Water Pollution

for Third Year- Environmental Sciences and

Environmental Sciences/Chemistry Programmes

Dr/Mervat Abd El-Magied El-Sonbati

Associate professor of Environmental Sciences

1
2022/2023 Second Semester
Water pollution

2
Lec. No. Title
1-3 Introduction, Importance, characteristics, and uses of water,
hydrological cycle, water distribution.
4-8 Definition of water pollution, Types of water pollution: Point
sources and nonpoint source & surface and underground
&Physical, chemical and biological pollution
Categories of water pollution: Sewage, inorganic plant
and algal nutrients, Organic compounds (Oil pollution,
pesticides, PCBs), Inorganic chemicals (acid rains, heavy metals,
mining process)
9- 12 Categories of water pollution: sediment pollution, thermal,
Noise, radioactive and disease-causing agents (biological water
pollution), effects and control of water pollution& Water quality 3
standard, laws and regulations.
 Introduction

Water is one of the renewable resources essential for

sustaining all forms of life, food production, economic
development, and for general well being. Water is also one
of the most manageable natural resources as it is capable of
diversion, transport, storage, and recycling. The surface
water and groundwater resources of the country play a
major role in agriculture, hydropower generation, livestock
production, industrial activities, forestry, fisheries,
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navigation, recreational activities etc.

 Introduction: The Water quality and quantity

Throughout history, the quality and quantity of water available to

humans have been vital factors in determining their well-being. Whole
civilizations have disappeared because of water shortages resulting from
changes in climate. Even in temperate climates, fluctuations in
precipitation cause problems. Globally, problems with quantity and
quality of water supply remain and in some respects are becoming more
serious. These problems include increased water use due to population
growth, contamination of drinking water by improperly discarded
hazardous wastes, and destruction of wildlife by water pollution. 5
 Introduction: The Water quality and quantity

The study of water is known as hydrology and is divided into a number of

subcategories. Limnology is the branch of the science dealing with the

characteristics of fresh water including biological properties, as well as

chemical and physical properties. Oceanography is the science of the

ocean and its physical and chemical characteristics. The chemistry and

biology of the Earth’s vast oceans are unique because of the ocean’s high
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salt content, great depth, and other factors.
 The Importance of Water

 Water is an essential part of all living systems and is the medium

from which life evolved and in which life exists.

 Energy and matter are carried through various spheres of the

environment by water.

 Water has a series of properties that makes it so important for life

(Table 1):

o As a liquid at room temperature, it can move easily through living

organisms.

o Water is naturally found in all three phases – solid, liquid, and gas,
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allowing it to be transported around the Earth quickly and easily.

 Table 1. Important Properties of Water
Property Effects and Significance
Excellent solvent Transport of nutrients and waste products, making
biological processes possible in an aqueous medium
Highest dielectric constant of any High solubility of ionic substances and their ionization in
common liquid solution
Higher surface tension than other liquid Controlling factor in physiology; governs drop and
surface phenomena
Transparent to visible and longer- Colorless, allowing light required for photosynthesis to
wavelength fraction of ultraviolet light reach considerable depths in bodies of water

Maximum density as a liquid at 4°C Ice floats; vertical circulation restricted in stratified
bodies of water
Higher heat of evaporation than any Determines transfer of heat and water molecules between
other material the atmosphere and bodies of water

Higher latent heat of fusion than any Temperature stabilized at the freezing point of water
other liquid except ammonia
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Higher heat capacity than any other Stabilization of temperatures of organisms and
liquid except ammonia geographical regions
The density increases first when the
temperature increases, and it gets decreased 9

in further increase in temperature

Surface Tension

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 Sources and Uses of Water: The Hydrologic Cycle

The world’s water supply is found in the five parts of the hydrologic cycle

(Figure 1). About 97% of Earth’s water is found in the oceans. Another fraction

is present as water vapor in the atmosphere (clouds). Some water is contained in

the solid state as ice and snow in snowpacks, glaciers, and the polar ice caps.

Surface water is found in lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Groundwater is located

11
in aquifers underground.
 The Hydrologic Cycle
 All water systems are connected through a series of processes that
continuously move water around the Earth called the water cycle.

