IMPACT OF POLLUTION

Is the solution to pollution

dilution?

Surface & Ground Water are Surface & Ground Water are Connected!Connected!

Losing Losing StreamStream

Gaining Gaining StreamStream

Human Human ImpactsImpacts

Population Growthhttp://zebu.uoregon.edu/1998/es202/archive/gt1f.gif

http://www.susps.org/images/worldpopgr.gif

The more impervious surfaces, the more the environment is impacted.

Development Impacts the Water Cycle

Land development increases the amount of IMPERVIOUS surfaces.

Materials like cement,Materials like cement,asphalt, asphalt,

Impervious Surfaces

roofing,and compacted soil that prevent percolation of runoff into the ground.

Stop groundwater recharge Prevent natural processing of pollutants Accumulate pollution Create express routes for pollutants to waterways Cause drought AND flooding

What do Impervious Surfaces do?

As LAND USE increasesAs LAND USE increases

And so do WATER QUALITY PROBLEMSAnd so do WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS

Land Use Impacts Resource Land Use Impacts Resource QualityQuality

Amount of IMPERVIOUS SURFACES increaseAmount of IMPERVIOUS SURFACES increase

Human ImpactsHuman ImpactsNonpoint Source Pollution:Nonpoint Source Pollution:•Polluted Runoff that Polluted Runoff that comes from comes from everywhereeverywhere in a watershed. in a watershed.•It is the #1 Water Quality Problem in It is the #1 Water Quality Problem in the U.S.*the U.S.*

* USEPA

You need to You need to know this know this stuff!!!!!stuff!!!!!

Pollutants of Concern - NUTRIENTS

NUTRIENTS:NUTRIENTS:•nitrates and nitrates and phosphates phosphates (natural (natural substances)substances)•elevated levels: elevated levels:

•EUTROPHICATIOEUTROPHICATION & HYPOXIA = N & HYPOXIA = increased aquatic increased aquatic plant growth, plant growth, which decreases which decreases dissolved oxygen dissolved oxygen levels.levels.•"blue baby" disease"blue baby" disease •cancer

Nonpoint Sources:Nonpoint Sources: animal waste, fertilizers, septic animal waste, fertilizers, septic systems, auto emissionssystems, auto emissions

Pollutants of Concern - PATHOGENSPathogensPathogens : :

•disease-causing disease-causing bacteria and viruses bacteria and viruses from fecal matter. from fecal matter. (poop)(poop)•They lead to shell-They lead to shell-fishing bans and fishing bans and beach closures.beach closures.

Nonpoint Sources:Nonpoint Sources: failing septic systems, failing septic systems, animal waste, marine sanitation devicesanimal waste, marine sanitation devices

Pollutants of Concern - SEDIMENTSEDIMENT:SEDIMENT:

•eroded soil or eroded soil or road sandroad sand•Clouds aquatic Clouds aquatic habitat: fish habitat: fish spawning areasspawning areas•carries other carries other pollutantspollutants

Nonpoint Sources:Nonpoint Sources: road sand, construction sites, road sand, construction sites, agricultural fields, disturbed areasagricultural fields, disturbed areas

Pollutants of Concern - TOXIC CHEMICALS

TOXIC CONTAMINANTSTOXIC CONTAMINANTS •heavy metals heavy metals •PesticidesPesticides•threaten the health of threaten the health of aquatic and human lifeaquatic and human life

•Bald eagle, brown Bald eagle, brown pelican, songbirds pelican, songbirds

•often resistant to often resistant to breakdownbreakdown

Nonpoint Sources: Nonpoint Sources: industrial, commercial, industrial, commercial, household and agricultural chemicals; auto household and agricultural chemicals; auto

emissionsemissions

• 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

TOXIC CHEMICALS – Mercury (Hg)

Pollutants of Concern - FLOATABLE DEBRIS

FLOATABLE FLOATABLE DEBRIS-DEBRIS- plastics and other plastics and other trash that trash that threaten threaten aquatic lifeaquatic life and and take away from take away from recreation and recreation and beautybeauty

Nonpoint Sources:Nonpoint Sources: illegal dumping, street illegal dumping, street litter, beach litter, boating wastelitter, beach litter, boating waste

How can we Help?How can we Help?

Drainage SystemsDrainage SystemsMake sure that drain spouts have the shortest route to the drain to prevent pollution from getting picked up along the way.

Septic SystemsSeptic SystemsCan be a source of nutrients & pathogens…Can be a source of nutrients & pathogens…

• What to do:What to do:• Properly dispose of chemicalsProperly dispose of chemicals• Maintain your systemMaintain your system• Watch for signs of failureWatch for signs of failure

Roof RunoffRoof Runoff

•What you can do:What you can do:•Redirect down spouts to pervious areasRedirect down spouts to pervious areas•Rain BarrelsRain Barrels•Rain gardensRain gardens

Roof water is relatively clean, and can be Roof water is relatively clean, and can be easily polluted by impervious surfaces.easily polluted by impervious surfaces.

Household Household ManagementManagement

Encourage and practice conservation:Encourage and practice conservation: Wise water/energy useWise water/energy use Car Washing Facilities Car Washing Facilities Environmental Lawn CareEnvironmental Lawn Care RecycleRecycle

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.