APES Chapter 14 Checkpoint

Explain the role of acid deposition in water pollution

Wet-acid deposition occurs in the form of rain and snow, whereas dry-acid deposition occurs as gases and particles that attach to the surfaces of plants, soil, and water.

How does high BOD influence water quality?

When BOD is higher values indicate that a water body is more polluted by waste water. Therefore high BOD influences bad water quality.

What is a "dead zone"? How do nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to dead zones?

A dead zone is when there is so little oxygen, and therefore so little life. Nitrogen and phosphorous are generally the two most important elements for limiting the abundance of producers in aquatic ecosystems. The decomposition of wastewater-because it adds these elements- can provide an abundance of fertility to a water body, a phenomenon known as eutrophication. When a body of water experiences an increase in fertility due to anthropogenic inputs of nutrients this is called cultural eutrophication.

What is an MCL?

An MCL is the maximum contaminant levels. Moreover, its the standard for safe drinking water established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Describe the effects of an oil spill

An oil spill kills marine organisms, including birds, mammals, and fish, as well as to the algae and microorganisms that form the base of the aquatic food chain.

What is the relationship between economic development and clean water?

By having clean water the economy is able to grow. This is because clean water allows for aquatic ecosystems to survive and flourish. Therefore, fishers are able to sell these healthy marine animals.

What are three ways to remediate an oil spill?

For oil floating on the surface of the open ocean, a common appraoch is to contain the oil within a narea and then suck it off the sureface of the water. A second approach to treating oil floatin gon the surface is to apply chemcials that help break up the oil, making it disperse before it hits the shoreline and causes damage to the coastal ecosystems. A third approach to cleaning up oil uses genetically engineered bacteria.

Describe the primary dangers associated with heavy metals in water.

Lead poses serious health threat, especially in infants the lead and exposure can damage the brain, nervous system and kidneys. Arsenic is drinking water is associated with cancers of the skin, lungs, kidneys, and bladder. Inoragnic mercury is not particulary harmful, but its release into the enviroment can be hazardous because of a chemcial transformation it undergoes.

How can nonchemical water pollution be addressed?

Nonchemical water pollution can be addressed directly. This is because we know directly where it is coming from and how it can be prevented.

Name three types of nonchemical water pollution

One is sediment pollution which is the large amount of sediments in body waters. Next is thermal pollution which occurs when human activities cause a substantial change in the temperature of water. Lastly, noise pollution in which sounds emitted by ships and submarines that interfere with animal communication are a major concern.

Name several ways in which oil ets into the ocean

One source of oil in the water comes form drilling for undersea oil using offshore platforms. Another one are that oil and other petroleum products can also enter oceans as spills form oil tankers. And lastly, though it is an often under appreciated aspect of oil pollution , a large fraction of oil in the ocean occurs naturally. Overall, oil is in water through natural seeps, extraction of oil from underneath the ocean, transport of oil by tanker or pipeline, and consumption of petroleum-based products.

Describe and contrast the two most common ways to treat wastewater

One way is a septic system in which wastewater form a house is held in a large spetic tank where solids settle to the bottom and bacteria breaks down the sewage. The liquid moves through a pipe at the top of the tank and passes through perforated pipes that distribute the water through a leach field. Another one is a sewage treatment plant which in large municipalities, great volumes of wastewater are handled by separating the sludge from the ater and then using bacteria to break down both components.

What are point and nonpoint sources? How do they differ?

Point sources are distinct locations such as particular factory that pumps its waste into a nearby stream or a sewage treatment plant that discharges its wastewater from a pipe into the ocean. Nonpoint sources are more diffuse areas such as an entire farming regio, a suburban community with many lawns and septic systems, or storm runoff from parking lots. The differ because in point sources we are able to distinguish exactly where the pollution is coming from while nonpoint we aren't.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of both septic systems and sewage plants.

Septic systems rely on gravity and no electricity is needed to run it. However a disadvantage is that sludge formt he septic tank must be pumped out periodically and taken to a sewage treatment plant. Dewage treatment plants are very effective at breaking down the organic matter into carbon dioxide and inorganic nutrients. However these inorganic nutrients can still have undesirable effects on the waterways into which they are released.

What are some examples of noise pollution as it relates to water.

Several instances of beached whales in the Bahamas, the Canary Islands, and the Gulf of California have been connected to the use of military sonar and loud, underwater air guns. As a result, in 20o3 a federal judge rejected the U.S. Navy's request to install a network of long-range sonar systems across the ocean floor to detect incoming submarines, because of unsuspected negative impacts on endangered whales and other species of marine animals.

Name examples of synthetic compounds that have been found in our water supply and explain why they are a concern

Some examples are pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial cleaners. Synthetic organic compounds have a variety of effects on organism. They can be toxic, cause genetic defects, and, in the case of compounds that resemble animal hormones, interfere with growth and sexual development.

Describe some of the legislative actions taken to protect clean water and why they are significant.

The Clean Water Act supports the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water by maintaing and when necessary, restoring the chemical, physical,a and biological properties of natural waters. The Safe Drinking Water Act set regulations for drinking water, creating safer drinking water.

What is the role of bacteria in the treatment of human and animal waste?

The bacteria in the treatment of human and animal waste simply breaks down the matter. This can be done in a manure lagoon.

What problems are associated with sewage?

The inorganic nutrients can still have undesirable effects on the waterways into which they are released. Although nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients for increasing primary productivity, when high concentrations of these nutrients are released into bodies of water from sewage treatment plants they fertilize the water, which can lead to large increases in the abundance of algae and aquatic plants.

What are the most common types of pollutants in water?

The most common types of pollutants include human and anima waste, inorganic substances, organic compounds, synthetic organic compounds, and nonchemical pollutants.

What pathogens are common in poorly treated wastewater? Where are they the biggest threat?

These pathogen cause cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, various types of stomach flu, and diarrhea. All of these are a threat because they can cause death.

What is water pollution? Why is it important to learn about water pollution?

Water pollution is generally defined as the contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, or groundwater with substances produced through human activities and that negatively affect organisms. Its important to learn about water pollution because as a result of the pollution it has potential impact to both aquatic and terrestrial organisms.