Water Pollution

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Water Pollution
G. Tyler Millers Living in the Environment 13th
Edition Chapter 19
Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical
Community College
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Key Concepts

• Types, sources, and effects of water pollutants

• Major pollution problems of surface water

• Major pollution problems of groundwater

• Reduction and prevention of water pollution

• Drinking water quality

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Types and Sources of Water Pollution

• Point sources

Refer to Tables 19-1 and 19-2 p. 484 and 485

• Nonpoint sources

• Biological oxygen demand

• Water quality

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Point and Nonpoint Sources
Fig. 19-4 p. 486
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Pollution of Streams

• Oxygen sag curve

• Factors influencing recovery

Fig. 19-5 p. 488
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Pollution of Lakes

• Eutrophication

• Slow turnover

• Thermal stratification

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Case Study The Great Lakes
Fig. 19-8 p. 492
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Groundwater Pollution Sources

• Low flow rates

• Cold temperatures

• Few bacteria

Hazardous waste injection well
Pesticides
Coal strip mine runoff
De-icing road salt
Buried gasoline and solvent tank
Cesspool septic tank
Pumping well
Gasoline station
Waste lagoon
Water pumping well
Sewer
Landfill
Leakage from faulty casing
Accidental spills
Discharge
Unconfined freshwater aquifer
Confined aquifer
Fig. 19-10 p. 494
Confined freshwater aquifer
Groundwater flow
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Groundwater Pollution Prevention

• Monitoring aquifers

• Leak detection systems

• Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal

• Storing hazardous materials above ground

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Ocean Pollution
Fig. 19-12 p. 498
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Case Study Chesapeake Bay

• Largest US estuary

• Relatively shallow

• Slow flushing action to Atlantic

• Major problems with dissolved O2

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Oil Spills

• Sources offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and
  storage tanks

• Effects death of organisms, loss of animal
  insulation and buoyancy, smothering

• Significant economic impacts

• Mechanical cleanup methods skimmers and blotters

• Chemical cleanup methods coagulants and
  dispersing agents

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Solutions Preventing and Reducing Surface Water
Pollution
Nonpoint Sources
Point Sources

• Reduce runoff

• Clean Water Act

• Buffer zone vegetation

• Water Quality Act

• Reduce soil erosion

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Technological Approach Septic Systems

• Require suitable soils and maintenance

Fig. 19-16 p. 504
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Technological Approach Sewage Treatment

• Mechanical and biological treatment

Fig. 19-17p. 504
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Technological Approach Advanced Sewage Treatment

• Removes specific pollutants

Fig. 19-18p. 505
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Technological Approach Using Wetlands to Treat
Sewage
Fig. 19-19p. 506
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Drinking Water Quality

• Bottled water

• Safe Drinking Water Act

• Maximum contaminant levels