Water PollutionBy: Isabella Iacona,

Micaiah Battle, and Rebecca Freedman

What is the problem?If the the pollution is coming from just one

source: single source pollutionMany sources: non-point pollution7 types of water pollution: surface water

pollution, oxygen depleting pollution, ground water pollution, nutrient pollution, microbiological pollution, suspended matter pollution, and chemical pollution

Surface Water PollutionFound on the exterior of the earth’s crust,

surface waters are natural resources on earth:LakesOceansRivers

When these waters become polluted, it becomes surface water pollution

Oxygen DepletingMicroorganisms in the water eat

biodegradable substancesToo much biodegradable material added to

the water, amount of microorganisms increase, using up all the oxygen

When oxygen levels are lowered, aerobic microorganisms die and anaerobic microorganisms’ population increases

They are harmful to people, animals, and the environment, due to harmful toxins they produce

Ground Water PollutionA large amount of earth’s water is found in

aquifers under groundTo get access to these aquifers, you have to

build wellsIt becomes ground water pollution when this

water becomes pollutedCaused by pesticide contamination from soil,

causes health problems by infecting drinking water

Nutrient PollutionNutrients are essential for development and

plant growthMany are found in fertilizers and wastewater,

causing excessive algae and weed growthThis can:

Clog filtersContaminate drinking waterAlgae uses up the oxygen, leaving none for the

other marine life

Microbiological PollutionNatural form of water pollution caused by

microorganismsUsually only affect health of people in poorer

countries, due to the lack of treatment of waterMicroorganisms in water cause animals, fish,

and humans to become illMicroorganisms include:

BacteriaVirusesProtozoa

Suspended Matter PollutionSome pollutants can’t dissolve in water and

are too big to mix between the water molecules

Suspended particles settle at bottom. Harmful to marine life that lives on the floor of lakes and/or rivers

Biodegradable substances increase the amount of anaerobic microorganisms, which decreases oxygen

Toxic chemicals suspended in water can effect the development and survival of marine life

Chemical PollutionSolvents and metals from industrial work are

poisonous to aquatic life and slow development and cause infertility mainly in rivers and lakes

Pesticides from farms run-off into the water and poison aquatic life. Birds, humans, and other animals can be effected if they eat infected fish

Petroleum comes from oil spills and can cause the death of many fish. They also stick to feathers of seabirds, causing them to lose the ability to fly

What is causing it?There are 8 main causes of water pollution:

Sewage and wastewaterMarine dumpingIndustrial wasteRadioactive wasteOil pollutionUnderground storage leakagesAtmospheric depositionGlobal warmingEutrophication

Sewage and wastewaterWater that contains feces, urine, and laundry

wasteSewage contaminates the environment and

causes diseaseSewage is carried away from the home and

put through sewage pipesIt is then treated and the waste is put into the

sea

Marine dumpingLitter takes large amounts of times to

degradeQuick Facts:

Newspaper: 6 weeks to degradeStyrofoam: 80 years to degradePlastic packing: 400 years to degradeGlass takes so long to degrade that scientists

are still unknown about how long it takes

Industrial wasteMany industrial facilities use fresh water to

take away the waste, putting it in rivers, lakes, and oceans

Pollutants include:LeadMercuryOilsPhosphates

Radioactive wasterProduced from scientific, medical, and

industrial processesNuclear-fuel reprocessing plants in northern

Europe have the biggest source of man-made nuclear waste

Oil pollutionOceans are polluted by oil almost everyday

Oil spills make up 12% or oil in the oceanOil spills are usually localized, and are terrible

for the surrounding marine lifeOil cannot dissolve in water and forms thick

sludge

Underground storage leaksOften, a tank underground hold petroleum

and is harmful to the environment that surrounds it

Overtime, the steel corrodes and causes leaks

Global warmingThe death of aquatic life is due to the

increase in temperatureCoral bleaching is caused by a rise in water

temperatureCreates damage to the reef, which is what

much of the aquatic life depends on

EutrophicationWhen the environment becomes rich with

nutrients, becomes eutrophicationCauses algal blooms in lakes

Atmospheric DepositionPollution of water caused by air pollution

Example: Acid Rain

How do human interferences connect?“"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a

mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides resulting from fossil fuel combustion” (“What Is Acid Rain?”)

Acid rain continuedSo basically, acid rain happens due to the

emissions from cars. These gases react in the atmosphere with

oxygen, water, and other chemicals. It results in sulfur acid and nitric acid, which

is carried by the wind, occasionally blowing hundreds of miles

Dangers of water pollutionHarmful to health of animals and humansIt disrupts the food chain by poisoning

marine life that humans and animals consumeIt harms our water supply, which we need to

live and plants need to survive

Water pollution in ChinaMany rivers that are needed for water and

fishing are constantly contaminated by nearby factories and dumping by locals

“This March, more than 2,000 dead pigs were found floating in a Shanghai river, a main water source for the city's 23 million residents.”

“Polluted water sources have been linked to a rise in "cancer villages," or areas where cancer rates are high among people who live along tainted waterways.”

Pictures of China

What if it continues?If water pollution continues, many species

could be wiped outThe chemicals could kill many of the aquatic

marine lifeA vital food source would also be lost due to

the large amount of fish deathsMany animals would lose their source of food

and water

The water cycleThe most obvious cycle that would be

effected is the water cycleIf the water cycle starts out with polluted

water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, those chemicals could circulate throughout the earth

They could eventually get into the water we drink and get us sick

Ways you can helpTurn off your water. This reduces the amount

of water that needs treatmentDon’t throw litter and oils down the drainDon’t overuse pesticides and fertilizers

because it will cause run-offsAnd obviously, don’t throw littler into rivers,

lakes, and oceans

Websites"What Is Acid Rain?" EPA. Environmental

Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 01 June 2013.

"Water Pollution." Water Pollution. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2013.

"If You Think China's Air Is Bad, You Should See The Water." Business Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2013.

"Ocean Waves Wallpaper - HD Wallpaper." Ocean Waves Wallpaper. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 June 2013.