Download - Water Pollution Chapter 19
Water Pollution
Chapter 19
“Today everybody is downwind or downstream from somebody else.”
William Ruckelshaus
Key ConceptsTypes, sources and effects of water pollution
Major pollution problems of surface water
Major pollution problems of groundwater
Reduction and prevention of water pollution
Drinking water quality
Types and Sources of Water Pollution
Fig. 19-3 p. 485
Point and Nonpoint SourcesNONPOINT SOURCES
Urban streets
Suburban development
Wastewater treatment plant
Rural homes
Cropland
Factory
Animal feedlot
POINT SOURCES
Pollution of StreamsOxygen sag curve Factors influencing recovery
Pollution of Lakes
Fig. 19-7 p. 491
Eutrophication
Slow turnover
Thermal stratification
Case Study: The Great Lakes
Low flow ratesFew bacteria
Groundwater Pollution: SourcesCold temperatures
Fig. 19-10 p. 494
Coal strip mine runoff
Pumping well
Waste lagoon
Accidental spills
Groundwater flow
Confined aquifer
Discharge
Leakage from faulty casing
Hazardous waste injection wellPesticides
Gasoline station
Buried gasoline and solvent tank
Sewer
Cesspool septic tank
De-icing road salt
Unconfined freshwater aquifer
Confined freshwater aquifer
Water pumping well Landfill
Groundwater Pollution Prevention
Monitoring aquifersLeak detection systemsStrictly regulating hazardous waste disposalStoring hazardous materials above ground
Ocean Pollution
Case Study: Chesapeake Bay
Fig. 19-14 p. 500
Largest US estuaryRelatively shallowSlow “flushing” action to AtlanticMajor problems with dissolved O2
Oil SpillsSources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and storage tanksEffects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smotheringSignificant economic impactsMechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blottersChemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents
Solutions: Preventing and Reducing Surface Water Pollution
Reduce runoffBuffer zone vegetationReduce soil erosion
Clean Water ActWater Quality Act
Nonpoint sources Point sources
Technological Approach: Septic Systems
Require suitable soils and maintenance
Technological Approach: Sewage Treatment
Mechanical and biological treatment
Technological Approach: Advanced Sewage Treatment
Removes specific pollutants
Technological Approach: Using Wetlands to Treat Sewage
Drinking Water Quality
Fig. 19-11 p. 495
Bottled water
Safe Drinking Water Act
Maximum contaminant levels