Envi Sci

Brianna Barkus

Essential Question-How do humans affect the Earth’s natural cycles?

Essential Question-How do humans affect the Earth’s natural cycles?

Warm-up- Write a one paragraph hypothesis of whether you think the Gulf of Mexico will be impacted in the future due to the oil spill in 2010 (4.9 million barrels of oil were spilled!). Use facts from the movie.

Water Pollution

Where do Water pollutants come from?Where do Water pollutants come from?

Point Sources – A single definable source of the pollution, e.g. a factory, a sewage plant, etc. Point-source pollution is usually monitored and regulated.

Non-point sources – No one single source, but a wide range of sources, e.g. runoff from urban areas, or farmland. Non-point sources are much more difficult to monitor and control.

Pollution of Water Pollution of Water

1. Industrial pollution2. Surface pollution3. Groundwater contamination4. Sewage pollution5.Oil pollution6.Thermal pollution

Sources of Water pollutionSources of Water pollution

Water pollutantsWater pollutants

Industrial EffluentsThis waste water may contain acids, alkalis, salts, poisons, oils and in some cases harmful bacteria.

Mining and Agricultural WastesMines, especially gold and coal mines, are responsible for large quantities of acid water.

Agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides may wash into rivers and stagnant water bodies.

Sewage Disposal and Domestic WastesSewage as well as domestic and farm wastes were often allowed to pollute rivers and dams.

Water pollutionWater pollution

Non-persistent (degradable) Water pollutants

Non-persistent (degradable) Water pollutants

Domestic sewage Fertilizers Some industrial wastes

Non-persistent (degradable)water pollutantsNon-persistent (degradable)water pollutants

These compounds can be broken down by chemical reactions or by natural bacteria into simple, non-polluting substances such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

if the pollution load is high, this process can lead to low oxygen levels and eutrophication.

This damage is reversible.

Persistent Water pollutantsPersistent Water pollutants

some pesticides (e.g., DDT, dieldrin) some leachate components from landfill sites

(municipal, industrial) petroleum and petroleum products PCBs, dioxins, polyaromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs) radioactive materials such as strontium-90,

cesium-137, radium-226, and uranium metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium

Persistent Water pollutantsPersistent Water pollutants

This is the most rapidly growing type of pollution

This includes substances that degrade very slowly or cannot be broken down at all;

They may remain in the aquatic environment for years or longer periods of time.

The damage they cause is either irreversible or repairable only over decades or centuries

Other water quality pollutantsOther water quality pollutants

warm water from cooling towers (thermal pollution)

floating debris garbage foam These physical pollutants interfere mainly

with the usability and/or aesthetic appeal of the water. In certain cases, thermal pollution can kill fish.

Industrial Water pollution Industrial Water pollution

Industries discharge a variety of pollutants in their wastewater including heavy metals , resin pellets, organic toxins, oils, nutrients, and solids.

Eutrophication Eutrophication

Increases in nutrient loading may lead to eutrophication .

Organic wastes such as sewage impose high oxygen demands on the receiving water leading to oxygen depletion.

Sediment PollutionSediment Pollution

Sediment PollutionSediment Pollution

Acid rainAcid rain

Acid rain is formed when moisture in the clouds mixes with sulfur or nitrogen in the air.

Acid rain includes rain, sleet or snow with a pH level that falls below 5.6 (normal rainwater).

The sulfur and nitrogen get into the air by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline. The average pH of rainfall is 4.3.

River pollutionRiver pollution

Asian rivers are the most polluted in the world.

Three times as many bacteria from human waste as the global average

20 times more lead than rivers in industrialized countries.

Mass fish killsMass fish kills

Plastic waste in waterPlastic waste in water

Each year, plastic waste in water and coastal areas kills up to:

100,000 marine mammals, 1 million sea birds, and countless fish.

Oil Pollution of water Oil Pollution of water

Both Point and Nonpoint Sources Largest source of oil pollution is pipeline

leaks and runoff– 61% ocean oil pollution river & urban

runoff– 30% intentional discharges from

tankers– 5% accidental spills from tankers

Safe Drinking Water Act set the maximum contaminant level for

drinking water Clean Water Act pertained to improving quality of rivers,

lakes, aquifers, estuaries, and coastal waters

Laws Controlling Water Pollution

Water Pollution FoldableWater Pollution Foldable Create foldable of the 4 different types of water

pollution.– INdustry– Mining– Agricultural– Sewage

Describe the pollutant and decide whether it is a persistent pollutant or nonpersistent.

Finally describe how this pollutant could be a point source or a nonpoint source (Yes it could be both, just tell me why!)