Ryan, Ghalia, Roy Mrs.

Maaliki Chemistry 10(2) April 3, 14

Environmental Chemistry Project

Introduction: Is drinking water a privilege or a right?

On 28 July 2010, through resolution 64/292, the United Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to achieving the minimum human standard of living. However, drinking water remains a privilege. 783 million people still lack access to clean drinking water. Conditions continue to get worse as droughts and pollution hit already suffering areas. It's also important to note that drinking water is a bottled and priced consumer good, but this leads us to the next question. If water is being polluted, what pollutes it?

Research Topic #3 - Answers to the question

Question #1: How Does Water Get Polluted?

We all know about human carelessness at the beach or the river can lead to water pollution, but that is truly minor in comparison to other human activities. For example, one of the most common issues is industrial discharge. Which leaves entire rivers unable to sustain life and without safe drinking water. As for our seas and oceans, oil spills and engines depositing crude oil as they travel across our waters continues to harm the marine. Another serious problem is the tossing of toxins and mastic which are not biodegradable, pollute water, and kill wildlife. Question #2: What are different kinds of pollution? There are many types of pollution. According to the dictionary, air pollution is the contamination of air by smoke and harmful gases, mainly oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. Land pollution is the degradation of the earths surface caused by incorrect waste disposal. Another type of pollution is cause by improper lighting of communities. It is not very known however; it causes the night sky to brighten hindering the perceptibility of stars. Noise pollution is any sound that may be harmful or annoying to humans. Thermal pollution is caused by human activity and increases the temperature of water reservoirs. Visual pollution is anything that may damage the attractiveness of nearby landscapes. Water pollution is the contamination of any body of water.

Question #3: How can laws and regulations protect oceans and rivers? The worlds oceans are protected from unnecessary pollution by many laws and regulations however, they vary from each continent or country. Laws and regulations can protect surface inland waters and coastal water from pollution by regulating the collection and treatment of urban wastewater. They can decrease the amount of water pollution as well as spread awareness of the problems we face.

Question #4 & 5: How can communities help to protect their local water supplies? In how much of the earths water is salt water found in oceans and seas?

People who live in communities that have their own local water supply should strive to keep that water supply clean. We should all ensure that no waste is thrown into local rivers or lakes. We could accomplish this by disposing of any materials that can be recycled to make sure that no harmful materials end up in water supply. Minimizing chemical use near water supplies would reduce the amount of chemicals found in water bodies that can harm ecosystems and increase the acidity of water. 97.5% of the Earths water is salt water.

Quiz questions:

1- What pollutes water? 2- Name three types of pollution? 3- How can laws protect oceans and rivers? 4- How can we keep our local water supply clean? 5- What percent of the earths water do you think is salt water?

Quiz Administrants

Omar Alkhoja:

1- nitrogen, sulfur, acids 2- air, land, and water 3- government can put tax on companies with high carbon emission 4- by educating the masses on the benefits of clean water 5- 85+%

Walid Hamade:

1- oil 2- doesnt know 3- making consequences if anyone pollutes the oceans or rivers 4- raise awareness to not pollute, security near water bodies 5- 70%

Karim Kibbi:

1- from the people. Human activity 2- water pollution, air pollution, sewage

3- by not letting people throw things in water bodies 4- by not throwing sewage 5- 20%

Carla Barrage:

1- trash/waste/sewage/factories 2- air pollution/ water pollution 3- controlling carbon emissions, allocated trash areas 4- by controlling the sewage disposal, controlling dumping of trash 5- 80%

Noor Barrage:

1- Trash 2- Water pollution, land pollution, air pollution 3- They can help prevent unnecessary waste 4- Filters/ fluoride tablets 5- 81% Malek Chaar:

1- waste products, chemicals, sewage 2- water pollution air pollution and land 3- by regulating the amount of waste that can be thrown into water 4- theres nothing we can do as individuals 5- 70%

Additional information:

Sites http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/lawsandconventions.html http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35456#.Uz1kuuB2qkg

Picture http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/water-pollution