sources and types of pollution
point sources
a single identifiable source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution
phosphates
chemical compounds that contain the phosphate ion Essential nutrients for plants and animals, playing a critical role in cellular processes like energy transfer and the formation of DNA and cell membranes.
clean water act
establishes the basic structure for regulating pollution in U.S. waters.
aerobic bacteria
bacteria that can grow and live when oxygen is present.
dead zone
an area of a body of water that has low levels of dissolved oxygen due to the decay of plant matter and is unable to support most forms of aquatic life in its hypoxic water .
nonpoint sources
occurs when runoff from rain and snowmelt carries pollutants into waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and even groundwater.
fecal coliform testing
a method used to detect the presence of fecal coliform bacteria in water, which are a subgroup of total coliform bacteria
safe drinking water act
established to protect the quality of drinking water in the U.S. This law focuses on all waters actually or potentially designed for drinking use, whether from above ground or underground sources.
anaerobic bacteria
bacteria that do not live or grow when oxygen is present.
septic tank
a buried, watertight tank designated and constructed to receive and partially treat raw domestic sanitary wastewater
pathogens
microorganisms that can cause disease in their host. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
dissolved oxygen
the amount of oxygen that is present in water
primary sewage treatment
physical process that removes large impurities
algal bloom
a rapid increase in the density of algae in an aquatic system.
EXTRA: acid rain
precipitation with high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids, damaging ecosystems
oxygen-demanding waste
organic materials in water that require oxygen for decomposition by bacteria and other microorganisms.
oxygen sag curve
the decrease in dissolved oxygen levels downstream from a pollution source
secondary sewage treatment
biological process that removes organic matter of sewage through the action of microbes.
groundwater
the water present beneath Earth's surface in rock and soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations.
EXTRA: deforestation
large scale clearing of forests leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions
nitrates
compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen, specifically the nitrate ion.
they are a key component of the nitrogen cycle and are essential for plant growth, but in excess, they can pose environmental and health risks.
(cultural) eutrophication
occurs when human water pollution speeds up the aging process by introducing sewage, detergents, fertilizers, and other nutrient sources into the ecosystem.
tertiary sewage treatment
a method of wastewater treatment that consists of eliminating non-biodegradable pollutants.
aquifer
a body of rock and/or sediment that holds groundwater.
EXTRA: soil erosion
the removal of topsoil by wind, water, or human activity, degrading land fertility