Date post: | 25-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | donald-carpenter |
View: | 234 times |
Download: | 5 times |
Chapter 28Pollution of the Hydrosphere
Sediment Pollution Rapid introduction
of sediments into water ecosystems due to runoff
Sources include: exposed
agricultural fields clear cut logging construction sites
Effects of sediment pollutionHurts aquatic organisms
reduces the amount of photosynthesis that can occur in water
reduces the ability to absorb oxygen may clog gills
Nutrient Pollution An increase in nutrients in an aquatic
ecosystem Leads to a rapid increase in growth of plants
and algae
Algal bloom is a rapid increase in algae due to the introduction of nutrient fertilizers into an ecosystem.
Eutrophication Nutrient pollution due to an increase in
nitrates and phosphates Caused by use of fertilizers, leakage from
septic/sewage systems
Nutrient Pollution (Eutrophication)Sources are:
Detergents Nitrogen compounds Runoff from streets and lawns Fertilizers from agriculture Discharges of sewage treatment
plants and septic tanks
Effects of Eutrophication• Hurts aquatic organisms• Reduces amount of light for
photosynthesis • Increases the amount of dying algae• Results in bacterial growth that
depletes oxygen in the water• Decreased dissolved oxygen creates
hypoxic (low/no oxygen) conditions, toxic to living organisms
Toxic Organic Compounds ORGANIC (natural) = contains CARBON!
Examples: Oil, Gasoline, Pesticides Hurts aquatic organisms:
heavy oil pollution in the water can be deadly
BP Oil Spill (2010) Gulf of Mexico
In April 2010 an explosion on the Deep water Horizon drilling rig killed 11 men and sent millions of gallons of oil gushing into the
Gulf of Mexico
Toxic Inorganic Compounds
It includes synthetic industrial chemicals and heavy metals, such as: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic
Sources include: poor waste disposal toxic chemicals infiltrating and
contaminating groundwater May be worse than toxic organic compounds
because they can remain deadly for years and usually are not broken down naturally.
Disease-Causing AgentsSpecific organisms that cause or spread
diseases, such as viruses and bacteria.Waterborne illnesses is a type of
disease caused by an organism that lives in water.
Some examples are: Typhoid Malaria Hepatitis
Disease-Causing Agents
Wastewater: polluted water that is unfit for drinking or for introduction into the environment because it has been previously used and contaminated
Wastewater affects organisms Can contaminate shellfish and other fish Humans may eat contaminated fish and
develop health problems
Thermal Pollution Caused by a change in temperature. The temperature of the water and the amount
of dissolved oxygen is an inverse (opposite) relationship.
Nuclear power causes thermal pollution Water used for cooling towers increases the
temperature of surface water when released Aquatic animals need a constant temperature to
survive
Thermal Pollution
Construction of dams causes thermal pollution by lowering water temperature
The temperature of the river drops about 10 degrees
Native fish cannot tolerate the temperature change.
Test Your Knowledge1. The most widespread pollution is..
Sediment Pollution2. The enrichment of fertilizers in an aquatic ecosystem is called...
Nutrient Pollution3. Runoff from a construction site can result in..
Decreased Photosynthesis
Test Your Knowledge (cont.)4. Leaking septic systems located around lakes and ponds can cause..
Nutrient Pollution5. A rapid increase in the population of aquatic plants is known as..
Algal Bloom6. Increasing amounts of nitrates and phosphate fertilizers in water cause..
Eutrophication
Test Your Knowledge (cont.)7. As the temperature of the water increases, what happens to the level of dissolved oxygen within the water?
It Decreases8. What is the main source of waterborne illnesses?
Wastewater9. PCB’s are an example of what?
Toxic Inorganic Compounds
Test Your Knowledge (cont.)10. An increase or decrease in water temperature caused by human activity is known as what?
Thermal Pollution