Introduction: Rainwater runoff, also called non-point source, is everywhere, especially in the artificial concrete communities that we live in. Rainwater runoff occurs after rain showers and thunderstorms, when the water flows down streets, sidewalks and gutters. There is so much rainwater runoff now a day because of the colossal neighborhoods and buildings and parking lots we are creating. The runoff happens when the water can’t soak into the ground, like it naturally does. With growing cities and industrialization, runoff water is becoming more and more of a problem and people need to start worrying about it. Runoff water has the possibility of becoming very dangerous, depending on what the water takes with it. Pesticides, garbage, bacteria, sediments from roads, feces and oil/gasoline are just some of the many substances that rainwater runoff carries with it on it’s journey; and lets not forget about all of the possible toxic chemicals that would fall into its path. So many residencies have been built, causing more runoff water because it isn’t being absorbed into the soil, since the soil is covered in concrete or other substances that were used to build. Everything that rests in gutters also goes down into the soil and in sewers that dump water into soil or other bodies of water, and the effects can both be positive and negative. Substances such as phosphate can travel with the runoff water into areas with soil and grass, causing it to grow faster. While some people may think fast growing grass is helpful, lets not forget about the rest of the environment the phosphate can effect. Certain algae’s can be harmful to humans when ingested. After knowing that, people should realize that it is time for environmental management to co...
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...ls are not very suitable for drinking water but they could be suitable for plants and animals to live with. The pH level from both sample one and sample two of runoff water was eight and a half. The tests from both sample one and sample two of runoff water contained a very high level of nitrate content of about ten and a half. The phosphate levels from both sample one and sample two was about 10 and a half.
Conclusion: The phosphate levels in rainwater runoff in the environment can be very harmful to humans, but not plants. Phosphate helps the plants, grass and algae grow and certain plants and algae are harmful. But at the same time, excess phosphate means excess algae and excess algae lowers the dissolved oxygen levels and if the dissolved oxygen levels are lowered, many fish and aquatic animals cannot survive, leaving the environment with plants but no animals.
Many animals and people use the Everglades’ water supply as their primary water source. However, the contaminated water is not good for humans or animals to drink. Based on the article “Water Quality Nearly Halts Everglades Restoration” people are concerned about the water quality because of, “...the amount of phosphorus present in the water.” The excessive amount of phosphorus in the water contaminates it and makes unclean water for animals and people to drink. The unclean water supply, which provides almost 7 million with water, has created contaminated water to millions of people and animals. The contaminated water supply has greatly affected animals in the Everglades. The animals in the Everglades, who live off the water, have toxic water to drink. The Everglades’ water supply is filled with chemicals, nitrogen, and phosphorus from fertilizer causing unhealthy water for animals who live in the wetlands. The greatly contaminated water of the Everglades has created toxic water for the park’s animals. (Can We Fix the Water
First test you will see if the phosphates test. All together, the average of the test was 0.3 ppm. Which in that case is good showing that there is not much eutrophication in the creek. My group personally did a nitrates test. Our group got about 0.4 ppm. On average the tests were around 0.8 ppm. Like the phosphates that means that there isn’t much eutrophication in the creek. Another test we did was a dissolved
The lake receives all of the storm runoff water from the land around it which is what causes the lake to be overrun with phosphorus. Phosphorus is actually considered a nutrient for the lake and is essential for the survival of a lot of the lake’s plant life. However, too much of the element impacts the biodiversity of the lake: there is a large increase in algae, which in turn, affects the rest of the life in the lake. Winnipesaukee Gateway lists more effects: decrease in water clarity, increased chlorophyll-a, increased cloudiness of the water, and decreased oxygen
Aim: To determine what effect agricultural runoff has on surrounding environment, and to find what solutions can be made to reverse any damage.
Urban runoff is the pollution washed into the oceans from, “irrigation runoff, households, and storm events, as well as contributions of raw sewage from degrading infrastructure and accidental spills,” (Dwight Fernandez). Urban runoff is a major issue facing California’s beach water quality. The two main sources of coastal water pollution in California are treated sewage and urban runoff, and in Southern California urban runoff is the primary cause of contamination in coastal waters (Brinks). Analysis has shown that urban runoff waters contain, “infectious and toxic pollutants,” posing a serious risk to beachgoers across California (Dwight, Fernandez). Southern California’s dense urban infrastructure, in particular, is conducive to generating urban runoff that is washed int...
The addition of large quantities of phosphates to waterways accelerates algae and plant growth in natural waters (Hooper), enhancing eutrophication and depleting the water body of oxygen. This can lead to fish kills and the degradation of habitat with loss
The amount of microvertebrates found shows the biodiversity of the creek and the general ecological condition of the river. The levels of dissolved oxygen is important because aquatic life (plants, aerobic bacteria, invertebrates, and fish) all need it at a specific level to live. Nitrogen acts as a fertilizer for aquatic plants that also serve as a food to aquatic animals. Sterile water normally has a nitrate level less than 4ppm, while nitrate levels more than 40ppm means that the water is considered unsafe drinking water.
