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Water Pollution. . An introduction to Water Pollution. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater.
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An introduction to Water Pollution. • Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater. • This occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies, without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. • Humans are the cause of most of the pollution in our water ways, and polluted stormwater is a major contributor to degradation of our water ways.
Class discussion: Humans being the cause of Water Degradation
Causes of water pollution • Marine Dumping – This form of pollution can result in the death of aquatic life. • It takes variable periods of time for items to degrade: • Cardboard – 2 weeks • Newspaper – 6 weeks • Foam – 50 years • Aluminium – 200 years • Plastic packaging – 400 years. • Glass takes so long to break down, the exact time is not yet know!
Causes of Water pollution • Sewage and Wastewater: Domestic households, industrial and agricultural practices. • The improper disposal of untreated waste water can cause diseases, particularly in developing nations. • The correct treatment of sewage is a huge priority due to large number of inhabitants on earth. • In developed countries, this can be a problem when chemical and pharmaceutical substances are flushed.
Causes of Water pollution • Industrial waste, is of great concern due to the large amounts of harmful pollutants being produced. • Lead and Mercury – are non biodegradable, also causing harm to marine life and humans. • Nitrates – the increased use of fertiliser leads to more nitrates being washed from soils into water streams, also phosphates. • Oil – does not dissolve in water, rather forms a thick layer on the surface. • Asbestos- can be harmful to both marine life and
Causes of Water pollution • Radioactive waste is also referred to a nuclear waste. • The mining and refining of uranium is one of the main causes of marine nuclear waste. • Operations conducted by nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste. Nuclear-fuel reprocessing plants in northern Europe are the biggest sources of man-made nuclear waste in the surrounding ocean. Radioactive traces from these plants have been found as far away as Greenland
Causes of Water pollution • Under ground storage system. – A tank or pipe system contains at least 10% of its volume under ground. • These are known as underground storage tanks, (UST). • They often store substances such as petroleum, and can be very harmful to the surrounding environment • Original piping's were made from steel, which over time corrodes and cause leakages. This affects surrounding soil and ground water
Storm Water pollution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqNUTlY5foQ
CASE STUDY: LAKE PARRAMATTA • In recent years it has be the site of ongoing monitoring for water quality in an attempt to make the lake suitable for swimming. • Deterioration of water quality has resulted from urban development in the Hunts Creek Catchment with increased run-off and sewage overflow. • Major pollutants to the lake have been pathogens, faeces, diluted sewage and rubbish washed through storm water systems. • Public education on the prevention of contaminants entering the water way is a highly implemented strategy – from household, pesticides and fertilisers for example. • It may still be a few year before it is suitable for swimming, but it is now a well maintained
Why do we treat water? • The treatment of drinking water is to protect public health. • Protecting water sources from pollution by human or animal waste can reduce the amount of microorganisms entering the water supply • Illness is easily transmitted through water, examples include cholera and diarrhoea. These often result in death, in developing countries. • The aims of treatment technologies in Australia is to further improve water quality whilst reducing the costs of doing so.
Ways to treat water. • Sewage- before entering water ways is treated in a Sewage treatment facility. There is one at KINCUMBER. The sewage goes through a number of chambers and chemical processes to reduce the amount of toxins in the waste. • Septic tanks- threat sewage at their location, and are usually used to treat sewage from an individual building. • Denitrification – is an ecological approach that can be used to prevent the leaching of nitrates into soil, as it prevents ground water from being contaminated with nutrients.
Sewage Treatment Processes. • The sewage first goes through a primary phase. This is where some of the suspended, solid particles and inorganic material is removed by the use of filters. • The secondary phase of the treatment involves the reduction of organic, this is done with the use of biological filters and processes that naturally degrade the organic waste material. • The final stage of treatment is the tertiary phase; this stage must be done before the water can be reused. Almost all solid particles are removed from the water and chemical additives are supplied to get rid of any left-over impurities.
ACTIVITY: Write a letter to you local council, elaborating on ways in which you think would best solve water pollution problems in your area. - Remember: Before, suggesting your solutions think of the consequences they may have on the environment , and suitable arguments to support your ideas!