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 The Hydrologic Cycle

Evaporation is a phase change of water from a liquid form

into a gas form. Water moves from a surface body, such as a lake, to
the atmosphere.

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 The Hydrologic Cycle

 Transpiration is the process by which moisture is carried up

through plants from roots to small pores in leaves, where it
evaporates into the atmosphere.

(loss of water vapor by plants )

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 The Hydrologic Cycle

Condensation is the collection of water as droplets on a cold surface.

Evaporated water condenses into clouds as it loses heat in the upper
troposphere.

Precipitation is water falling back to the ground as snow, rain, sleet, or

hail.

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 The Hydrologic Cycle

 When rainwater first hits dry soil, it will percolate, or move

downward through spaces between soil particles.
 When soil is fully saturated, water will flow over the surface, a
process called runoff.

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 Water Usage

 Water withdrawal measures the total

amount diverted or withdrawn from a
source.
o The water may be returned, such as with
coolant water in power plants.

 Water consumption measures water

permanently removed from a source.
o Water used for irrigation that evaporates.
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 Agriculture makes up most of both freshwater withdrawal and consumption.

 Water Usage

 Overconsumption: When water is

consumed faster than it is replenished.

 The overconsumption of water has led

to the lowering of water levels in

surface waters, including lakes and

rivers. 18
 Water Usage

 Saltwater intrusion place when saltwater moves into

freshwater aquifers due to excessive consumption and a
lowering of the water table.

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 Water Usages

 Excessive groundwater

consumption can also

lead to subsidence, a

compression and sinking

of the zone of saturation.

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 Water Usages

 Water stress occurs when the demand for

water exceeds the supply. This is likely to

occur in:

o Naturally arid ecosystems.

o Heavily populated countries.

o Areas with intensive, highly-irrigated

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agriculture.
 Water Usages
Water is stored in various parts of the world but not evenly distributed
all over the earth. Various sources of water are – sea, lake, rain, well,
stream, borehole and pond. It is used for washing, drinking, generating
electricity etc. The different uses of water in various fields are:
 Domestic
 Agriculture
 Industrial
Domestic uses of water:
15 % of water is consumed for domestic purpose. Water is used for
drinking, bathing, cooking food and washing dishes, clothes, fruits, 22

vegetables and brushing teeth.

 Water Usages

 Water use for agriculture:

Agriculture is the largest consumer of water. About 70% of water is used
for irrigation, for gardening, farming and fisheries. Plants require water to
grow (photosynthesis process need water). To yield crops, fruits, flowers,
vegetables they need sufficient water, manure, sunlight and oxygen.
 Industrial uses of water:
Industrial water is used for washing, cooling, processing, transporting,
diluting or fabricating of a product. The maximum amount of water is used
in the production of chemical, paper and food.
Other uses are transportation, manufacturing, hydroelectric power, 23

removal of body wastes, tourism and recreation

 Water Distribution

 Most of the Earth’s water is in the

oceans, and too salty for drinking or
irrigation.
 About 3% is freshwater, water that
is relatively free from salts.
o The largest accessible source of
freshwater is groundwater
beneath the surface that resides
in pores in soil and rock.
o Only about 1% is surface water,
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such as lakes, rivers, and ponds.
 Surface Waters
 Streams and rivers are fed by runoff from

surrounding areas and areas where groundwater

flows to the surface.

 The area of land drained by a river system is that

river’s watershed.

 Lakes and ponds are standing bodies of surface

water fed from rivers, streams, and runoff from

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precipitation.
 Water Pollution

Any unwanted change in the physical, chemical and biological

properties of water (streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, or groundwater)
occurs when pollutants (particles, chemicals or substances that make
water contaminated) are discharged directly or indirectly by human
activities into water bodies without enough treatment to get rid of
harmful compounds that will have a detrimental consequence on living
organisms.

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 Classification of Water Pollution

• Point sources
According to • Non-point sources
Distribution
• Physical
• Chemical
According to Water • Biological
characteristics'
• Surface
According to Position • Underground
(place)
• Fresh water
• Brackish water
According to Water type • Marine or Saline water 27
 Classification of Water Pollution

 Point sources pollution have direct identifiable source,

includes pipe attached to a factory, oil spill from a tanker.

