apes water pollution

water pollution

any change in water quality that can harm living organisms or make th water unfit for human uses such as drinking, irrigation, and recreation

infectious agents (pathogens)

cause diseases

ie: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites

sources: human and animal wastes

oxygen (demanding wastes)

depleted dissolved oxygen needed by aquatic species

ie: biodegradable animal wastes and plant debris

sources: sewage, animal feedlots, food-processing facilities, paper mills

plant nutrients

cause excessive growth of algae and other species

ie: nitrates (NO3) and phosphates (PO4³)

sources: sewage, animal wastes, inorganic fertilizers

organic chemicals

add toxins to aquatic systems

ie: oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning solvents

sources: industry, households, farms

inorganic chemicals

add toxins to aquatic systems

ie: acids, bases, salts, metal compounds

sources: industry, households, surface runoff, mining sites

sediments

disrupt photosynthesis, food webs, other processes

ie: soil, silt

sources: land erosion

heavy metals

cause cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems

ie: lead, mercury, arsenic

sources: unlined landfills, household chemicals, mining refuse, industrial discharges

thermal (water pollutant)

ie: heat

sources: electric power and industrial plants

point source pollution

type of pollution that is located at specific places, is easy to identify, monitor, and regulate

ie: discharges from wastewater treatment plants, operational wastes from industries, combined sewer outfalls

nonpoint source pollution

type of pollution

broad, diffuse areas

difficult to identify and control

expensive to clean up

eutrophication

natural, gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients as it ages

cultural eutrophication

human water pollution speeds up the aging process by introducing sewage, detergents, fertilizers, and nutrient sources into the ecosystem

clean water act

establishes basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface water

safe drinking water act

sets maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for any pollutants that affect human health, authorizes EPA to establish minimum standards to protect tap water and requires all owners or operators of public water systems to comply with these primary (health-related) standards

homes and businesses

wastewater treatment facility stage 1: produce waste-water

Pump

wastewater treatment facility stage 2: lifts waste-water

barscreen

wastewater treatment facility stage 3: removes large debris like branches

sedimentation tank

wastewater treatment facility stage 4: solids settle to the bottom as sludge and scum float to the top

secondary aeration

wastewater treatment facility stage 5: provides oxygen for microorganisms

activated sludge

comes from secondary clarifier, added to water in secondary aeration

secondary clarifier

microorganisms decompose organic material and absorb nutrients

discharge

of treated effluent

sludge digester

reduces volume and odors and destroys harmful organisms

solid disposal

solids are sent to landfill or used as fertilizer

cholera

cause: drinking contaminated water

bacterial disease causing severe diarrhea and dehydration usually spread in water

fatal if not treated right away

key symptoms: diarrhea and dehydration, rarely, shock and seizures may occur in severe cases

treatment- rehydration, IV fluids, and antibiotics

malaria

disease caused by a parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes

symptoms: chills, fever, and sweating a few weeks after the bite

people traveling to areas where this is common typically take protective drugs before, during, and after their trip

zika

a disease spread through a mosquito bite

in most cases, there are no symptoms, there’s no vaccine or specific treatment- only rest

west nile virus

in most cases, people either don’t develop signs or symptoms, or have only minor ones, such as a fever or headache. however, some people develop a life-threatening illness that includes inflammation of the spinal cord or brain

you can lower your risk by protecting yourself from mosquitoes using mosquito repellent and wearing clothing that covers your skin, as well as avoiding having standing water outside of your home

endocrine disruptors

any chemical that mimics or interferes with the normal actions of hormones in the body

ie: flame retardants, plasticizers, industrial chemicals, phytoestrogens, pesticides

agricultural activities, industrial facilities, mining

causes of water pollution

gulf of mexico hypoxic zone

depletion of oxygen, spring and summer- huge inputs of nutrients from the mississippi river basin, nitrogen cycle disrupted

water quality testing- dissolved oxygen

needed at a certain concentration to sustain aquatic life

water quality testing- turbidity

relative clarity of water

e. coli

the presence of this bacteria in aquatic environments indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of man or other animals.