Unit 8: Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

3 Sources of Oil Pollution

1. Runoff from urban areas

2. Oil tanker leaks/spills

3. Drilling activities in oceans

2 Methods to Clean Oil Spills

1. Burning off the oil

2. Bioremediation (microbes break down/eat oil)

Lead

Anthropogenic sources: mining, burning fossil fuels, e-waste

Health Issues: damage kidneys, liver, lungs, neurological damage

Arsenic

Anthropogenic sources: fertilizers, industrial waste (paper, glass), also leaches naturally from rocks in groundwater

Health issues: skin lesions, cancer, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease.

Mercury

Anthropogenic sources: coal burning power plants - when put in water bacteria converts into methylmercury which is very toxic

Health issues: neurological issues + impairment especially in kids

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemical substances that interfere with hormonal systems, leading to developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune issues. Sources: pesticides, plastics, etc

3 Causes of Thermal Pollution

Discharge from power plants using water as steam to turn generators, rain water running off of warm urban areas, sewage

Stockholm Convention Treaty

Goal: restrict POPs around the world

Bioaccumulation

Harmful substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, accumulate in living organisms' tissues over time.

Biomagnification

The process where the concentration of toxic substances increases in the tissues of organisms at each successive level of the food chain, particularly affecting top predators.

POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants)

Soluble in fat, making it hard to get rid of. They include pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. Often airborne + can travel far. Result in eggshell thinning + developmental disorders in higher trophic levels.

DDT

Is a POP. Softens bird eggs, leading parents to crush the eggs when sat on. Pesticide against mosquitoes.

PCBs

Is a POP. Causes skin conditions, liver damage + cancer. Sources: old electrical equipment + appliances, incineration of municipal waste.

Waste Incineration Pros vs Cons

Pros: reduces volume of waste, generates energy, lowers landfill use. Cons: emits pollutants, requires high energy, produces toxic ash.

Sanitary Municipal Landfill

Consists of bottom liner (plastic/clay), a storm water collection system, a leachate collection system, a cap, + methane collection system.

Leachate

Water that passes through a landfill and picks up waste components, potentially contaminating groundwater.

Primary Treatment

Physical removal of large objects

Secondary Treatment

Biological process where bacteria breaks down organic matter into CO2 and inorganic sludge.

Tertiary Treatment

Chemical. Used to remove any pollutants left after first 2 treatments, uncommon.