water pollution
the contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, oceans or groundwater with substances produced through human activities and that negatively affect organisms
point source
pollution that comes from a distinct location
nonpoint source
a widely spread source of pollution that is difficult to link to a specific point of origin
wastewater
the water produced by human activites including human sewage from toilets, and grey water
oxygen demanding waste
organic matter that enters a body of water and feeds the growth of the mircrobes that are decomposers
biochemical oxygen demand
the amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at a specific temperature.
A low amount means less wastewater pollution, while a high amounts mean more pollution
dead zone
an area with little oxygen and thus, little life
eutrophication
process by which a body of water becomes too rich in dissolved nutrients, leading to plant growth that depletes oxygen
cultural eutrophication
when a body of water experiences an increase in fertility due to anthropogenic inputs of nutrients
indicator species
an organism that indicates whether or not disease-causing pathogens are likely to be present
fecal coliform
a group of generally harmless microorganisms that live in the intestines of human beings and other animals
septic system
Small waste water system used by a single home or business
septic tank
a large container that receives wastewater from the house. Used to treat household sewage and wastewater by allowing the solids to decompose and settle in a tank, then letting the liquid be absorbed by the soil in a drainage/leach field.
sludge
anything heavier than water in a spectic tank
septage
the middle layer of fairly clear water (often in a septic tank), contains large quantities of bacteria and may also contain pathogenic organisms and inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous.
leach field
The ground area around a septic tank through which waste waters filters after leaving the tank
manure lagoon
large, human made ponds lined with rubber to prevent the manure from leaking into the groundwater
lead
a heavy metal that contaminates water when it passes through lined pipes, solder, brass fittings and paint. It damages the nervous system
arsenic
a naturally occuring compound that can dissolve in groundwater. Often mining and industrial uses can contribute to water contamination. It acts as a carcinogen
mercury
a naturally occurring heavy metal that is also the result of burning coal and other fossil fuels. Limestone used to make cement can contain it too. It acts as an endocrine disruptor
acid deposition
Precipitation with a pH less than 5.6 that forms in the atmosphere when certain pollutants (sulphates and nitrates) mix with water vapor
acid mine drainage
Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and dangerous dissolved materials such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium wash from coal and metal mines into nearby lakes and streams (often turning water red)
DDT
a persistant insecticide that is also toxic to animals and humans (nervous system harm).
PCBs
synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment
[think of G.E's dumping it in the Hudson]
PBDEs
synthetic compunds that provide fire retardant properties and are used in a diverse array of consumer products including computers, tvs, plastics and furniture
thermal shock
When a source of thermal pollution first starts of stops, fish and other organisms adapted to particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt change in water temperature
thermal pollution
nonchemical water pollution that occurs when human activities cause a substansial change in the temperature of water
Clean Water Act
Legislation that was created in 1948 and then hugely expanded in 1972. It sets maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways. Aim: to make surface waters swimmable and fishable
Safe Drinking Water Act
1974- set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health