Water Pollution

Water pollution Any change in the physical or chemical condition of water that can harm organisms, including human beings. Alter taste and color Decrease dissolved oxygen Change pH

Pollutant Sources There are two types of pollutant sources that enter water ways, point and non point sources.

1. Point Source Single, identifiable , localized source of pollution. Example: oil spill, factory, dump

2. Nonpoint Source Many different source and locations, usually a result of run-off. Examples: fertilizers and pesticides from yards, oil from cars

Bioaccumulation Toxic materials threaten organisms as they move up the food chain.

Debris: solid wastes Degraded: broken down by chemical or physical processes Biodegradable: biologically broken down Decomposed by microorganisms (I.e. bacteria and fungi): enrich food supply Nonbiodegradable: persistent pollutants Example: glass, slowly eroded by water or air.

Land Use

What is a watershed? An area of land that drains into a particular creek, river, lake, or aquifer.

What watershed do you live in? Slaughter Creek Edwards Aquifer

Pervious or Impervious Permeable or Impermeable Impervious: land or surface that does not allow water to filter through Pervious: Land or surface that allows water to filter through the ground.

Practice Non- Point Source Pollution or Point Source Pollution