1. 8.E.1 Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans. 8.E.1.3 Predict the safety and potability of water supplies in North Carolina based on physical and biological factors, including: Temperature, Dissolved oxygen, pH, Nitrates and phosphates, Turbidity, Bio-indicators 8.E.1.4 Conclude that the good health of humans requires: Monitoring of the hydrosphere, Water quality standards, Methods of water treatment, Maintaining safe water quality, Stewardship

2. Two Types of Pollution One is easier to control than the other!

3. Types of Water Pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the guidelines for what qualifies as a healthy body of water.
Potable – Describes water that is safe to drink

4. Two Types of Pollution One is easier to control than the other!
Point Source Pollution
Non Point Source Pollution

5. Two Types of Pollution One is easier to control than the other
Point Source Pollution
any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.
Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources.

6. Nonpoint Source Pollution
Pollution discharged over a wide land area, not from one specific location. Non-point source pollution is contamination that occurs when rainwater, snowmelt, or irrigation washes off plowed fields, city streets, or suburban backyards. As this runoff moves across the land surface, it picks up soil particles and pollutants, such as nutrients and pesticides.

7. Identify each of the following as point source or nonpoint source pollution:
Runoff

8. 103 Freshwater Y Chart
Physical
Biological
Chemical

9. Physical variables include temperature, turbidity.
The health of a water system is determined by the balance between physical, chemical, and biological variables.
Physical variables include temperature, turbidity.

10. Chemical variables include dissolved oxygen and other gases, pH, nitrates and phosphates.
Both natural and man-made forces are constantly changing these variables.

11. Biological variables are living organisms.
Bio-indicators are living organisms that require specific conditions in order to survive.
Their presence in waters, or lack of presence, is an indicator of the health of a water system.

12. Water Quality Indicator Notes Turbidity
Description: Murkiness of water due to suspended particles Levels: Ideal = 1NTU High = 5o NTU+

13. Turbidity Causes: Erosion from construction urban run off
disturbance of stream beds from bottom feeders/livestock
increased algal growth
septic system leaks
decaying plant matter
flooding

14. Turbidity Increase temperature Decrease in DO
Results:
Increase temperature
Decrease in DO
Clogs gills in some aquatic organisms

15. Temperature Amount of kinetic energy Description: Levels:
Low: cannot be tolerated below 00C
High: only rough fish can tolerate temperatures above 350C

16. Temperature Causes: Loss of shade from removal of vegetation
Thermal Pollution: industry discharge
seasonal temp changes
Results:
Decreased levels of DO
increased bacterial levels,
increased algae growth

17. pH Description: How acidic the water is Levels: 06 is acidic
7 is neutral
814 is basic
Surface Freshwater: 6.0 9.0

18. pH Cause: Acid rain minerals in soils Results:
Death of sensitive bio-indicators
Death or damage to plants

19. What is pH? 0-6 water is acidic 7 water is neutral 8-14 water is basic
Slide 20. Abiotic Factors-pH
pH is usually a number on a unitless scale, from 0 – being most acidic and 14 being most basic. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, with equal amounts of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
0-6 water is acidic
7 water is neutral
8-14 water is basic

20. What is the optimum freshwater pH?
Slide 21. Abiotic Factors-pH
The pH of rain depends on the amount of industrialization in the rainfall area. Air pollution from emissions from industry often produce carbonic, sulfuric and nitric acids which lower the pH.
The water which drains a limestone area high in bicarbonates can raise the pH of the water as high as 8.5.
Aquatic organisms are VERY sensitive to changes in pH.
Rainfall: 5 – 6.5
Most freshwater systems:
Most aquatic organisms: 6.5 – 8.2

21. Dissolved Oxygen Description: Oxygen gas dissolved in water
O2 enters water through photosynthesis and churning water
Levels:
4-5 ppm optimal to support life  

22. Dissolved Oxygen Cause: Increased Temp Decaying plant material Effect:
Less diversity of bio-indicators
fish-kills

23. Nitrates & Phosphates Description: Excess nutrients Level:
Nitrates above 1 ppm unhealthy
Phosphates above .003 ppm unhealthy

24. Nitrates & Phosphates Cause: Fertilizer run off Animal waste
Leaking septic systems
Manure pits (hog farms, etc)
Average Level:
Eutrophication – overgrowth of algae (pond scum)
Low DO

26. EUTROPHICATION FLOW CHART Excess Nutrients  Algal Bloom (pond scum)  darkness below surface  photosynthesis stops  decomposers & other organisms use up oxygen  DEATH (gradual buildup of dying plant matter the pond becomes a meadow)

28. Bio-Indicators Description:
Macro-invertebrates living in water that are sensitive to pollution
Level:
Large numbers and diversity

29. Bio-Indicators Cause: Increased levels of pollution Result:
Less diversity of organisms
Fewer organisms

31. Hardness Description: The amount of calcium and magnesium in the water
These elements are needed for plant walls and shells/skeletons of aquatic organisms
Levels:
Hard water has high levels of Ca & Mg
Soft water has low levels of Ca & Mg

32. Hardness
Cause:
Water dissolves these minerals out of soil and rocks. Ground water tends to be harder than surface water
Result:
Low levels of Ca support only a small amount of plant and animal life
High levels can contribute to algae problems