1. Water Quality Vol. 4: Types of Pollution

2. I. Pollution vs. Pollutants
Pollution -human-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of water.
Pollution is caused by activities that affect overall water quality.
A few examples of pollution are:
damming of rivers to create reservoirs
channelization and levee construction for flood control,
impacts from recreational activities or urban development.

3. I. Pollution vs. Pollutants
A pollutant is a substance that can cause pollution.
Sediments, heavy metals, pesticides, and nutrients are examples of pollutant categories.
Elevated levels of one pollutant alone or in conjunction with other pollutants can cause adverse effects to the quality of the aquatic environment.
Although some pollutants are from natural sources, most originate from man-made sources.

4. II. Types of Pollution
A. Physical- this involves change in the physical environment of the body of water.
Sometimes these are classified as “sediment” pollution
Damming
Dredging

5. A. Physical/Sediment Pollution
Channelization
Erosion
Dumping

6. B. Chemical Pollution
Anything that changes the chemical characteristics of a body of water including chemicals that may naturally occur in the water
Includes nutrient pollution
For example:
Chemical/oil spills
Industrial Waste

7. B. Chemical Pollution Fertilizer runoff Road runoff Landfill seepage
Acid mine drainage

8. C. Toxic Pollution
This includes introducing any chemical not normally found in freshwater that kills organisms in the water.
Examples include
Oil/gasoline
Industrial spills/waste
Mine waste
Radioactive waste
Prescription drugs
Pesticides

9. D. Thermal pollution
This is the release of water of a different temperature than the body of water it enters. Warmer water can decrease oxygen levels and increase the metabolism, harming aquatic life.
Examples:
Coolant water from power plants and industry
Deforestation
Increases in turbidity
Dam discharge

11. E. Biological Pollution
A change in the number and type of organisms found in a body of water.
Includes animals and microbes.
Examples
Invasive species-organisms not normally found in the area
Stocking fish

12. E. Biological Pollution
Agricultural runoff
Untreated sewage overflow