Pollution
description
Transcript of Pollution
PollutionPollution
Any substance added to the environment that is harmful to organisms.
Types….Types….
1) Toxic Chemicals 1) Toxic Chemicals 2) Air Emissions (Acid Rain, Smog, Ozone 2) Air Emissions (Acid Rain, Smog, Ozone
Depletion, Greenhouse Gases)Depletion, Greenhouse Gases)3) Sewage3) Sewage4) Garbage4) Garbage5) Fertilizers5) Fertilizers6) Pesticides6) Pesticides7) Soil erosion and run-off7) Soil erosion and run-off8) Ground Water Contamination8) Ground Water Contamination9) Thermal Pollution9) Thermal Pollution10) Urban and Rural10) Urban and Rural
Pollution can poison the air, water, soil.
Point vs Non-point SourcesPoint vs Non-point Sources
Our FocusOur Focus
Bio-accumulation or Bio-magnification Bio-accumulation or Bio-magnification of Persistent Chemicals and Heavy of Persistent Chemicals and Heavy MetalsMetals
Eutrophication or Nutrient Pollution of Eutrophication or Nutrient Pollution of Water Water
Persistent ChemicalsPersistent Chemicals
They are toxicThey are toxic They resist bio-degradationThey resist bio-degradation They bio-accumulateThey bio-accumulate They can be transported through They can be transported through
air, water, and species far from air, water, and species far from their place of releasetheir place of release
Examples of Persistant Examples of Persistant ChemicalsChemicals
PesticidesPesticides - Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, - Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, Dieldrine, Endrin, Heptachlor, Mirex, Dieldrine, Endrin, Heptachlor, Mirex, Toxaphene (Camphechlor), Toxaphene (Camphechlor), HexachlorobenzeneHexachlorobenzene
Produced unintentionally as a result of Produced unintentionally as a result of combustioncombustion - Dioxins, Furans - Dioxins, Furans
Used in manufactured goods Used in manufactured goods - - Polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs)Polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Heavy MetalsHeavy Metals
Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Chromium, Uranium, NickelChromium, Uranium, Nickel
Bio-accumulation or Bio-accumulation or Bio-magnificationBio-magnification
Bio-accumulation or Bio-accumulation or Bio-magnification Bio-magnification
Persistant toxic chemicals Persistant toxic chemicals accumulate in organisms accumulate in organisms higher up the food chain, higher up the food chain, because they because they live longerlive longer and and eat moreeat more..
Lake OntarioLake Ontario ContaminationContamination
Lake OntarioLake Ontario - - Don’t eat the fish!Don’t eat the fish!
Toxic Chemicals in Breast Milk, Sweden
1970-2000
Lake Ontario PollutionLake Ontario Pollution
http://archives.cbc.ca/environment/pollution/topics/1390/
(Scroll to video #18 “IJC warns (Scroll to video #18 “IJC warns against eating Great…”)against eating Great…”)
Or go to digital video archives…Or go to digital video archives…environment…environment…
EutrophicationEutrophication
Oligotrophic LakesOligotrophic Lakes
(most lakes)(most lakes)
- Clear water Clear water (low turbidity)(low turbidity)
- High OHigh O22 concentration
- Good light penetrationGood light penetration- Nutrient deficientNutrient deficient- Higher fish biodiversityHigher fish biodiversity
Eutrophic Lakes (unnatural)
- Cloudy water due to
lots of algae and plankton (high turbidity)
- Low O2 concentration- Poor light penetration- Nutrient enriched- Lots of decomposition- Lower fish biodiversity
Cultural Eutrophication SequenceCultural Eutrophication Sequence1.1. Humans add nutrients to a water system.Humans add nutrients to a water system. eg. Fertilizers (nitrates, phosphates)eg. Fertilizers (nitrates, phosphates) eg. Soaps and detergentseg. Soaps and detergents eg. Sewage and manureeg. Sewage and manure
2.2. Phytoplankton and algae (plants) thrive on the nutrients Phytoplankton and algae (plants) thrive on the nutrients (algal bloom).(algal bloom).
3.3. Increased algae growth causes more decomposition by Increased algae growth causes more decomposition by bacteria and decomposers.bacteria and decomposers.
4.4. Increased bacteria lowers the dissolved OIncreased bacteria lowers the dissolved O22 concentration concentration in the water.in the water.
Result = Kills species, especially fish that need a higher Result = Kills species, especially fish that need a higher concentration of dissolved Oconcentration of dissolved O22 to survive. to survive.
Biological Oxygen Biological Oxygen DemandDemand(B.O.D.)(B.O.D.)
A measure of the amount of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) needed by decomposers (bacteria) to break down organic matter in a water system. (measured over a 5 day period)
Eutrophication of Lake ErieEutrophication of Lake Erie
Lake Erie RecoveryLake Erie Recovery
Ban on phosphates in soaps and Ban on phosphates in soaps and detergentsdetergents
Reduced use of fertilizersReduced use of fertilizers Better sewage treatmentBetter sewage treatment Better manure storageBetter manure storage Zebra musselsZebra mussels
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/habitats-environment/freshwater/lake-erie.html