatic pollution, marine based sources
exploitation of resources
- extraction of material beneath the sea bed, oil/gravel
impacts of water pollution
organic pollution
- organic material, micro organisms break down, oxygen is used, anoxic conditions, organisms may die
- anaerobic breakdown of organic compounds, production of methane, hydrogen sulphide and ammonia, die from toxic gasses
impacts of water pollution
inorganic plant nutrients
- nitrates and phosphates, eutrophication, cyanobacteria blooms
- blooms toxins harmful to human health
impacts of water pollution
toxic metals
- high levels interfere with cellular processes, bioaccumulation/magnification
oxygen levels are determined by
temperature
- more oxygen, lower temp
pressure
- less oxygen, lower pressure
turbulence
- more oxygen, more turbulence
photosynthesis
- during the day produces oxygen, more
respiration
- utilizes oxygen, can lower
problems associated with eutrophication
- unsuitable for drinking
- reduced recreational use
- reduced comercial value
- increased water related diseases
minimata japan case study
- environmental metal poisoning
- cats, hyperactive
- seafood contaminated mercury
- loss of muscle coordination, memory loss, slurred speech
- bioaccumulate up the food chain
- factory using mercury discharging into the bay
- brain damage
impacts of water pollution
synthetic compounds
- bioaccumulation
- fish reproduction, growth, immune system, endocrine system, illnesses in humans
impacts of water pollution
inert suspended solids
- prevent light penetration
impacts of water pollution
hot water
- lower concentrations of oxygen
- unfavourable temp
- lower biodiversity
impacts of water pollution
oil
- surface film
- oxygen depletion within the water
- decreases photosynthesis
- loose ability to repel water
impacts of water pollution
invasive species
- migrate, global warming
- escape
- outcompete natural animals
- decrease biodiversity
measuring water quality
pH and temperature
- should be normal for the area
measuring water quality
suspended solids
- small particles, block sunlight, reducing photosynthesis
- filtering some of the water and weighing residue
- turbidity meter
measuring water quality
dissolved oxygen
- well oxygenated water = suitable environment for many organisms
- oxygen meter or winkler method
measuring water quality
biochemical oxygen demand
- oxygen levels measured
- bottle filled with sample and sealed
- kept in the dark at 20°c for 5 days
- oxygen levels measured again
- difference between initial and final is the BOD
- 2mg/l or less = pristine
20mg/l = badly polluted
measuring water quality
metals
- over a certain concentration, adverse effect
- samples taken and then analyzed
limitations of measuring water quality
- snap shot in time, not reflective of overall
- right after pollution or dispersed due to a storm
measuring water quality
biological monitoring
- checking individual species for pollution over time
- eg, muscles and ddt
measuring water quality
biotic index
- presence of organisms indicate water quality
- indicator species
- biodiversity
measuring water quality
microbial test
- tested for pathogens
- expensive
- incubation period to identify
managing eutrophication
- alternatives to phosphates in detergent
- removing nitrates and phosphates from sewage effluent
- buffer zones
- livestock access to aquatic systems
- herbicides, algal blooms
- biological control, fish that eat algae
- mix the water, aerate
