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Water Pollution

Water Pollution. introduction of waste matter or chemicals that are harmful to organisms living in the water or to those that drink or are exposed to the water. the two underlying causes of water pollution are industrialization and rapid human population growth. Water Pollution.

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Water Pollution

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  1. Water Pollution • introduction of waste matter or chemicals that are harmful to organisms living in the water or to those that drink or are exposed to the water. • the two underlying causes of water pollution are industrialization and rapid human population growth.

  2. Water Pollution • Developed countries some water is still dangerously polluted. • In developing parts of the world, water pollution is a big problem because polluted water may only be available • Sources: • point : actual pipe, source • nonpoint : runoff from land

  3. Wastewater • water that contains wastes from homes or industry. • treatment plant make the water clean enough to return to a river or lake • most waste biodegradable

  4. Sewage Sludge • the solid material that remains after wastewater treatment • dangerous concentrations of toxic chemicals makes it hazardous • If the toxicity can be reduced to safe levels • used as a fertilizer • combined with clay to make bricks

  5. Eutrophication is a natural process • 1. Organic matter builds up in a body of water • 2. Oxygen levels decrease, • 3. Types of organisms change • A body of water can become a swamp or marsh.

  6. Artificial Eutrophication • process that increases the amount of nutrients in water through human activities • major causes : fertilizer and phosphates in detergents.

  7. Thermal Pollution • temperature increase in a body of water caused by human activity that has a harmful effect on water quality • can cause large fish kills • total disruption of an aquatic ecosystem

  8. Groundwater Pollution • Usually from polluted surface water that percolates down • Any pollution of the surface water in an area can affect the groundwater. • Pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer, and petroleum, industrial wastewater • Leaking underground storage tanks are a major source of groundwater pollution

  9. Cleaning Up Groundwater Pollution • Oof the most challenging environmental problems in the world. • Groundwater recharges very slowly • hundreds of years to recycle aquifer water and purge contaminants • pollutants can cling to the materials that make up an aquifer, continue to cause problems

  10. Ocean Pollution • Often dumped directly into the ocean • At least 85 percent pollutants comes from activities on land • oil, toxic wastes, and medical wastes • Sensitive coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, most effected

  11. Oil Spills • Each year, about 37 million gallons of oil from tanker accidents are spilled into the ocean. • 5 percent of oil pollution in the oceans • Most of the oil that pollutes the oceans comes from cities and towns..

  12. Water Pollution and Ecosystems • Biomagnification : accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain. • Alarming consequences for organisms at the top of the food chain • One reason why U.S. states limit the amount of fish people can eat from certain bodies of water

  13. Cleaning Up Water Pollution • The Clean Water Act of 1972 designed to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” • surface water clean enough for fishing and swimming by 1983 (not met) • lakes fit for swimming increased by 30 percent, • many states have passed stricter water-quality standards.

  14. Marine, Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972: laws against ocean dumping. • Oil Pollution Act of 1990 : requires all oil tankers traveling in U.S. waters to have double hulls by 2015 as an added protection against oil spills

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