Notes on Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Environmental Justice: Ensures fair treatment of all individuals, irrespective of race, color, or income, in environmental law and regulation.
Environmental Discrimination: Often, low-income or minority communities are located near polluted or hazardous environments.
NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard): Phenomenon where local citizens oppose civic projects, like landfills or treatment plants, in their neighborhoods, although they may be necessary for community welfare.

Aims to regulate the discharge of pollutants into surface waters, including lakes and rivers.
Key Notes:
- Excludes groundwater protection.
- The EPA sets national water quality standards.
Originated from the ecological crisis, notably the Cuyahoga River fire in 1969.

Fracking: Involves injecting a mixture of water and chemicals into the earth to extract natural gas/oil, raising concerns about:
- Contaminated drinking water
- Increased air pollution
- Environmental degradation
Exempted from some regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act unless diesel is used.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Manages hazardous waste from creation to disposal (cradle to grave).
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): Known as Superfund, it regulates cleanup of hazardous waste sites.
As of April 2020, 1335 sites are listed under the National Priorities List for cleaning procedures funded through the Superfund program.

Definitions:
- Water Pollution: Any alteration of water quality that could harm living organisms.
- Point-source Pollution: Easily identifiable pollution from specific sources (e.g., pipes).
- Nonpoint-source Pollution: Diffuse pollution sources that are difficult to regulate (e.g., runoff).
Major Pollutants:
- Pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
- Organic/Inorganic Chemicals (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals)
- Sediments

Chesapeake Bay: Largest U.S. estuary facing pollution from population growth and agricultural runoff.
1983: Implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Program focusing on integrated coastal management.

Pollutants as Indicators: Certain species can indicate water quality; lower diversity often indicates higher pollution levels.
Biological Indicators: Organisms like macroinvertebrates give an idea of water quality due to sensitivity to pollutants.

Caused by:
- Increased ocean temperatures (thermal stress)
- Sediment runoff from various human activities (construction, agriculture)
- Overfishing and pollution

Oil spills have devastating impacts on marine life and economic activities (e.g., fishing, tourism).
Deepwater Horizon Spill (2010): Led to significant ecological damage and economic losses.
Major historical spills include the Exxon Valdez spill (1989).

Definition: Over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, often causing algal blooms and low oxygen levels.
Symptoms include decreased aquatic life due to the depletion of dissolved oxygen.

Solid waste can contaminate groundwater and lead to serious environmental issues.
Common waste management practices include landfilling, incineration, recycling, and composting.

Integrated waste management employs the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Composting: A way to reduce landfill waste by recycling organic materials, providing nutrient-rich soil.

Wastewater treatment is essential to remove pollutants and pathogens from sewage before it enters the environment.
Systems include septic tanks and sewage treatment plants, focusing on primary, secondary, and tertiary methods to achieve clean water discharge.

Increasing awareness and legislative actions on pollution and waste management are crucial for protecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.