Transcript Point and Non-point pollution

Point and Non-point pollution
• 8.E.1 Understand the hydrosphere
and the impact of humans on local
systems and the effects of the
hydrosphere on humans.
• 8.E.1.4
• Conclude that the good health of humans
requires:
– Monitoring of the hydrosphere
Water quality standards
Methods of water treatment
Maintaining safe water quality
Stewardship
• 8.E.1.3 Predict the safety and potability of
water supplies in North Carolina based on
physical and biological factors, including:
• Temperature
• Dissolved oxygen
• pH
• Nitrates and phosphates
• Turbidity
• Bio-indicators
Desired Outcomes
• To learn about factors affecting a
watershed.
• To begin conversation about how to
protect watersheds (urban stewardship).
Water
Water Pollution
• What do you think of when you hear these
words?
Watershed
• A region or area that may contain several
rivers, streams, or lakes that ultimately
drain into a particular watercourse or body
of water.
Waterbody
• Receives runoff from a watershed
• Lake, river, stream, ocean, pond, or basin
Everyone lives in a watershed
• Drain rainfall and melting snow to the
nearest waterbody that lies at the lowest
point in the watershed
• Can be small or large
• Are mostly interconnected
• Eventually drain into bays, gulfs, or
oceans
Water cycle
• Water is cycled continuously through our
environment
• Evaporates, is cycled back through
precipitation
Water Pollution
• 2 types
– A. Point Source- flows from pipes or comes
from specific points
• Industrial plant
• Sewage treatment plant
• Storm drains
• B. Non-point source pollution
– Generally results from land runoff, drainage or
seepage, after a rain event
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Fertilizers, pesticides
Oils, grease
Trash
All from yards, fields, and roads to the nearest
waterbody
Runoff
• Can contain pollution that may be
damaging
– Nutrients
– Toxins
– Bacteria
– Soil
– Can degrade our water quality
Water Quality Measures
• Temperature – lower temp = more
dissolved oxygen = better quality for living
things
• pH in the neutral range of 7 or near
• Nitrates – increase from waste; bad
• Bio-indicators – live in specific range of
conditions – if present; good quality
Turbidity
• Creates a cloudy effect
• Plants don’t get enough sunlight
• Oxygen is depleted
Home activities that cause pollution
• Improper use and disposal of household
chemicals, oils, cleaning solutions
• Excessive use of water
• Failure to maintain septic systems
• Abandoned wells
• Pet wastes
Best Management Practices
• Timber
– Plant terrain heavily with vegetation
– Cut timber selectively
– Put temporary hay bales in place until
vegetation grows
BMP - Farm
• Berm – prevents soil from entering the
waterbody
• Wetland – filters out sediment – natural
filtration system
• Contour plowing
• Conservation tilling
• Vegetative filter strips
• Cover crops
• Use pesticides and fertilizers appropriately
• Rotate crops
BPM – driveways and highways
• Prevent oil leakage
• Use dropcloth when changing the oil in
your car
• Recycle used oil
BMP – Cows and domestic animals
• Use manure container
• Don’t overapply manure to fields
• Increase nitrates
BMP – Lawns and golf courses
• Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly
• Don’t use a grass catcher on your lawn
– Grass clipping decompose and make a
natural fertilizer
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Have soil tested – control pH
Never dump grass into waterway
Don’t fertilize if heavy rain is predicted
Don’t mow grass too short
Choose plants suited for your area
Don’t dispose of clippings or leaves down
storm drains
BMP - household
• Be a smart shopper
– Buy biodegradable, recyclable products;
multipurpose products; non-aerosol sprays
– Reduce contaminants
– Use chemicals properly
– Dispose of chemicals properly
– Clean up after pets
– Use less water
– Maintain your septic tank properly
• Plant groundcover
• Don’t litter
Double Bubble
• Point
non-Point
Clean Water Act