It also include wastewater effluent (both municipal &

industrial); it affect mostly the area near it.

 Nonpoint sources pollution: Arrive in the environment

(surface or underground water) from different non

identifiable sources. Examples are runoff from

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agricultural fields, urban waste etc.

Point and Nonpoint sources
pollution

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 Categories of Water Pollution

 Sewage
 Inorganic plant and algal nutrients
 Organic compounds (Oil pollution, pesticides, PCBs)
 Inorganic chemicals (acid rains, heavy metals, mining process)
 Sediment pollution
 Thermal pollution
 Noise pollution
 Radioactive substances
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 Disease-causing agents
 Categories of Water Pollution:
Sewage
 The release of wastewater from drains or sewers

o Includes human wastes, soaps, and detergents

 Causes Serious environmental problems:

o Enrichment of a body of water by high levels of plant and

algal nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus)

 Increase in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

o Amount of oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose biological wastes

o As BOD increases Dissolve Oxygen (DO) decreases

o Lower BOD values indicate the water is less polluted and higher BOD
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values indicate it is more polluted by wastewater.

Categories of Water Pollution:
Sewage

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 Sewage- Eutrophication

 Oligotrophic
o Unenriched, clear water that supports small populations of aquatic
organisms

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 Sewage- Eutrophication

 Eutrophic
o Slow-flowing stream, lake or estuary enriched by inorganic plant and
algal nutrients such as phosphorus

o Often due to fertilizer or sewage runoff

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 Inorganic plant and algal nutrients

 Eutrophication is an abundance of fertility to

a water body by an increase in nutrients, such

as fertilizers (N and P). Can cause a rapid

growth of algae.

 Sources: Human and animal wastes, plant

residues, atmospheric deposition, and fertilizer

runoff. It causes Enrichment, bad odors, and a

high BOD 35
 Inorganic plant and algal
nutrients (Eutrophication)

The harmful alga blooms (HAB) are called red, brown, or green tides

depending on their color.

Effects: HAB’s can release toxins that damage fisheries, kill fish-

eating birds, reduce tourism and poison seafood. It also may cause a

die-off of all organisms.

 Solutions to Reduce Eutrophication

o Phosphate-free detergents

o Planting vegetation to increase nutrient uptake

o Treat wastewater

o Reduce fertilizer application

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Harmful Alga Blooms

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Organic Compounds: Oil
pollution

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 Organic Compounds:
Oil pollution

 Oil discharge into the surface of sea by way of accident

or leakage from cargo tankers carrying petrol, diesel and
their derivatives pollute sea water to a great extent.
Exploration of oil from offshore also lead to oil pollution
in water. The residual oil spreads over the water surface
forming a thin layer of water-in-oil emulsion.

 Oil spills can be caused by:

 Tanker accidents

 Intentional dumping
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 Drilling/pumping operations
 Organic Compounds: Oil pollution

 Largest input of oil is released into the ocean

during normal operation of offshore wells,
washing tankers and releasing oily water and from
pipeline and storage tank leaks.

 Petroleum is biodegradable

 Many pollution experts consider oil to be among

the least damaging ocean pollutants

 Data from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill shows

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the recovery of key organisms

 Organic Compounds: Oil
pollution
 Effect of Oil pollution:
 Depend on type of oil, amount released, distance from
shore, time of year, weather, water temperature and
currents.
 Volatile hydrocarbons immediately kill organisms, some
others form globules that float on surface and coat feathers
of birds.
o This oil coating destroys the natural insulation and
buoyancy, causing many to drown or die from loss of
body heat
 Most life forms recover from crude oil within 3 years, but
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refined oil recovery up to 10 years
 Ways to Remediate Oil Pollution

• Others remove only part of the oil

Prevention • None work well on large spill
still best
method

• Floating booms to contain the oil spill or keep it from moving

• Skimmer boats to vacuum up oil
Mechanical • Absorbent pads or mesh pillows to soak up oil
methods

