Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.1 – Nature of Pollution

Pollution

The contamination of the Earth and atmosphere to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.

Can be natural/human caused

Can be deliberate/accidental

Pollution

Can be matter (solid, liquid, gas) or energy (noise, light, heat)

Major Pollution Sources: Combustion of Fossil

FuelsCarbon Dioxide

Greenhouse gas

Sulfur DioxideAcid deposition (tree/fish death)

Photochemical SmogRespiratory problems

Carbon MonoxideBinds hemoglobin, can cause death

Major Pollution Sources: Domestic Waste

Organic Waste (food/sewage)

EutrophicationFills landfills

Waste Paper/Plastics/Glass/Metals

Fills landfillsReduces natural resources Energy used to produce causes pollution

Major Pollution Sources: Industrial Waste

Heavy MetalsPoisoning

FluoridesPoisoning

HeatReduces dissolved oxygen

LeadDisabilities in children

AcidsCorrosive

Major Pollution Sources: Agricultural Waste

NitratesEutrophication

Organic WasteEutrophication

PesticidesAccumulate up food chains

Point Source Pollution

Pollution released from a single, identifiable source.

Examples:A factory smokestack or exhaust pipeA sewage pipeA specific incidentA very bright light

Non-point Source Pollution

Release of pollutants from dispersed origins

Examples:Agricultural runoffVehicle exhaustUrban runoff

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.2 – Detection and Monitoring of Pollution

Pollution Monitoring

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen required by micro-organisms to break down the organic material in water

Source of Pollutant BOD (mg DO)

Unpolluted River 0-5

Treated Sewage 20-60

Raw Sewage 350

Cattle Manure 10,000

Paper Pulp Mill 25,000

Pollution Monitoring

Indicator SpeciesOrganisms that show something about the environment by their presence, absence, or abundance.

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.3 – Approaches to Pollution Management

Pollution Management Srategies

Replace-Regulate-Restore

Pollution Management Strategies

ReplaceDevelop alternate technologiesAdopt alternate lifestyles

Pollution Management Strategies

RegulateSetting and imposing standardsIntroducing measures for extracting the pollutant from waste

Pollution Management Strategies

RestoreExtracting and removing pollutant from ecosystemReplanting and restocking with plant/animal populations

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.4 - Eutrophication

Eutrophication

The addition of excess nutrients to a water ecosystem, causing algae to bloom

Usually nitrates and phosphates

DetergentsFertilizersLivestock drainageSewage

Eutrophication Process1. Fertilizers wash into

lake

2. Algae bloom, light to plants decreases, plants die

3. More algae=more zooplankton=more small fish

4. Algae die and are decomposed by bacteria, oxygen level goes down, everything dies

5. Turbidity increases

Eutrophication Management

ReplaceStop/change fertilizers/waste

Plant buffer zones

RegulateLimit pollutants

RestorePump air through lake

Dredge lake bottom

Remove algae physically or by algicides

Reintroduce species

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.5 – Solid Domestic Waste

Types of Solid Domestic Waste

Garden Waste/Kitchen Waste

Glass, wood, metal, plastics

Paper

Textiles

Diapers

Solutions to Waste

Landfill

Compost

Recycle (or Reuse)

Incineration

Topic 5 – Pollution ManagementTopic 5.6 – Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone

Atmosphere Structure

Main Components:Nitrogen (78%)

Oxygen (20%)

Argon (1%)

CO2 (.038%)

Temperature and pressure vary with altitude

Ozone Layer

Ozone (O3) is more concentrated in the low stratosphere (12-20mi)

O3 absorbs UV radiation in a process that converts O2to O3 and back

UV Radiation (UV-B)

Causes eye damage, cataracts, sunburn, and skin cancer in humans (and some animals)

Can damage plants and phytoplankton

Ozone Depleting Substances

CFCs

Refrigerants

1987 Montreal Protocol called for a sharp reduction in CFCs and other Ozone Depleting Substances