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IMPACT OF POLLUTION

IMPACT OF POLLUTION. Is the solution to pollution dilution?. Surface & Ground Water are Connected!. Gaining Stream. Losing Stream. Human Impacts. Population Growth. http://zebu.uoregon.edu/1998/es202/archive/gt1f.gif. http://www.susps.org/images/worldpopgr.gif. What will 2030 Look Like?.

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IMPACT OF POLLUTION

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  1. IMPACT OF POLLUTION Is the solution to pollution dilution?

  2. Surface & Ground Water are Connected! Gaining Stream Losing Stream

  3. Human Impacts Population Growth http://zebu.uoregon.edu/1998/es202/archive/gt1f.gif http://www.susps.org/images/worldpopgr.gif

  4. What will 2030 Look Like?

  5. Development Impacts the Water Cycle The more impervious surfaces, the more the environment is impacted.

  6. Land development increases the amount of IMPERVIOUS surfaces.

  7. Materials like cement, asphalt, roofing, and compacted soil that prevent percolation of runoff into the ground. Impervious Surfaces

  8. What do Impervious Surfaces do? • Stop groundwater recharge • Prevent natural processing of pollutants • Accumulate pollution • Create express routes for pollutants to waterways • Cause drought AND flooding

  9. As LAND USE increases Amount of IMPERVIOUS SURFACES increase And so do WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS Land Use Impacts Resource Quality

  10. Human Impacts • Nonpoint Source Pollution: • Polluted Runoff that comes from everywhere in a watershed. • It is the #1 Water Quality Problem in the U.S.* You need to know this stuff!!!!! * USEPA

  11. Pollutants of Concern - NUTRIENTS • NUTRIENTS: • nitrates and phosphates (natural substances) • elevated levels: • EUTROPHICATION & HYPOXIA = increased aquatic plant growth, which decreases dissolved oxygen levels. • "blue baby" disease • cancer Nonpoint Sources:animal waste, fertilizers, septic systems, auto emissions

  12. Pollutants of Concern - PATHOGENS • Pathogens: • disease-causing bacteria and viruses from fecal matter. (poop) • They lead to shell-fishing bans and beach closures. Nonpoint Sources:failing septic systems, animal waste, marine sanitation devices

  13. Pollutants of Concern - SEDIMENT • SEDIMENT: • eroded soil or road sand • Clouds aquatic habitat: fish spawning areas • carries other pollutants Nonpoint Sources:road sand, construction sites, agricultural fields, disturbed areas

  14. Pollutants of Concern - TOXIC CHEMICALS • TOXIC CONTAMINANTS • heavy metals • Pesticides • threaten the health of aquatic and human life • Bald eagle, brown pelican, songbirds • often resistant to breakdown Nonpoint Sources: industrial, commercial, household and agricultural chemicals; auto emissions

  15. TOXIC CHEMICALS – Mercury (Hg) • Can permanently damage the brain and nervous system • Young children and fetuses are most at risk • Comes from • landfills (thermometers, thermostats, switches, fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries) as it leaches into the groundwater • Burning coal (ash is dispersed and settles on the land) • Bacteria create methylmercury once in the water and are ingested by fish

  16. Pollutants of Concern - FLOATABLE DEBRIS FLOATABLE DEBRIS- plastics and other trash that threaten aquatic life and take away from recreation and beauty Nonpoint Sources:illegal dumping, street litter, beach litter, boating waste

  17. How can we Help?

  18. Drainage Systems Make sure that drain spouts have the shortest route to the drain to prevent pollution from getting picked up along the way.

  19. Septic Systems Can be a source of nutrients & pathogens… • What to do: • Properly dispose of chemicals • Maintain your system • Watch for signs of failure

  20. Roof Runoff Roof water is relatively clean, and can be easily polluted by impervious surfaces. • What you can do: • Redirect down spouts to pervious areas • Rain Barrels • Rain gardens

  21. Household Management Encourage and practice conservation: • Wise water/energy use • Car Washing Facilities • Environmental Lawn Care • Recycle

  22. OBEY THE LAWS • Clean Air Act (1970) • regulates air emissions from all sources (acid rain, ground-level ozone, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air toxics.)  Catalytic converters & scrubbers • Clean Water Act (1972) • regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. It gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. • National Environmental Protection Act (1969) • Pollution Prevention Act (1990) • Kyoto Protocol (1992) – not signed by U.S.

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