1. Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Water Pollution
Nitrogen and Phosphorus

2. D24
Explain how the accumulation of mercury, phosphates and nitrates affects the quality of water and the organisms that live in rivers, lakes and oceans.

3. Learning Targets I can explain the causes of nutrient pollution.
I can explain the effects of nutrient pollution.
I can identify ways to reduce nutrient pollution.

4. What is water pollution?
Water pollution is any contamination of water with chemicals or other foreign substances that are detrimental to human, plant, or animal health.
Reference:
Water Pollution
NIEHS (2012)

5. What is an impaired water?
Waters which are not suitable for their designated uses
They can no longer be used for drinking, irrigation, industry, recreation or fishing

6. Water Pollution

7. What is nutrient pollution?
An environmental problem caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water
What is the role of N and P in aquatic ecosystems?
Supports the growth of algae and aquatic plants (this is normal)

8. What happens when there is excess N & P in a body of water?
Eutrophication
Causes an algal bloom

9. What happens as a lake starts to become eutrophic?
Algae can overtake the body of water, turning it green
Overgrowth of plants choke water movement

10. What are the later stages of eutrophication?
Plants and algae use up all of the resources and they die
They use up the available oxygen as they decompose
Water that is low in oxygen = hypoxia

11. What happens if all of the dissolved oxygen is used up?
Water becomes anoxic
Creates a dead zone
chemistry.about.com

12. What are the 5 primary sources of nutrient pollution?
Agriculture
Stormwater
Wastewater
Fossil fuels
Pollution from in and around the house

13. What are the effects of nutrient pollution?
Human
Blue baby syndrome
Illness from HAB
Economic
Water treatment costs
Tourism losses
Commercial fishing and shellfish losses
Real estate losses
Environmental
Harmful algal blooms (HAB)
Hypoxic areas
Dead zones
Acid rain

14. How can we prevent nutrient pollution?
In our homes
Choose phosphate-free detergents, soaps, and household cleaners
Use the appropriate amount of detergent; more is not better
Always pick up after your pet
Proper septic system maintenance
Be energy efficient

15. How can we prevent nutrient pollution?
In our yards
Use fertilizer responsibly
Don't overwater gardens and yards
Landscape with native plants
In the community
Get involved

16. Learning Target Checkpoint
What causes nutrient pollution?
What are the effects of nutrient pollution?
How can you prevent nutrient pollution?