Water Pollution

By D.Mishra

Water pollution
Defined as any contamination of water that lessens its value to humans and other species Point-source water pollution: source with a well-defined location (factory pipe) Non-point source water pollution: source is over large areas such as farmlands, stream banks, roadsides, etc.

Most atmospheric pollution is nonpoint source

Pollution control

Output control: pollution control technologies, deal with pollutants after produced Input control: pollution prevention, dont make the pollutant

Sediment pollution
Major problem From natural and human sources; increased due to damage to watersheds Damage: turbines in hydroelectric plants, clogs irrigation canals, fills in rivers, algae (decreased photosynthesis), fish, human water supply Input control: soil erosion control Output control: divert water to swamps, marshes

Inorganic nutrient pollution

Large quantities of essential nutrients (N and P) from agricultural fertilizers, domestic sewage, and livestock wastes Eutrophication: nutrient enrichment of aquatic ecosystems Lake types:

Oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) Mesotrophic (moderate level of nutrients) Eutrophic (high nutrient levels)

Inorganic nutrient pollution

Algal blooms:

Destroy aesthetics of lake Produce bad taste and odor Build up of dead algal and bluegreen algae (produce cyanobacterial toxins) Reduce O2 levels in lake
Chilka Lake

Blue-green algae

Inorganic nutrient pollution

Control of eutrophication:

Output:

Upgrade wastewater treatment plants Detention basins Herbicides Ban P detergents Reduce or change use of fertilizers

Input:

Thermal pollution

Increase in water temperature that adversely affects organisms that live there (cooling equipment) Thermal plume: area that is warmed from a cooling water discharge

Thermal pollution

Biological effects:

Reduction in dissolved oxygen (increase temp) Interference with reproduction Vulnerability to disease Direct mortality (thermal shock) Invasion of destructive organisms Changes in algal population Destruction of animals in cooling water intake
Prevent frost, aquaculture, fish growth

Beneficial effects:

Thermal pollution

Input Control

Efficient energy use Limit amount of released water

Cooling towers: transfer heat of water to atmosphere (Problems: Produce a lot of fog; loss of water from ecosystem; introduce chemical contaminants; eyesores; expensive) Return heated water to less ecologically sensitive zone Allow water to cool in holding tanks

Output Control

Disease-producing organisms

Infectious microorganisms derived from animal and human wastes Disease Typhoid Fever Organism Bacterium

Cholera
Travelers dysentery Amoebic dysentery

Bacterium
Amoeba Amoeba

Infectious hepatitis
Polio

Virus
virus

Disease-producing organisms

Pfiesteria: dinoflagelate causing problems for fish factors promoting Pfiesteria growth include: warm, brackish, poorly flushed waters and high levels of nutrients

Disease-producing organisms
Control: good sewage treatment and water purification is essential Many pathogens; use coliform bacteria as indicator

Domestic sewage = 2 to 3 million Unsafe drinking water >2 coliform / 100 ml Unsafe swimming > 200 coliform / 100 ml

Toxic organic pollutants

Chemicals made of C and H that are synthesized in chemical factories (drugs, plastics, solvents, pesticides, etc.) Tend to be persistent (halogenated compounds; Cl, F, Br) and some are toxic

Groundwater contamination: coming from a variety of sources (landfills, industry, agriculture, mining, etc.)

Groundwater contamination

Toxic organic pollutants

Nonpoint source pollutant for entire world: no boundaries Bioaccumulation and biomagnification is an issue for many organic pollutants

Toxic organic pollutants

Persistent chemicals have some practical uses

Stain resistant fabric (e.g. ScotchGard) Durable fabric Nylon, Dacron

Flame retardants in foam rubber and fabric prevent fires organo-bromines, organochlorines and flourines

Long lasting foam padding - polyurethanes Surface treatments, sealants and glues organosilicones
F F F F FF FF F

Scotchgard
F FF FF FF F O S O O- K+

Toxic organic pollutants

Output control: stack scrubbers, waste processing, sediment removal Input control: reduce use, produce less persistent chemicals, worldwide regulations

Heavy metal pollution

Heavy metals

highly toxic elements such as lead and mercury Many sources: mines, mine tailings, coal-fire plants, etc. (nonpoint sources) Cannot be degraded (persistent) Toxic: interfere with enzymes Mercury: converted into methyl mercury (MeHg) by sediment microbes; biomagnifies

Fish consumption guidelines

Heavy metal pollution

Reducing exposure:

Remove heavy metals from use (e.g., pipes, solder) Pre-treating industrial waste Tighter air pollution rules

Organic and metal contaminants

Oxygen-demanding organic waste

Naturally occurring organic wastes and human-produced wastes (sewage), which through decomposition in aquatic systems, consume oxygen Biological/biochemical oxygen demand (BOD): the amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organics in one liter of water were oxidized by bacteria and protozoa

Oxygen-demanding organic waste

Oxygen-demanding organic waste

Output control: reduce organic waste released, settling ponds. Input control: compost, reduce release

Pollution of Oceans

Sewage: dumping creates low oxygen zones with high contaminant levels.

12 MOST ABUNDANT TRASH ITEMS ON THE BEACH cigarette butts plastic pieces glass pieces plastic food bags/wrappers plastic straws foamed plastic pieces plastic caps/lids paper pieces plastic beverage bottles metal bottle caps glass beverage bottles metal beverage cans

Pollution of Oceans

Dredge Spoils: sediment scooped from harbors and rivers; contain contaminants Plastic Pollution: ocean seriously polluted with plastic; kills marine life; persistent; heavy use; fish nets

Oil Pollution of Oceans