1. Water Quality Environmental Science Mr. Mead Environmental Science Mr. Mead

2. Water Quality Water Quality is a very general term explaining how safe the water is for consuption, contact, and the wildlife that depends on it. Almost an immeasurable amount of things can and do effect water quality DQ - name a few. Pollution, runoff, rain, erosion, wildlife, bacteria, human needs, time of year, location, sunlight, … Water Quality is a very general term explaining how safe the water is for consuption, contact, and the wildlife that depends on it. Almost an immeasurable amount of things can and do effect water quality DQ - name a few. Pollution, runoff, rain, erosion, wildlife, bacteria, human needs, time of year, location, sunlight, …

3. Water Pollution An obvious thing that can effect water quality is pollution Water pollution - anything that degrades water quality Can be physical (ex. sedimentation), biological (ex. Bacteria), or chemical (ex. Nitrogen) An obvious thing that can effect water quality is pollution Water pollution - anything that degrades water quality Can be physical (ex. sedimentation), biological (ex. Bacteria), or chemical (ex. Nitrogen)

4. Water Pollution There are two types of sources of pollution. Point - meets the body of water at a specific location Examples? Nonpoint - have no specific location where they discharge into the body of water. Examples? DQ - Which would be harder to control and why? There are two types of sources of pollution. Point - meets the body of water at a specific location Examples? Nonpoint - have no specific location where they discharge into the body of water. Examples? DQ - Which would be harder to control and why?

5. Water pollution There are two main categories of pollutants based on what their effects are. Each of these categories have subcategories as well. 1. Causes Health Problems 2. Causes Ecosystem Disruption There are two main categories of pollutants based on what their effects are. Each of these categories have subcategories as well. 1. Causes Health Problems 2. Causes Ecosystem Disruption

6. Causes Health Problems Subcategories - and sources 1. Infectious agents - human waste Bacteria, viruses, parasites 2. Organic Chemicals - industrial waste, farms Pesticides, plastics, oil 3. Inorganic Chemicals - Industrial waste, household cleaners Acids, salts, metals 4. Radioactive Materials - mining, power plants Radon, uranium, etc. Subcategories - and sources 1. Infectious agents - human waste Bacteria, viruses, parasites 2. Organic Chemicals - industrial waste, farms Pesticides, plastics, oil 3. Inorganic Chemicals - Industrial waste, household cleaners Acids, salts, metals 4. Radioactive Materials - mining, power plants Radon, uranium, etc.

7. Health problems These are a huge problem in developing countries But still some problems here in US as well as many other developed countries Ex. China We will worry less about this category, because it deals more with humans These are a huge problem in developing countries But still some problems here in US as well as many other developed countries Ex. China We will worry less about this category, because it deals more with humans

8. Ecosystem Disruption Subcategories - and sources 1. Sediment - Land erosion Soil, silt 2. Plant Nutrients - fertilizers, sewage Nitrates, Phosphates, Ammonium 3. Oxygen demanding waste - Sewage, food processing Animal manure, paper waste Thermal - power plants, industrial cooling Heated water Subcategories - and sources 1. Sediment - Land erosion Soil, silt 2. Plant Nutrients - fertilizers, sewage Nitrates, Phosphates, Ammonium 3. Oxygen demanding waste - Sewage, food processing Animal manure, paper waste Thermal - power plants, industrial cooling Heated water

9. Ecosystem disruption DQ - How do each of these disrupt the ecosystem? Look in your book to answer this question Sediment Clouds water, not allowing photosynthesis to take place Lowering oxygen levels, and less food Covers gravel beds for fish spawning DQ - How do each of these disrupt the ecosystem? Look in your book to answer this question Sediment Clouds water, not allowing photosynthesis to take place Lowering oxygen levels, and less food Covers gravel beds for fish spawning

10. Ecosystem disruption Plant nutrients Eutrophication - too many nutrients Blooms of algae and other aquatic plants When these die, oxygen levels tank Raise bacteria levels Cause funny taste and/or odor of water Oxygen demanding waste - Lower oxygen levels, killing off species Can add bacteria and affect taste Plant nutrients Eutrophication - too many nutrients Blooms of algae and other aquatic plants When these die, oxygen levels tank Raise bacteria levels Cause funny taste and/or odor of water Oxygen demanding waste - Lower oxygen levels, killing off species Can add bacteria and affect taste

11. Ecosystem Disruption Thermal Aquatic organisms not adapted well to temp. changes Oxygen levels are affected Some animals are attracted to thermal plume during winter months Thermal Aquatic organisms not adapted well to temp. changes Oxygen levels are affected Some animals are attracted to thermal plume during winter months

12. Water Quality Today In the USA we have legislation trying to keep our water clean and safe. The overall water quality of surface water in America has improved dramatically in the last 30-40 years. We have set standards of “acceptable” levels of different substances in our waters. In the USA we have legislation trying to keep our water clean and safe. The overall water quality of surface water in America has improved dramatically in the last 30-40 years. We have set standards of “acceptable” levels of different substances in our waters.

