EMA Lecture 8 Flashcards
What are some users of freshwater resources?
-Agriculture
-Domestic
-Industry
-Fisheries
-Power
-Transport
-Recreation
What % of worlds total water is freshwater?
2.5% of total volume
What % of world’s water is snow or ice?
70%
What areas does pollution impact?
Groundwater, lakes, rivers and oceans
What is a point source?
A source of pollution that comes from a single source eg. industrial discharge, sewage treatment plant effluent
What is a non-point source?
A large number of sources causing pollution, eg. agricultural runoff, urban runoff
Name an example of point source pollution
Tolka River, Dublin 2014
What are three sources of freshwater pollution
-Municipal (homes/businesses)
-Agricultural (fertilisers/ pesticides)
-Industrial (oil, heavy metal)
What are the classes of freshwater pollution?
- Toxic chemical pollutants
- Biodegradable organic substances
- Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous)
- Silt
- Acidic pollution
- Thermal pollutants
Why assess water quality?
-Legislation compels governments to monitor water quality and prevent pollution
-EU water framework directive
-EU nitrates directive
-Management of Bathing water quality
What authority enforces water pollution laws
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- licensing, enforcement and monitoring of the environment including water
-Report to public and EU
What are also involved in water monitoring
-Local authority
-OPW (Office of Public Works)
What does IPPC stand for?
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (license)
What does the IPPC license do?
Regulates the quantity and nature of pollutants emitted into the environment by the licensee
How much can a IPPC license cost?
€7,000 - €22,000
