Science 9: Unit C: Environmental Chemistry Topic 5: Getting Away From It All

Environmental Monitoring  The ongoing analysis and observation of the health of ecosystems.  All wastes entering an ecosystem have the potential to harm the area.  There are two kinds of wastes: –1. Persistent – Wastes that do not break down in a short amount of time. –2. Non-Persistent – Wastes that do break down in a reasonable amount of time.

Environmental Monitoring - Water  A key form of environmental monitoring is checking the water quality of the ecosystem. There are two methods of studying water quality: chemical and biological indicators.  Studying the clarity (or clearness) of water is not effective since pollutants can be dissolved in water leaving it clear.

Chemical Indicators of Water Quality  Chemical Indicators – Testing water for certain chemicals (phosphates, nitrates, heavy metals, and dissolved oxygen).  Also water is tested for pH. Anything lower than 5 and the water becomes too acidic for most animals to survive.

Biological Indicators  Biological Indicators – Studying the numbers and kinds of animals that are living in the ecosystem.  A larger than usual amount of worms, leeches, and larvae indicate that the water is polluted.

Point and Non-Point Sources of Pollution  Point Sources – Specific locations which give off pollution that can Pollutants entering the environments DIRECTLY from SPECIFIC locations are point sources. These are easy to monitor and control.  Non-Point Sources - Pollutants that enter the environment indirectly from many different sources.

The Four R’s of Environmentalism  Reuse  Recycle  Reduce – The ‘best’ of the R’s.  Recover