ESS 4.4 - Types of Water Pollution

Identify types of water pollution

• sewage

• agricultural run-off

• industrial effluent / sewage

• urban run-off

• solid waste disposal

Define Point Source Pollution

Pollution that originates from a single identifiable source

Define Non-Point Source pollution

Pollution that comes from multiple diffuse sources

Identify ways to test for water quality

• dissolved oxygen

• pH

• temperature

• turbidity

• concentration of nitrates, phosphates, metals

• etc

Identify the two types of organic pollutants

1. Pathogens (Bacteria, Virus) - causes disease eg chloera, dysentery, gastroenteritis, harmful to aquatic life

2. Biodegradable Waste (animal waste, plant material) - increases biochem oxyhem demand, leads to oxygen depletion + death of aquatic organisms

3. Sewage

Identify the two types of inorganic pollutants

1. Heavy metals (lead, mercury) - toxic to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulation, neurological human damage

2. Nutrients (nitrates + phosphates from fertilizers) - algal blooms, lack of oxygen, death of fish + aquatic life

3. Hot water

4. radioactive material

5. light

6. noise

7. suspended solids (sediment)

Identify some pollutants that are both inorganic and organic

• solid domestic waste (plastics, glass, metals)

• invasive species

Describe problems with plastic pollution

• reduces potential income from tourism + recreation for beaches

• entangles marine animals

• destroys habitats

• gets into ship propellers

• microplastics in the food chain

• doesn’t degrade

• easier transfer of invasive species

Explain an example of water pollution and solution

Minamata Disease Japan 1956

• Release of methylmercury from industrial plant(bacteria combined with mercury in water + soil) poisoned fish + shellfish

• Led consumers to develop Minamata Disease - loss of central functioning system

Solution

• removal of contaminated sediment + water

• fines for chemical plant + compensation for victims

• gov. health programs and medical exams