Water Pollution Chapter 21

Major water pollutants Infectious agents –Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites Source – human and animal waste Effect - disease

Major water pollutants Oxygen Demanding Wastes –Organic waste like manure and plant debris Effect – decomposing bacteria population soars, leads to lower dissolved oxygen

Major water pollutants Inorganic chemicals –Water soluble acids, metals (Pb, As, Se, Hg), and salts Source – surface runoff, industrial effluent, household cleansers Effect – degrade drinking water, skin cancer, damage nervous system, lower crop yield, corrode structures

Major water pollutants Organic chemicals –Oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, solvents, detergents Source – industrial effluents, household cleansers, runoff from agriculture and yards Effect – nervous system damage, reproductive disorders, cancer (oil, gas, solvents)

Major water pollutants Plant Nutrients –Nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium ions Source – sewage, manure, runoff urban and agricultural Effect – cultural eutrophication, drinking water with excess nitrates lowers oxygen carrying capacity of blood

Major water pollutants Sediment –Soil, silt Source – land erosion Effect – cloud water (less photosynthesis), disrupt food webs, carry pesticides, cover breeding areas, fill lakes prematurely

Major water pollutants Radioactive Materials –Iodine, radon, uranium, cesium, and thorium Source – nuclear power plants, mining, nuclear weapons, natural sources Effect – genetic mutations, miscarriages, birth defects

Major water pollutants Heat Source – water cooling of power plants, industrial effluent Effect – less dissolved oxygen, more vulnerable to disease, quick change cause thermal shock