0. 5.2 Detection & Monitoring of Pollution

1. Sub-subtopics
5.2.1 Describe two direct methods of monitoring pollution Define the term biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and explain how this indirect method is used to assess pollution levels in water Describe and explain an indirect method of measuring pollution levels using a biotic index.

2. 5.2.1 Methods of Monitoring Where to start? What to do? AIR WATER LAND
DIRECT
INDIRECT
CHANGES
Gradients
Time periods
Transects
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3. 5.2.1 Monitoring AIR Quality
Particulate Matter (PM)
Removed by rain
Sheets of glue-coated or Vaseline coated paper with grids for standard amount of time.
microscope/magnifying lens
% coverage
# of specimens
Number
Size
Location
Sources of error?

4. 5.2.1 Monitoring AIR Quality
Secondary Data Sources:
Czech Republic - ČHMI
EU - AirMonTech
U.S. - EPA
China - AQICN
India - CPCB
Brazil - MMA
Australia - AGDE
South Africa - SAAQIS
Egypt - EEAA-EIMP
Bangladesh - CASE
What they measure:
sulfur dioxide
oxides of nitrogen
ozone
VOC’s
particulate matter (sizes)

5. 5.2.1 Monitoring LAND Quality
Soil (edaphic) factors
physical properties
chemical properties
biological properties
processes
characteristics
No one measure is an indicator:
texture
density
infiltration
water retention
organic matter
mineral content (N, P, K)
microbial biomass
soil respiration
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6. 5.2.1 Monitoring SOIL Quality
Secondary Data Sources:
World - HWSD and ISRIC
Czech Republic - ČPS
EU - JRC’s LUCAS
U.S. - NRCS
China - MLR
India - IISS (for soil types)
Russia - VINITI
Australia - GRDC and soilquality.org
South Africa - ARC-ISCW
Bangladesh
What they measure:
same as last slide
degradation/aggradation
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7. 5.2.1 Monitoring WATER Quality
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Direct Sampling Methods
(chemical indicators)
salinity (probe)
pH (probe; universal indicator paper)
temperature (probe)
Dissolved Oxygen (DO probe)
wave action
flow velocity (orange)
turbidity (secchi disk)
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
nitrates (NO3- probe; test kit)
ammonia (NH3 probe; test kit)
phosphate (probe; test kit)
conductivity (probe)

8. 5.2.1 Monitoring WATER Quality
Secondary Data Sources:
Czech Republic - ČHMI
EU - WISE
U.S. - NWQMC
China - IPE
India - CPCB’s NWMP
Russia - VINITI
Brazil - ANA
Australia - NWQMS
South Africa - WMS
Egypt - EMWIS-EG
Bangladesh- BWDB
What they measure:
same as last slide
hardness
potability
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9. 5.2.2 B.O.D. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
First done in England 1912
measures organic pollution in H2O (aerobic bacteria & fungus)
units: mg (O2 consumed)/L
usually 5 days incubation at 20 ºC
68% of BOD exerted after this time
tests vary 10-20%
Indirect method
Chemical Oxygen Demand
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10. 5.2.2 B.O.D. Steps for measuring Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
Sample H2O of measured volume
Measure the O2 level (probe)
Place sample in a dark, 20 ºC place for 5 days
Why in the dark?
After 5 days, remeasure O2
BOD5 = (Step 2 - Step 4) / L
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11. 5.2.2 B.O.D. (greater per capita water use)
The greater the organic matter (nutrient load), the greater the BOD5 number
sewage
fertilizer
runoff
detergents
others?
Municipal sewage (3-stage process): BOD ~20 mg/L
Untreated sewage
Europe: BOD ~600 mg/L
U.S.: BOD ~200 mg/L
(greater per capita water use)
What is ppm?
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12. Eastern European Sewers
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13. 5.2.2 Nutrients in European Freshwater
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The greater the organic matter (nutrient load), the greater the BOD5 number
sewage
fertilizer
runoff
detergents
others?

14. 5.2.3 Biotic Indicators Another indirect method: Indicator Species
tolerant of organic pollution and/or low O2 levels
intolerant of organic pollution and/or low O2 levels
More dangerous in summer
solubility of O2 as temperature
warm organic pollutants do the same
Tubifex vs. mayfly nymph?
Others: fish, underwater plant life, algae (diatoms), bacteria (fecal coli)
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15. 5.2.3 Trent Biotic Index Based on disappearances Measures diversity
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Based on disappearances
Measures diversity
Generally, pollution , diversity
abundance may be high, but low richness
Maximum value = 10

16. 5.2.3 Trent Biotic Index
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