Environmental Issues

Pollution The presence of a SUBSTANCE in water, air, or soil that makes them OFFENSIVE to humans.

WATER Is one of our most precious RESOURCES

Water Water that is suitable for DRINKING is referred to as POTABLE water

Sources of Pollution Oil Products Soil Erosion Animal and Human Waste Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides High temperature water discharge

An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment Eutrophication An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment

Nutrients Nutrients in water are expressed in terms of PARTS PER MILLIONS (PPM)

Nitrates Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION

Sources of Nitrates Animal Waste Human Waste Chemical fertilizers Dead and decaying organisms

Eutrophication One of the first INDICATIONS of eutrophication in water is the presence of ALGAE

Eutrophication Also known as POND SCUM

Sewage Treatment Plants Septic Tanks Waste Lagoons Waste Control Sewage Treatment Plants Septic Tanks Waste Lagoons

Sewage Treatment Plants Larger towns and cities Treat waste water to remove B.O.D. Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, & UV Light Tremonton, Brigham City

Settling tank and Drain Field Septic Tanks Used in rural areas Settling tank and Drain Field Will not work if area is densely populated

Waste Lagoons Used in dairies, feed lots, and some towns and cities Logan and Perry Animal waste is stored in a settling pond where it is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria

Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water Water Pollution Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water

Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers Ground water Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers

Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers Surface Water Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers

Non-Point Source Pollution Pollution that originates from many sources

Point source pollution Pollution that results from a single source

Erosion Our largest environmental problem Wasting away of soil by wind or water

Two main problems of erosion The loss of Topsoil The pollution of water by the erosion of soil

Soil Erosion Damage Loss of topsoil Pollution of rivers and streams Kills fish and plants

Soil Conservation Service An agency organized to help prevent the loss of topsoil and to stop erosion caused by the washing away of soil.

Examples of soil conservation practices Windbreaks Terracing Crop rotation (summer fallow) Contour plowing No-till and minimum till planting

A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year Wetlands A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year

Wetlands provide several roles Habitat Filtering of water Water storage Flood prevention

EPA Regulations Restrict use Incentives to preserve wetlands Permit must be obtained before land can be disturbed