• Coagulating agents to cause oil to clump or sink ‫تتكتل أو تغرق‬

Chemical • Dispersing agents to break up oil slicks ‫البقع‬
methods

• May involve constructing wetlands or involving plants to soak up organic nutrients

• Using bacteria to digest the oil coating
Biological • More effective than artificial methods
method 42
Ways to Remediate Oil Pollution

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Ways to Remediate Oil Pollution: Skimming

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 Organic compounds Agro-chemical
Wastes (pesticides)

 Agro-chemical wastes include fertilizers,

pesticides which may be herbicides and
insecticides widely used in crop fields to
enhance productivity.
 Improper disposal of pesticides from field
farms and agricultural activities contributes a
lot of pollutants to water bodies and soils.
Examples: DDT, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Malathion,
Hexachloro- benzene etc.
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 Pesticides

 Pesticides reach water bodies through surface

runoff from agricultural fields, drifting from
spraying, washing down of precipitation and
direct dusting and spraying of pesticides in
low lying areas polluting the water quality.
 Most of them are non-biodegradable and
persistent in the environment for long period
of time.
 These chemicals may reach human through
food chain leading to biomagnification. 46
 Biomagnification

Biomagnification, also known as bio

amplification or biological magnification,

is any concentration of a toxin, such as

pesticides, in the tissues of tolerant

organisms at successively higher levels in

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a food chain
 Organic Compounds found in Polluted
Water
 Chemicals that contain carbon atoms
o Natural examples: sugars, amino acids, and oils
o Human-made examples: pesticides, solvents, industrial chemicals, and
plastics.

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 Organic Compounds found in Polluted
Water

 PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) are a group of

synthetic chemicals used from 1929-1979 in the

manufacturing of paints, plastics, electrical, and hydraulic

equipment and as liquid coolants and insulation in

industrial equipment such as power transformers.

 PCBs enter the marine environment through leaks and

from discarded equipment.

 PCBs are nondegradable and will bioaccumulate in

aquatic organisms and affect reproduction and cause

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brain damage, are lethal and carcinogenic.
 Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is the gradual

accumulation of substances, such as
pesticides, heavy metal or other
chemicals, in a living organism.
Bioaccumulation occurs when an
organism absorbs a substance at a rate
faster than that at which the substance is
lost or eliminated by catabolism and
excretion. 50
 Acid rain pollution

Water pollution that alters a plant’s surrounding

pH level, this can harm or kill the plant.
Atmospheric sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
dioxide emitted from natural and human-made
sources like volcanic activity and burning fossil
fuels\interact with atmospheric chemicals,
including hydrogen and oxygen, to form
sulfuric and nitric acids in the air. These acids
fall down to earth through precipitation in the
form of rain or snow. Once acid rain reaches the
SO2 + O2 -------SO3 + H2O-------H2SO4
ground, it flows into waterways that carry its
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acidic compounds into water bodies. NO2 + H2O------------HNO3
 Effects of acid rain

 Effects of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife:

o The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic
environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be
harmful to fish and other wildlife.
o As it flows through the soil, acidic rainwater can leach aluminum
from soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes which
may be harmful to plants as well as animals.
o Generally, the young of most species are more sensitive to
environmental conditions than adults.
o At pH 5, most fish eggs cannot hatch. At lower pH levels, some
adult fish die.
 Effects of Acid Rain on Human Health:
o when the pollutants that cause acid rain —SO2 and NOX, as well as
sulfate and nitrate particles— are in the air, can cause breathing 52

problems, over time can cause cancer, may damage the brain.
 Effects of acid rain

 Effects of Acid Rain on Plants and Trees:

o Dead or dying trees are a common sight in areas effected by acid rain.
o It removes minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow.
o At high elevations, acidic fog and clouds might strip nutrients from
trees’ foliage, leaving them with brown or dead leaves and needles
that are then less able to absorb sunlight, which makes them weak.
 Effects of Acid Rain on Materials:
o When acid rain and dry acidic particles fall to earth, the nitric and
sulfuric acid that make the particles acidic can land on statues,
buildings, and other manmade structures, and damage their surfaces.
o The acidic particles corrode metal and cause paint and stone to
deteriorate more quickly. They also dirty the surfaces of buildings and
other structures such as monuments. ‫آثار‬ 53
 Water pollution by Heavy Metals

 Heavy metals as lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium

(VI), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), etc.,

are very harmful, toxic and poisonous even in ppb levels.

