ch 21- water pollution (not finished)

what is water pollution?

the addition of anything that might degrade the quality of the water

the seven categories of water pollution

sewage, disease agents, sediments, organic compounds, inorganic nutrients, toxic metals , and thermal pollution

what is sewage?

wastewater from drains or sewers that includes human waste, soaps, and detergents that carries disease agents

what is eutrophication?

the enrichment of a water body with high levels N & P that leads to increased photosynthetic activity

what is Biological oxygen demand?

the amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose biological wastes

what is the relationship between BOD and DO?

as BOD increases, dissolved oxygen decreases

what are disease-causing agents?

infectious organisms that causes disease

what are some common diseases?

typhoid, cholera, bacterial dysentery, polio, and infectious hepatitis

what do fecal coliform tests do?

detect the presence of E. coli in water

what is E. coli?

indicator that feces is present in water

what is sediment pollution?

excessive amounts of suspended soil particles that eventually settle out & accumulate

what are effects of sediment pollution?

increases turbidity, covers/smothers, displaces aquatic organisms, and carries insoluble toxins into waterways

what are organic compounds?

chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms

what are examples of natural organic compounds?

sugars, amino acids, oils

what are some examples of human-made organic compounds?

pesticides, solvents, industrial chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals

what are endocrine disruptors?

substances that interfere with hormones and adversely affect amphibians

what are inorganic nutrients?

nutrients like N & P that stimulate the growth of plants and algae

what are sources of inorganic nutrients?

human & animal wastes, plant residues, atmospheric deposition, and fertilizer runoff

what are harmful effects of inorganic nutrients?

eutrophication, high BOD , foul odors

How can we decrease dead zones?

By reducing nutrient runoff from agriculture, improving wastewater treatment, and restoring wetlands.

what are toxic metals?

metals that don’t degrade easily and are harmful to humans and other animals

what are sources of toxic metals?

mines, oil drilling, urban run-off, air pollution

what are examples of toxic metals?

lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium

where does mercury come from?

Coal-fired power plants, municipal & medical waste incinerators, metal
smelting, industrial processes

where does lead come from?

old lead paint, industrial pollutants, leaded gas, lead pipes

Why was Flint, Michigan vulnerable to a water crisis?

The city had old lead pipes and they can leach lead into drinking water without proper treatment

What is OCCT and why is it important?

OCCT stands for Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment and It's used to prevent lead from leaching out of pipes into tap water

what is environmental justice?

the equal right of every citizen, regardless of age, race, gender, social class, or other factor, to adequate from environmental hazards

what is thermal pollution?

this is when heated water is produced during industrial processes and is released into waterways

what are the affects of thermal pollution?

affects reproductive cycles, digestion & respiration rates, high BOD and low DO