water pollution

Water Pollution

When water is altered in composition or condition, directly or indirectly due to human activities, making it less suitable for its natural purposes.

Organic Pollution

Pollution caused by organic compounds that contain carbon and usually carbon-hydrogen bonds, often from sewage, runoff, and industrial sources.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose biological wastes; increases with organic pollution.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water by inorganic and organic plant nutrients, leading to low dissolved oxygen levels and high algal growth.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution that comes from a discrete source, such as a factory or sewage treatment plant.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Pollution that originates from multiple sources over a wide area, rather than a specific, identifiable source.

Suspended Solids

Solid particles that remain in suspension in water and can affect aquatic ecosystems by limiting light penetration.

Algal Blooms

Rapid increases in the population of algae in water bodies, often caused by excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen present in water, critical for aquatic life; decreases as BOD increases.

Agricultural Runoff

Water that flows over farmland, carrying fertilizers and pollutants into nearby water bodies, contributing to water pollution.

Macroinvertebrates

Aquatic organisms without a backbone, such as insects and crustaceans, used as indicators of water quality.

Nutrient Fluxes

The movement and transformation of nutrients through water and soil systems, often affecting water quality.

Aluminium Toxicity

The harmful effects of aluminum in water, particularly during acid episodes, which can be toxic to aquatic life.

Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Large-scale livestock facilities where animals are raised in confinement, generating significant organic waste contributions.

Monitoring vs. Surveying

Monitoring involves repeated measurements over time, while surveying is a single measurement across space for water quality assessment.

BMWP

Biological Monitoring Working Party score; assesses water quality based on the presence of various taxa of macroinvertebrates.

ASPT

Average Score Per Taxon; calculated by averaging the scores of taxa found in a sample to assess water quality.

First Flush

The initial runoff that occurs after a period of dry weather, often contaminated with pollutants accumulated on surfaces.