Env Science #3 Water Pollution

What is water pollution?

Anything that degrades water quality.

What are point sources of pollution?

Specific locations of highly concentrated pollution discharge, such as factories and sewage treatment plants.

What are nonpoint sources of pollution?

Scattered, diffuse sources of pollutants like runoff from farm fields and construction sites.

What is atmospheric deposition?

Sedimentation of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials from the air.

What are coliform bacteria?

Bacteria that live in the intestines (including the colon) of humans and other animals.

What does biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measure?

The amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aquatic organisms over a given period.

What is dissolved oxygen content (DO)?

The amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water at a specified temperature and atmospheric pressure.

What is oxygen sag?

Oxygen decline downstream from a pollution source that introduces materials with high biological oxygen demands.

What does oligotrophic refer to in aquatic systems?

Rivers and lakes that have clear water and low biological productivity.

What does eutrophic refer to?

Rivers and lakes that are rich in organisms and organic material.

What is cultural eutrophication?

An increase in biological productivity and ecosystem succession caused by human activities.

What is red tide?

A population explosion or bloom of minute, single-celled marine organisms called dinoflagellates.

What is a thermal plume?

A plume of hot water discharged into a stream or lake by a heat source, such as a power plant.

What are Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)?

The amount of particular pollutants that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards.

What is primary treatment in sewage processing?

A process that removes solids from sewage before it is further treated.

What is secondary treatment in sewage processing?

Bacterial decomposition of suspended particulates and dissolved organic compounds after primary treatment.

What is tertiary treatment in sewage processing?

Removal of inorganic minerals and plant nutrients after primary and secondary treatment.

What is effluent sewerage?

A low-cost alternative sewage treatment that combines features of septic systems and centralized municipal treatment.

What are constructed wetlands?

Artificially constructed wetlands used to purify water.