Environmental Issues. Pollution n The presence of a SUBSTANCE in water, air, or soil that makes them...

Environmental Issues

Pollution

The presence of a SUBSTANCE in water, air, or soil that makes them OFFENSIVE to humans.

WATER

Is one of our most precious RESOURCES

Water

Water that is suitable for DRINKING is referred to as POTABLE water

Sources of Pollution Oil Products Soil Erosion Animal and Human Waste Chemical fertilizers, pesticides,

and herbicides High temperature water discharge

Eutrophication

An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment

Nutrients

Nutrients in water are expressed in terms of PARTS PER MILLIONS (PPM)

Nitrates

Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION

Sources of Nitrates

Animal Waste Human Waste Chemical fertilizers Dead and decaying

organisms

Eutrophication

One of the first INDICATIONS of eutrophication in water is the presence of ALGAE

Eutrophication

Also known as POND SCUM

Waste Control

Sewage Treatment Plants

Septic TanksWaste Lagoons

Sewage Treatment Plants

Larger towns and cities Treat waste water to remove

B.O.D. Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, &

UV Light Tremonton, Brigham City

Septic Tanks

Used in rural areasSettling tank and Drain

FieldWill not work if area is

densely populated

Waste Lagoons Used in dairies, feed lots, and

some towns and cities Logan and Perry Animal waste is stored in a

settling pond where it is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria

Water Pollution

Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water

Ground water

Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers

Surface Water

Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers

Non-Point Source Pollution

Pollution that originates from many sources

Point source pollution

Pollution that results from a single source

Erosion

Our largest environmental problem

Wasting away of soil by wind or water

Two main problems of erosion

The loss of TopsoilThe pollution of water by the erosion of soil

Soil Erosion Damage

Loss of topsoil Pollution of rivers and streams Kills fish and plants

Soil Conservation Service

An agency organized to help prevent the loss of topsoil and to stop erosion caused by the washing away of soil.

Examples of soil conservation practices Windbreaks Terracing Crop rotation (summer fallow) Contour plowing No-till and minimum till planting

Wetlands

A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year

Wetlands provide several roles

Habitat Filtering of water Water storage Flood prevention

EPA Regulations

Restrict use Incentives to preserve

wetlands Permit must be obtained

before land can be disturbed