1. Point vs Nonpoint Source Pollution Water Quality Indicators notes
Date
Session #
Activity
Page #
12/12-13
Storm water impact
Point vs Nonpoint Source Pollution
Water Quality Indicators notes
Pollution Tolerance Index Worksheet Practice
Fish Tank Water Quality
Warm Up: Stream Survey Form
Silently read through the Stream Data Collection Worksheet
Be prepared to discuss:
words you have never seen before
words you have seen before, but not in a science context
This is the data and evidence you will be collecting and analyzing at the creek next class period. Think about they types of activities and observations you require in order to have a successful survey for your group.

2. 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

3. Obj: Students will brainstorm indicators of water quality, closely read text to identify types & sources of water pollution, take notes on water quality indicators and predict & measure the water quality of the…fish tank  in preparation for the creek survey!

4. Human impact on storm water Storm water impact on streams
While watching the videos, consider: -the impact we have on storm water -the impact storm water has on our streams
Storm water video
Human impact on storm water
Storm water impact on streams

5. Two Types of Pollution One is easier to control than the other!
Point Source Pollution
Define
Examples
How can it be controlled?
Read and annotate the diagram. Be prepared to discuss:
The two types of water pollution and how one differs from the other
Examples of each
Which type is easier to control & why? Look for evidence in the text that supports
your response.

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

7. 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.
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.

8. Identify each of the following as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Explain your answers.1 2 3 4 5 6

9. The health of a water system is determined by the balance between physical, chemical, and biological variables. Physical variables include temperature, turbidity. Chemical variables include dissolved oxygen and other gases, pH, nitrates and phosphates. Both natural and man-made forces are constantly changing these variables. 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.

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

12. 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
Results:
Increase temperature
Decrease in DO
Clogs gills in some aquatic organisms

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

14. 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

15. pH Description: How acidic is the water Each level is a 10x difference
Levels:
06 is acidic
is neutral
814 is basic
Surface Freshwater: 6.0 9.0

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

17. What is the optimum freshwater pH?
Rainfall: 5 – 6.5
Most freshwater systems:
Most aquatic organisms: 6.5 – 8.2
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.

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

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

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

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

22. 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)

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

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

26. Different macro-invertebrates have different tolerances for pollution
If you can use only one indicator, this is the one to use.

27. Stream testers use the number
and variety of macro-invertebrates
found to assess water quality.
The most pollution sensitive organisms are worth more points. Organisms less sensitive to pollution, are worth less points.
Practice using this tool to assess
stream “health.”
Your table has a group of organisms
from stream A, B or C.
Use the worksheet and calculate the
Pollution Tolerance Index and score
for your stream.

28. Test the fish tank water
Read the directions for the test(s) in your group’s bin. Make sure you read them twice.
Conduct the test(s) on your sample of tank water
You will conduct those same tests at the creek next class. You will share your creek results with the class.

29. p
Back to our aquatic ecosystem…..the fish tank.
Indicator
Result
thoughts…..
Temperature pH
DO (dissolved Oxygen)
Nitrate
Phosphate
Turbidity
Coliform