Water Pollutants Quiz- APES

Sediment

refers to soil particles in bodies of water. 70% comes from human activities.

What creates sediment pollution??

clear-cutting, mining, and clearing land for development have all increased rates of erosion

Issues from sediment pollution

blocks sunlight penetration, reducing productivity of algae and plants and reducing visibility of predators

clogs gills and prevents aquatic organisms from obtaining oxygen

Solid Waste

garbage thrown away by people (plastic pollution)

TRASH

litter that reaches aquatic ecosystems (unsightly and creates intestinal blockage and choking hazards for wildlife and introduces toxic substances to the food chain)

problem with solid waste pollution

practice of dumping garbage in the ocean

thermal pollution

occurs when human activites cause a substantial change in the temperature of water

can cause thermal shock (fatal to organisms)

causes lower dissolved oxygen

examples of thermal pollution

use of river water as coolant for factories or power plants

deforestation near water remove shade, which increases temperature

noise pollution

sounds emiited by ships and submarines can interfere with animal communication

loud sonar can negatively affect species such as whales that rely on low-frequency, long-distance communication

solution for noise pollution

engineering ships with quieter propellers

synthetic compounds

can enter the water supply from industrial point sources or from nonpoint sources when they are applied over large areas (farmland)

examples of synthetic compounds

pesticides and pharmaceuticals

chemical water pollutant examples

synthetic compounds, oil

some bad things that synthetic compounds cause

can be toxic, persistent and cause genetic defects, and interfere with growth and sexual development

oil

petroleum products are highly toxic to many marine organisms

examples of marine organisms that oil is harmful to

birds, mammals, and fish, as well as algae and microorganisms at the base of the aquatic food chain

sources of oil pollutant

drilling for undersea oil on offshore platforms (deepwater horizon)

oil spills from tankers

some occurs naturally (oil seeps)

remediation of oil pollutant

containment- booms keep the floating oil from spreading, then boats equipped with giant oil vaccums suck up as much oil as possible

dispersants- chemicals break up the oil on the surface, helping it dissolve before it reaches the surface

bacteria- scientists are trying to optimize oil-degrading bacteria to break down spilled oil (example of bioremediation)

heavy metals pollutant

are neurotoxins, which affect nervous system function or development

change the way your nervous system works for the rest of your life

-unchangeable

three examples of heavy metals

lead- found in pipes and other materials in older construction

arsenic- occurs naturally and through human activity such as mining and industry

mercury- occurs naturally and through human activity, primarily burning coal

biological pollutant

example: pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria and protus), which originate primarily from human and animal waste products

downsides to biological pollutants

pathogens can contaminate surface water as well as groundwater

examples of biological pollutants

animal feedlots and manure lagoons

manure from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOS) may contain pathogens as well as hormones and antibiotics used on animals

farms may use manure lagoons (ponds lined with rubber) to store and decompose manure using bacteria

-manur byproducts can be used as fertilizer (following decomposition)

MANURE LAGOONS- FULL OF BS!!!