Unit 8
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Wastewater
water contaminated with human or animal wastes
Point source
a distinct location where pollution is directly produced
Non point source
a general location where pollution is produced. Is harder to control because there is no direct area we can cut off pollution
Example of non point source
farming area, neighborhoods that have connected septic systems
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
the amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over certain amounts of time
What does a higher BOD indicate?
more pollution from wastewater because microbial decomposition requires a lot of oxygen and comes from leaching waste or fertilizers
Dead zone
areas that do not have enough oxygen to support wildlife often because algae blooms cause algae to rapidly die and use too much oxygen in decomposition process
(Cultural) Eutrophication
when a body of water is rich in nutrients often because of leaching of fertilizer into the water
Algal blooms
caused from eutrophication and is when a lot of algae thrives because of the nutrient rich conditions
Indicator species
a species that indicates whether or not disease causing organisms are present
Example of indicator species
E-coli is found in our intestines that process poop. When E-coli is found in water, it means that the water is contaminated with our poop
Septic systems
a sewage treatment system that is made of a septic tank and a leach field. The septic tank lets waste separate into scum, septage, and sluge, and then releases the septage into our lawn through pipes. The existing bacteria in our lawn outcompete the harmful bacteria in the septage and cause them to die. No use of electricity and seen more in rural areas because these systems take up so much space
Scum
the lightest layer of sewage, floats at the top and is made of oil, fats, or small particles
Septage
the water that is the middle layer of the sewage that has a lot of bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous
Sludge
the heaviest layer that is made out of poop, bacteria, pathogens, and things heavier than water
Sewage treatment plants
collect sewage from a group of homes and treat it through primary and secondary treatment
Primary treatment
sifts throguh the sewage to separate large chunks of waste. Allows the sewage to sit and separate into sludge and water. Skims the scum off of the top of the sewage
Secondary treatment
bacteria is introduced to break down organic material and leave behind nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorous. Oxygen is introduced, which allows aerobic bacteria to take over and reduce the bad smells. Water is also treated with disinfectants like UV, ozone, and chlorine. Is then released into nature
Where does sludge end up?
fertilizer, burned, or landfill
Manure lagoon
human made ponds that are enclosed by rubber and contain water and poop. Is covered so anaerobic respiration takes place and releases methane
When is sewage dumping legal?
when wastewater from storm drains overwhelms the capacity of the sewage plants. Causes sewage plants to dump in nearby bodies of water
Neurotoxins
chemicals that harm the nervous system
Teratogens
chemicals that harm fetuses or embryos by impacting their development
Lead
a neurotoxin that can come from pipes that transport water