13. Water Standards All states a little bit different These are Iowa DNR standards Nitrates 15 ppm - maximum level to be considered “healthy” water 3-10ppm = optimum range In drinking water it shouldn’t be more than 5 ppm All states a little bit different These are Iowa DNR standards Nitrates 15 ppm - maximum level to be considered “healthy” water 3-10ppm = optimum range In drinking water it shouldn’t be more than 5 ppm

14. Water Quality Standards Phosphorus 30 ppm - maximum level to be considered “healthy” water 5 - 15 ppm - optimum range Ammonium 5 ppm - max level 1-3 ppm - optimum range Turbidity - how clear the water is How much light gets through the water http://dipin.kent.edu/tsi.htm Phosphorus 30 ppm - maximum level to be considered “healthy” water 5 - 15 ppm - optimum range Ammonium 5 ppm - max level 1-3 ppm - optimum range Turbidity - how clear the water is How much light gets through the water http://dipin.kent.edu/tsi.htm

15. Water Quality Standards pH Standard 7.0 - 8.3 Life can survive 6.0 - 9.0 Nitirite 10 ppm - max level to be considered safe 2 ppm - 6 ppm optimum range Dissolved Oxygen 0-2 ppm - fish can’t survive, little advanced life 2-5 ppm - Rough fish (carp, catfish) invertabrates 5-10 ppm - Healthy Ecosystem pH Standard 7.0 - 8.3 Life can survive 6.0 - 9.0 Nitirite 10 ppm - max level to be considered safe 2 ppm - 6 ppm optimum range Dissolved Oxygen 0-2 ppm - fish can’t survive, little advanced life 2-5 ppm - Rough fish (carp, catfish) invertabrates 5-10 ppm - Healthy Ecosystem

16. Activity In your notes, write a short paragraph to explain why the optimum range for these chemicals would not be 0 ppm.

17. Water Quality Today The USA has improved its water quality dramatically the last 30 years. However, other countries have not had as much luck with water quality. China - over half of the water is not suitable for any human use because of pollution. Russia - only half of tap water is fit to drink straight from tap Developing countries - use their water sources as bathrooms, and landfills The USA has improved its water quality dramatically the last 30 years. However, other countries have not had as much luck with water quality. China - over half of the water is not suitable for any human use because of pollution. Russia - only half of tap water is fit to drink straight from tap Developing countries - use their water sources as bathrooms, and landfills

18. Sources of Freshwater Surface water Rivers, Streams, Lakes, etc. Needs to be treated with several steps Groundwater Aquifers - filtered by the soil Usually cleaner, but once polluted, very hard to clean. Ocean Water Needs to be desalinated before it can be used Surface water Rivers, Streams, Lakes, etc. Needs to be treated with several steps Groundwater Aquifers - filtered by the soil Usually cleaner, but once polluted, very hard to clean. Ocean Water Needs to be desalinated before it can be used

19. Water Quality Today Overall water quality in the world is decreasing because of these problems Snowball effect Little water available because we have polluted many sources But good sources get polluted by our over use of them, since there is so little water Overall water quality in the world is decreasing because of these problems Snowball effect Little water available because we have polluted many sources But good sources get polluted by our over use of them, since there is so little water

20. Solutions Try to increase amount of fresh water Can take a long time Not cost effective Clean polluted water Hard to do Expensive People still don’t trust it Conservation Most people don’t want to do it Try to increase amount of fresh water Can take a long time Not cost effective Clean polluted water Hard to do Expensive People still don’t trust it Conservation Most people don’t want to do it

21. What can you do? Activity - list 8 things that you can do to help improve water quality? Conserve Don’t let water run when brushing teeth Don’t water lawn Low flow showers, shower less Fix leaky faucets/toilets Don’t flush every time Wash large loads of laundry Activity - list 8 things that you can do to help improve water quality? Conserve Don’t let water run when brushing teeth Don’t water lawn Low flow showers, shower less Fix leaky faucets/toilets Don’t flush every time Wash large loads of laundry

22. What can you do? Reduce pollution Don’t dump chemicals down drain No fertilizer on lawn Car pool Compost yard waste Fix leaky car Organize river clean up groups Reduce pollution Don’t dump chemicals down drain No fertilizer on lawn Car pool Compost yard waste Fix leaky car Organize river clean up groups

23. Assignment Write a paragraph choosing one of the three solutions that you believe makes the most sense Write a second paragraph explaining the quality of your water sample, based on the levels of each that you found. Write a paragraph choosing one of the three solutions that you believe makes the most sense Write a second paragraph explaining the quality of your water sample, based on the levels of each that you found.