APES water pollution

point sources

single identifiable source that discharges pollutants into the environment

non point sources

arise from multiple inputs over large areas, such as farms, city streets, and residential neighborhoods

Wastewater

Water produced by livestock operations and human activities, including human sewage from toilets and gray water from bathing and washing of clothes and dishes.

dead zones

In a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very little life

Eutrophication

excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

septic system

A relatively small and simple sewage treatment system, made up of a septic tank and a leach field, often used for homes in rural areas

leach field

The ground area around a septic tank through which waste waters filters after leaving the tank.

primary treatment

first step of sewage treatment; eliminates most particulate material from raw sewage using grates, screens, and gravity (settling).

secondary treatment

Treating wastewater biologically, by using microorganisms to decompose the suspended organic material; occurs after primary treatment

tertiary treatment

The removal of inorganic minerals and plant nutrients after primary and secondary treatment of sewage.

Disinfection

A process that eliminates many or all microorganisms, with the exception of bacteria spores, from inanimate objects

Manure lagoon

Human-made pond lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.

acid mine drainage

the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines

dissolved oxygen

oxygen dissolved in water, dissolved oxygen is important for fish and other aquatic animals

biochemical oxygen demand

Amount of oxygen required by aquatic bacteria to decompose given load of organic waste; a measure of water pollution.

escherichia coli (E. Coli)

A common bacterium found in the gut of warm-blooded animals. Most strains are harmless, including the strain used in these lab protocols.

fecal coliform bacteria

Generally harmless microorganisms that live in the intestines of human beings and other animals. E. coli. Found in water when human waste is in it.

indicator species

Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded.

oxygen sag curve

The curve obtained when the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a river into which sewage or some other pollutant has been discharged is plotted against the distance downstream from the sewage outlet

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The EPA is allowed to set the standards for drinking water quality and oversees all of the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement these standards

Maximum contaminant level (MCL)

Designation given by the EPA to drinking water standards It is the greatest amount of a contaminant allowed in drinking water without causing a risk to human health.

Clean Water Act (CWA)

1972; set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and fishable

thermal pollution

Nonchemical water pollution that occurs when human activities cause a substantial change in the temperature of water

turbidity

cloudiness of water

Nitrate

sources include agriculture and waste water. cause eutrophication, harm aquatic life, and pose health risks to humans, especially infants

phosphate

sources include agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and industrial waste. Natural sources include weathering of rocks, but human activities accelerate the process excessive amounts lead to eutrophication

MTBE

The chemical that used to be used in gasoline, now known to be a carcinogen found in groundwater

cholera

an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food

giardia

causing the diarrheal disease giardiasis

oil

contaminates water bodies through spills, runoff, and natural seeps, harming aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. can be both a point source (e.g., an oil tanker spill) or a nonpoint source (e.g., runoff from roads

sediment

results from erosion, particularly from agriculture, construction, and deforestation

endocrine disruptors

chemicals that interfere with an organism's hormonal system, and they are often found in wastewater, runoff, and industrial discharge

oxygen demanding waste

organic matter that enters a body of water and feeds microbes that are decomposers

lead

it is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates drinking water from sources like old pipes and fixtures, industrial discharge, and contaminated soil

arsenic

naturally occurring, highly toxic carcinogen that can contaminate drinking water sources through geological deposits and pesticide runoff

mercury

harms aquatic ecosystems (biomagnification) and human health through its journey from sources like coal-fired power plants to a highly toxic form called methylmercury.

PCBs

synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment

acid rain

Rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water.

noise pollution

any noise that causes stress or has the potential to damage human health.