可持续发展经济介绍之循环经济讲解environment.pptVIP

Key Concepts Types, Effects, and Sources of Water Pollution Water is polluted by infectious bacteria, inorganic and organic chemicals, and excess heat. Water pollution is any chemical, biological, or physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms. The WHO estimates that 3.4 million people die prematurely each year from waterborne diseases. In the U.S., an estimated 1.5 million people a year become ill from infectious agents. Scientists monitor water quality by using bacterial counts, chemical analysis, and indicator organisms. One method of measuring water quality involves measuring the number of colonies of fecal coliform bacteria present in a water sample. Drinking water should not contain any colonies/100 milliliters, Chemical analysis includes checking inorganic and organic chemicals present, sediment content, and turbidity of water. Indicator species are living organisms that are monitored to determine levels of pollution. Sources of Water Pollution Point and Nonpoint Sources Sources of water pollution The leading sources of water pollution are agriculture, industries, and mining. 1. Agricultural activities are the leading cause of water pollution from erosion, overgrazing, fertilizers and pesticides, and excess salt from irrigated soils. 2. Industrial facilities are another large source of water pollution, and mining is a third source. One of every five people in the world lacks access to safe drinking water. Ninety-five percent of people in developed countries and 74% of people in developing countries have access to clean drinking water. In a warmer world, too much rain and too little rain can increase water pollution. Pollution of Freshwater Streams Streams can recover from moderate levels of degradable water pollutants if the flows are not reduced. 1. A combination of dilution and biodegradation can allow recovery of stream pollution 2. The breakdown of pollutants by bacteria creates an oxygen sag curve. O