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