Water Pollution Solutions

Question 1

What are some examples of local water pollution and how it impacts us?

Answer 1

Phosphorous-nitrogen pollution from farms
Chemicals like dioxin from chemical plants
Fecal contamination from urban runoff

Unique health concerns to both humans and our environments.

Question 2

Describe Eutrophication. What is it? How is caused? What are its impacts?

Answer 2

Eutrophication is the process of the creation of “dead-zones,” caused by fertilizer runoffs and algal blooms. Methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome,” and the creation of hydrogen sulfide are some of the deadliest impacts of Eutrophication.

Question 3

Discussion: Which method of sewage treatment do you think is best? Why?

Answer 3

Each method has pros and cons. For example, tertiary sewage treatment uses chemicals to kill bacteria, which is typically more effective than simply using screens, however its high cost discourages its widespread use.

Question 4

Nonpoint Source

Answer 4

Waste polluting water that cannot be traced back to a discrete source

Question 5

Reducing Water Pollution from Nonpoint Sources

Answer 5

Reduce soil erosion and fertilizer runoff
Use fertilizers that slowly release plant nutrients
Use no fertilizers on steep land
Rely on sustainable food production
Plant buffer zones of vegetation
Set discharge standards

Question 6

Riparian Zones

Answer 6

Zones along river banks

Question 7

Dead Zones

Answer 7

Areas of water bodies where aquatic life cannot survive because of low oxygen levels

The annual formation of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is difficult to prevent because of the importance of the Mississippi River basin for growing crops

Question 8

Septic tank

Answer 8

Underground container used for treatment/disposal of sewage and wastewater in rural/suburban areas

Question 9

Process of Sewage Treatment

Answer 9

Household sewage is pumped into a settling tank

Grease and oil rise to the top, and solids (sludge) sink to the bottom and are semi-decomposed by bacteria

This new water is then put into a large drainage field through tiny holes in perforated pipes buried in gravel underground

As the waste drains downward, pollutants are filtered out and bacteria in the soil decomposes biodegradable materials

Question 10

Advantages of Septic Tanks

Answer 10

Septic tanks work well as long as they are maintained and not overloaded with sludge
Chlorine bleaches, drain cleaners, and antibacterial soaps are not to be used in these systems
Can kill bacteria that decomposes waste
In urban areas in the U.S., most water wastes from homes, business, and storm runoff flow through a series of sewage pipes to treatment plants