 There are some minerals which are useful for human and animal

health in small doses beyond which these are toxic; Zinc (Zn), copper

(Cu), iron (Fe), etc fall into this category. For agriculture, some

elements like zinc, copper, manganese (Mn), sulphur (S), iron, boron
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(B), potassium, etc are useful in prescribed quantities.
Classification of heavy metals

55
 Sources of
heavy metals

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57
Human exposure
to heavy metals

58
Heavy Metals
Toxicity

59
 Heavy Metals
Toxicity

‫التهاب رئوي‬

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Heavy Metal Removal

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 Water Pollution from Mining

 The environmental problems arising from mining activities

are:

o Natural land degradation, air and water pollution with heavy

metals, organic and inorganic waste.

o Negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,

human health and socio-economic.

o The impact on surface and groundwater is due to spill

erosion, sedimentation, acid mine drainage, lowering of

water table, subsidence, disturbance on hydrological cycle

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and rainfall.
 Types of Water Pollution from Mining

1- Acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rock drainage

(ARD) is considered as one of the major contaminants
of water, it is characterized by high total dissolved
solids (TDS), high sulphates and high levels of heavy
metals, particularly iron, manganese, nickel and
cobalt. AMD severely degrades water quality, and can
kill aquatic life and make water virtually unusable.
2- Heavy Metal Contamination and Leaching: Is
caused when metals as arsenic, cobalt, copper,
cadmium, lead, silver and zinc contained in excavated
rock or exposed in an underground mine come in
contact with water. Metals are leached out and carried 63

downstream as water washes over the rock surface.

 Types of Water Pollution from Mining

3- Processing Chemicals Pollution: This occurs when chemical

agents, spill, leak, or leach from the mine site into nearby water
bodies. These chemicals can be highly toxic to humans and
wildlife.
4- Erosion and Sedimentation: Erosion of the exposed earth
may carry amounts of sediment into streams, rivers and lakes
which can clog riverbeds and smother watershed vegetation,
wildlife habitat and aquatic organisms. Surface mining activities
produce greatly increased downstream sediment loads that can
result in reduction in the agricultural potential of an area,
increased flooding due to reduced river channel capacities,
geomorphic changes in stream structure and increased turbidity 64

and associated changes in all riverine life forms.

 Sediment pollution

 Construction of dams for hydroelectric power or water

reservoirs can reduce the sediment flow affecting adversely
the formation of beaches:
o Increases coastal erosion and reduces the flow of nutrients
from rivers into seas (potentially reducing coastal fish
stocks).
 Increased sediment flow can also create a problem. During
construction work, soil, rock, and other fine powders
sometimes enter nearby rivers in large quantities,
o causing water to become turbid (muddy or silted).
o The extra sediment can block the gills of fish, causing
suffocation. 65
 Sediment pollution

 Excessive amounts of suspended soil particles

originates from erosion of agricultural lands,

forest soils exposed by logging, overgrazed

rangelands, and construction.

Problems:

o Limits light penetration

o Covers aquatic animals and plants

o Brings insoluble toxins into waterways

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 Thermal pollution

 Occurs when heated water produced during industrial

processes is released into waterways.

 Changes in water temperature adversely affect water

quality and aquatic biota. Majority of the thermal
pollution in water is caused by human activities.

 Some of the important sources of thermal pollution

are nuclear power and electric power plants,
petroleum refineries, steel melting factories, boiler
from industries which release large amount of heat to
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the water bodies.
 Effects of Thermal Pollution

 Change in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics

of the receiving water bodies.

 Thermal shock: aquatic life adapted to a certain water

temperature can go into shock when temp is changed even 1 or

2 degree

 High temperature declines the oxygen content of water;

disturbs the reproductive cycles, respiratory and digestive rates

and other physiological changes causing difficulties for the

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aquatic life.
 Control of Thermal Pollution
 Cooling towers: A tower like device in which atmospheric air circulates
and cools warm water, generally by direct contact (evaporation).

