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Published byStephen Casey Modified over 8 years ago
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Think for a few moments about each question. Try to answer them into your notes. What is water quality? Are all sources of water affected? How do the pollutants get there? What are some key pollutants?
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Physical, chemical, biological characteristics. Concerns for drinking water, human safety, and ecosystem health. Use scientific standards to test. Water sources affected: ◦ Most often surface water ◦ Ground water is more difficult to detect
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Industrial pollution is a major cause Runoff from agricultural areas (60%) Urban storm water runoff Discharge of untreated sewage (especially in developing countries where less money and governmental control prevents these accidents.)
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◦ Measures acidity of water. Range of 1-14. 7 is neutral. (rainwater is typically from 6-6.7, with acid rain around 5.5-6.5) Temperature ◦ Changes are not as frequent or dramatic as outside air temperature, water subject to ‘thermal pollution’ from factories and power plants. Impacts the wildlife that can live in the water. TDS ◦ Total dissolved solids –amount of material suspended in the water (not just floating on top) –can be minerals, organic material (like decaying leaves or animal waste), or soil ◦ Measured in ppm (parts per million –amount of solids per million drops of water)
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Nitrogen ◦ Natural nutrient in soil, animal waste, or fertilizer applied to land – high levels indicate runoff from animal or croplands, or spill from sewage ◦ Measured in ppm Phosphorus ◦ Natural nutrient in soil, animal waste, or fertilizer applied to land – high levels indicate runoff from animal or croplands, or spill from sewage ◦ Measured in ppm Hardness ◦ Indicates presence of minerals in water –natural ◦ High levels indicate many minerals have recently been dissolved or eroded (or runoff) into water, can make water cloudy (murky) and difficult for plants/animals to live
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Comes from one specific location
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Overflows of sanitary sewers Overflows of animal agriculture waste storage Illegal dumping Oil spills from barges in the ocean Smoke stacks from factories
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No specific dumping site Runoff, leaky pipes (septic tanks), landfills, pollutants trapped in the water cycle are carried long distances.
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Excess nutrients in the water cause explosive plant growth When many plants die, they produce a toxin (red algae) Decaying plants also reduce the amount of oxygen in the water Plant growth (like algae) can suffocate other life in a lake or pond.
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Gulf of Mexico
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Number one killer of children worldwide About 80% of all diseases are water-related (WHO) Often due to water infiltrated with sewage, spreading disease Bacteria, virus, or protozoa are resposible – can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted and can be in “clean looking” water Improvements in disposal and treatment have reduced number of illness in developed nations
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This woman is drinking from a “Life Straw” –said to filter particles and bacteria from water. San Diego, CA 11/30/08
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http://www.cdc.gov/Mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s904a1f2.gif
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