Lecture-4.-Water-Quality-Environment-Management-and-Technologies
ENGR. SHELAH JOY RAYMUNDO
Environmental Science and Engineering (ES 012)
Focus: Water Quality, Environment, Management, and Technologies
Unit II: Pollution Environments
Key Areas:
Air
Water
Toxic and Solid Waste
Hazardous Waste
Water Resources Overview
Topics Covered in Detail:
Water Resources
Status of Rivers in the Philippines
Water Quality
Water Pollutants
Water Environment
Water Management
Existing Water Resources
Marine Waters
Inland Waters:
Rivers
Lakes
Groundwater
Status of Rivers in the Philippines
Pollution Statistics:
180 of 421 rivers are polluted
50 rivers are biologically dead
Economic Impact:
Water pollution costs the Philippines approximately $1.3 billion annually
Sources:
National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Water Resources Management: Issues and Challenges
Challenges Include:
Over-extraction of water
Inefficient water use
Governance and policy issues
Socioeconomic factors impacting water quality
Water Quality
Drivers of Water Quality:
Institutional framework
Existing policies and regulations
Research and education
Water use and basin hydrology
Implementation and best practices
Human behavior impacts
Defining Water Quality
Concept:
Expresses the suitability of water for various uses
Influenced by variables such as:
Life
Food production
Economic factors
Environmental considerations
Influences of Water Quality on Uses
Surface Water and Groundwater Quality:
Quality is dependent on both natural and human activities.
Monitoring:
Requires regular checks to understand variations over time and space
Physical & Chemical Parameters Impacting Water Quality
Temperature:
Affects chemical reactions, photosynthesis, metabolic rates, and organism interactions.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO):
Indicator of water quality; influenced by diffusion and photosynthesis.
pH and Alkalinity:
Affects biological productivity vital for aquatic life.
Turbidity/Suspended Solids:
Impacts light penetration, affecting plant growth.
Salinity:
Indicates concentration of dissolved salts, influencing aquatic life tolerance.
Nutrient Dynamics
Phosphorus:
Exists as phosphates; important for biological production.
Nitrogen:
Diverse forms; contributes to eutrophication in aquatic systems.
Silica:
Essential for diatom growth; depletion affects aquatic ecosystems.
Organic Matter and Pollution Indicators
Organic Matter:
Decomposition is vital for nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
Indicates the organic pollution level in water; high BOD reduces available oxygen for aquatic life.
Biological Components of Water Quality
Microbes and Pathogens:
Microbial contamination critical for water safety; includes monitoring of bacteria and viruses.
Primary Producers:
Algae and vascular plants essential for producing energy in aquatic ecosystems.
Water Pollution Effects
Human Health Impact:
Diseases linked to polluted water: gastroenteritis, cholera, dysentery, etc.
Ecological Impact:
Oxygen depletion leads to aquatic life decline; algal blooms cause shellfish poisoning.
Aesthetics:
Pollution affects sight and smell, leading to economic losses.
Pollution Sources
Point Source Pollution:
Discrete pollutant release points (e.g., factories, treatment plants).
Nonpoint Source Pollution:
Diffuse sources contributing to water contamination (e.g., runoff from urban areas).
Total Pollution Load Analyses
Pollution Loading Concept:
Refers to the mass of contaminants entering a water body.
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL):
Calculated limits on pollutants to meet water quality standards.
Conclusion
Effective water management requires understanding challenges, monitoring quality, addressing pollution sources, and enforcing regulations.