 Cooling ponds: The pond receives thermal energy in the water from the
plant's condensers and the energy is dissipated mainly through
evaporation. Once the water has cooled in the pond, it is reused by the
plant. New water is added to the system ("make-up" water) to replace
the water lost through evaporation.

 Spray ponds: An arrangement for cooling large quantities of water in

open reservoirs or ponds; nozzles spray a portion of the water into the
air for the evaporative cooling effect.

 Artificial lakes as reservoirs

 Cogeneration: a process where waste heat is recycled for domestic

69
and/or industrial heating purposes.
 Noise Pollution
 Pollution from noise is likely as dangerous to
many marine animals as any other type of
pollution.

 Historical Marine Noise Pollution

Ambient ocean noise levels were low enough that
whales using sonar were able to communicate with
each other, to hunt for food and find mates across
entire ocean basins. Recently though, increased
underwater noise pollution has made
communication between whales more difficult
than ever. High intensity sound in the oceans may 70

not dissipate for thousands of miles.

 Sources of underwater noise

The noise from shipping, seismic surveys, and military activity is

creating a totally different environment than existed even 50 years ago

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 Sources of Marine Noise Pollution

 Boat traffic creates incredibly loud noises. Many of

these loud signals are below the margin of 1000Hz.
 Modern day supertankers cruise the oceans creating
a sound pulse of 190 decibels or more at or below
the 500Hz range.
 Smaller boats such as tugs and ferries typically
create a sound wave of decibels. These ships create
a virtual wall of "white noise" that has a constant
loudness. This white noise can block
communication attempts between cetaceans or limit
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them to very small areas.

 Effect of noise on marine organisms
 On land animals and humans alike know to move away from a loud or traumatic sound;
the further we get, the more the sound dissipates.
 Underwater, we would not be so lucky. Sonar and ship noise can send a deafening tidal
wave of noise for miles.
 It is difficult to pinpoint the origin or source of a particular sound and even harder to avoid
or outrun it.
 Whales, dolphins and other marine mammals that have been caught in the wake of sonar
have died of cerebral hemorrhaging or intentionally beached themselves in a desperate
attempt to avoid the ear-splitting resonance.

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 Control of underwater noise

 Underwater, as on land, we must do better to protect

those resources we share.
 Most of us cannot imagine the violent intrusion
created by a shipping barge passing overhead.
 Notwithstanding the need for compassion, with this
new knowledge of sound in the underwater
environment comes the responsibility to protect those
animals and fish and creatures that cannot protect
themselves.
 We have the intellect and the technology to develop
better boats and better defense tactics that will enable 74

us to be better stewards of the ocean environment.

 Radioactive waste

 Radioactive pollution is caused by

the presence of radioactive materials
in water. Radioactive Substances
contain atoms of unstable isotopes
that spontaneously emit radiation
 They are classified as small doses
which temporary stimulate the
metabolism and large doses which
gradually damage the organism
causing genetic mutation. 75
 Radioactive waste
Source of radioactive pollution

 Natural sources or from mining

 radioactive sediment,

 Waters used in nuclear atomic plants,

 Radioactive minerals exploitation,

 Nuclear power plants,

 Radioisotopes in medical and research

purposes.
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 Spillage of Radioactive Chemicals.

 Radioactive waste
Effects of Radioactive Pollution

 Genetic Mutations: It leads to damage to DNA

strands leading to the genetic break up over time
 Diseases: Cancer is the most dominant radiation-
related disease, leukemia, anemia, hemorrhage, a
reduction in the life span leading to premature
aging and premature deaths as well as others such
as cardiovascular complications.
 Cell Destruction
 Radiation distorts the cells present, leading to
permanent damage of the various organs and organ
systems.
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 Burns
 Radioactive waste
Effects of Radioactive Pollution

 Effects on Wildlife: radionuclides enter their

metabolic cycles and affect their DNAs (mentioned
above; ionizing). This ends up having a mutated
animal generation with a higher risk of health issues by
just a small amount of radionuclides
 Effects on Marine life: the power plants, which are
the sources of nuclear energy and chemical processing,
have been releasing radioisotopes into the water for
decades. Cesium, Radon, Crypton, Ruthenium, Zinc
and Copper are few of them. Though the waste is
released in a “permissible” amount, it does not mean 78

safe.
 Radioactive Waste
Solutions to Radioactive Pollution

 Proper method of disposing of radioactive

waste (heavy and thick concrete containers).

 Their containers should be well labeled in

order to make one use protective gear when

handling them.

 Banning of Nuclear Tests: these tests, though

done in the deserts, end up escaping from

one ecosystem to another, eventually affecting

79

the lives of many people.

 Radioactive waste
Solutions to Radioactive Pollution

 Alternative energy sources: focus on

environmentally friendly energy

sources, (solar, hydro-electric and wind

power).

 Reusing: it can be recycled and used for

other purposes like in another reactor as

fuel thereby protecting the

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environment.
 Water borne disease

 Microorganisms play a major role in water quality.

Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Escherichia coli and Vibrio
cholera cause typhoid fever, diarrhea, dysentery,
gastroenteritis and cholera. Presence of faecal coliforms of E.
coli is used as an indicator for the presence of any of these
water borne pathogens. Ground water contamination is the
leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it
accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily, and
the majority of them being children under 5 years old.
Children are generally more vulnerable to intestinal
pathogens, and it has been reported that about 1.1 million
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children die every year due to diarrheal diseases.

Water borne disease

82
 Water borne disease

 Monitored by testing for

presence of E. coli in the water
via a fecal coliform test

o Indicates the presence of

pathogenic organisms.

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 Different industries add different
pollutants

 Food processing plants- high BOD.

 Paper mills- High BOD and toxic compounds.

 Textile industry-the World Bank estimates that 17-20

percent of industrial pollution comes from textile
industry with 72 toxic chemicals being added to
water.
 The discharge from these factories includes heavy
metals and “hazardous and persistent chemicals
with hormone-disrupting properties” were found
84

being discharged from factories.

85
 Effect of Water Pollution
1- Agriculture

The waste that we dump on water bodies gets

accumulated on surface and ground water, this will

contaminate crops and cause diseases to consumers

and farm workers. Depositions of deleterious

chemicals in soil also leads to loss of soil fertility.

86
 Effect of Water Pollution
2- Ecosystems
Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in

the water, as coral reefs are affected by the bleaching

effect due to warmer temperatures. Additionally, the

warm water forces indigenous water species to seek

cooler water in other areas, causing an ecological

damaging shift of the affected area.

87
 Effect of Water Pollution
3- Human Health

Swimming in and drinking contaminated water

causes skin rashes and health problems like cancer,

reproductive problems, typhoid fever and stomach

sickness in humans. Which is why it is very important

to make sure that your water is clean and safe to

drink.
88
 Effect of Water Pollution
4- Animal Health

The main problem caused by water pollution is that

it kills life that depends on these water bodies.

Dead fish, crabs, birds, sea gulls, dolphins, and

many other animals often wind up on beach, killed

by pollutants in their habitat.

89
 Effect of Water Pollution
5-Economy

Improvement of water quality- Removal of organic

matter through aerobic decomposition; chlorination to

remove bacteria and suspended solids; precipitation of

salts, desalination, etc. during water treatment is

expensive for polluted water.

90
 Government
enforcement of
regulations

Disinfect Control of Treat of

drinking water wastewater
water pollution

Public education to
encourage personal
hygiene 91
Treatments of Wastewater

92
Treatments of Wastewater

93
 Treatments of Wastewater
Levels of Treatment and Success

 Primary treatment: Some pathogenic bacteria and some solids removed

 Secondary treatment: some viruses, more waste solids, more pathogenic

bacteria, and some dissolved organics removed, BOD lowered.

 Tertiary treatment: Phosphorous and nitrogen levels lowered, dissolved

organics and pathogenic bacteria lowered, waste solids completely removed.

 Chlorination treatment: Pathogenic bacteria completely removed, nitrogen

94

amounts lowered further, viruses lowered further.

 Tertiary treatment of wastewater
often includes Chlorine treatment

 Chlorine Dilemma
o Chlorine byproducts are linked to numerous cancers, miscarriages and
birth defects
o Peru stopped using chlorine
• 1991: huge cholera epidemic that infected 300,000 people
 Fluoridation
o Prevents tooth decay
o Linked to cancer, kidney disease
95
 Treatments for Human and Animal
Wastewater

 Manure lagoons- large,

human-made ponds line
with rubber to prevent the
manure from leaking into
the groundwater.

 After the manure is

broken down by bacteria,
it is spread onto fields as
fertilizers. 96
 Using Nature to
Purify wastewater

 Natural water purification system

o Sewage flows into anaerobic digester,

o Cleaner water then passes through artificial

marsh to remove some nutrients,

o Water flows into a passive solar greenhouse,

o Solar energy and natural processes

o remove and recycle nutrients,

97

o Diversity of organisms used.

 Using Nature to Purify wastewater water

 Sewage Walls.

o Run along residential block

o Channels sewage through terraced planters that

progressively filter and purify the waste.

 Living machines

o Look like aquatic botanical gardens, powered by sun

 Wastewater garden:

o Small, low tech artificial wetland to treat sewage

o Water flowing out can be used to irrigate gardens or

fields or flush toilets 98
Using Nature to Purify Wastewater
The Living Machine

99
Using Nature to Purify wastewater
The Living Machine

100
 Using Nature to Purify wastewater water
The Living Machine

This is an ecological wastewater

purification system called a living
machine. This Solar Sewage Treatment
Plant is in the U.S. city of Providence,
Rhode Island. Biologist John Todd is
demonstrating this ecological process he
invented for purifying wastewater by
using the sun and a series of tanks
containing living organisms. Todd and
others are conducting research to perfect
such solar–aquatic sewage treatment
systems based on working with nature.
101

Fig. 20-C, p. 553

 Water Laws
 Clean Water Act- (1972) supports the “protection and propagation of
fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water”.

1) Make all waters “fishable and swimmable”

2) Require discharge permits of major polluters

3) Identify toxic pollutants and require use of best practices

technology (BPT)

 Issued water quality standards that defined acceptable limits of

various pollutants in waterways.

 Effectively improved water quality from point sources. 102

 Water Laws

 Safe Drinking Water Act- (1974, 1986, 1996) sets the

national standards for safe drinking water.

 It is responsible for establishing maximum contaminant

levels (MCL) for 77 different elements or substances in

both surface water and groundwater.

103
104
 Indicators of Water Quality
 Scientists measure properties of water to characterize
its quality.

o Biological indicators: presence of fecal coliform

bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.

o Chemical indicators: pH, nutrient concentration,

hardness, dissolved oxygen, organic and inorganic
compounds.

o Physical indicators: turbidity, color, taste, odor,

and temperature.
105
 How can we determine Water Quality?

1) Measure physical water quality parameters as turbidity, color, taste, etc.

2) Measure chemical water quality parameters as oxygen demanding waste

o Determined by measuring biological oxygen demand (BOD)

3) Measure biological water quality parameters as the number of coliform bacteria

present in 100-mL sample

o WHO recommends 0 colonies/100mL drinking

o EPA max level of swimming 200 colonies/100mL

 Then compare the resulted data with national or international standards

according to the water use or any other aspect.* 106
 Dilution and Decay of Degradable, Oxygen- Demanding
Wastes in a Stream ( Oxygen Sag curve)

the oxygen sag

curve (blue) and
the curve of
oxygen demand
(red). Depending
on flow rates
and the amount
of biodegradable
pollutants,
streams recover
from oxygen-
demanding
wastes and from
the injection of
heated water if
they are given
enough time and
107
are not
overloaded Fig. 20-7, p. 534
108
109
 Reducing Surface Water Pollution
from Nonpoint Sources, How?

 Agriculture

o Reduce erosion

o Reduce the amount of fertilizers

o Plant buffer zones of vegetation

o Use organic farming techniques

o Use pesticides prudently

o Control runoff

o Tougher pollution regulations for livestock operations

110

o Deal better with animal waste.

From your opinion what are the causes for the
death of the fish in the following picture?

111
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