In another case study relating to amphibians, scientists exposed species tolerant Bufo americanus (American toad) and the not tolerant Rana sylvatica (wood frog) to pond sediments in laboratory microcosms. Microcosms are experimental ecosystems created to simulate and predict the behavior of natural ecosystems under controlled conditions. The ecosystems had elevated sediment metal levels and chloride water concentrations. The reason for this experiment was to look at issues in rapidly urbanizing areas and the potential impact of stormwater runoff to natural bodies of water. Roof tops, roads, and parking lots are just a few examples of the typical urban and suburban areas that collect a wide range of pollutants such as metals, salts, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Councell et al., 2004; Davis et al., 2001; Marsalek, 2003; Pitt et al., 1995; Van Metre and Mahler, 2003). The stormwater ponds are a common feature in stormwater management plans, and are designed to detain (detention ponds) or retain (retention ponds) stormwater runoff, allowing pollutants like metals, sediments, and nutrients to be removed from the runoff and reducing the impact of flooding on natural bodies of water (Novotny, 1995; US Environmental Protection Agency, 1991). Since stormwater ponds often have plants and vegetation, they are important in that they often provide habitat for
I decided to experiment with pHs within the range pH 2 to pH7, as I
Phase one in process of waste water treatment begins in the home, local businesses and community. Waste water from these buildings and surrounding areas travel through a pipe, or sewer which is sloped downward, and with the assistance of gravity, travels toward the waste water treatment plant. However, in larger communities or communities with unevenly leveled terrain, waste water cannot keep getting deeper to rely on gravity to transport the waste water and must pumped up by the assistance of a lift station so it may continue to travel to the water treatment plant. Once the waste water arrives at the waste water treatment plant, the first step is the removal of large debris such as diapers, underwear or other non-biological...
I am particularly surprised how the agricultural industry inflicts these problems on themselves, by excessive use of sewage systems and pollutants which find their way to local rivers [Fig 1.]. The trophic state (i.e. the natural nutrition factors) and biodiversity of lakes and rivers are greatly effected by the main nutrients involved, nitrates and phosphates. The transition occurs mainly between a mesotropic state, with an average biological productivity to a eutrophic state where there is a larger production of organisms due to high nutrient concentrations. Tropical reservoirs in particular often become eutrophic.
The problem of water scarcity has increasingly spread throughout the world as of yet, The UN reports that within the next half- century up to 7 billion people in 60 countries which is more than the whole present population will face water scarcity (Sawin “Water Scarcity could Overwhelm the Next Generation”). As well the demand for freshwater has tripled over the past 50 years, and is continuing to rise as a result of population growth and economic development. 70% of this demand derives from agriculture which shows the influence of water on food supply globally as well not just drinking water (Sawin “Water Scarcity could overwhelm the Next Generation”). But increasing water use is not just a matter of the greater number of people needing it to drink and eat; it also comes from pollution and misuse of water supplies, by either dumping or runoff of bacteria or chemicals into water. This also “causes other pollutions as well such as soil and air pollution, accelerating wetland damage and human caused global warming” (Smith and Thomassey 25). According to UN report, recent estimates suggest that climate change will account for about 20 percent of the increase in global water scarcity in coming decades.
There are many causes to the ongoing pollution problems in India. One of the most significant issues is the shocking levels of pollution that have created contaminated water. For instance, cities located on the banks of river have led to factories and businesses dumping chemicals. The water is further contaminated by human sewage. There is a significant amount of sewage that is not treated and continues to flow directly into the rivers. With a volume of nearly 40 million liters of sewage every day and barely 20 percent of it treated, the efforts it would take to address this issue are staggering (Davis). Additional contaminates affecting water quality include cremation grounds by the rivers (Rogers). Water pollution is a serious problem in India as almost 70 per cent of its surface water resources and a growing percentage of its groundwater reserves are contaminated by biological, toxic, organic, and inorg...
Pollution can have an impact on our health, not only affecting people with impaired respiratory systems such as asthmatics, but very healthy adults and children too. Plants can be a benefit for pollution in the air, trees, bushes and other greenery growing in the concrete-and-glass canyons of cities can reduce levels of two of the most worrisome air pollutants by eight times more than previously believed. The more trees we can plant the less pollution we get and more air than just having a huge land and having abandoned buildings taking up space. To solve water pollution is to conserve soil, the best way to combat soil erosion is to keep the banks of waterways well-covered with soil-retaining plants.
Fresh water is a limited resource in many parts of the world. And this will become more dearth due to increasing in population, urbanization and climate change. The major fact for this paucity of fresh water is not only due to demand for water but also due to pollution in freshwater ecosystem. Due to the pollution created by human beings in this ecosystem, the usable water has decreased drastically and the cost of purifying the water has increased dramatically. The main sources of water pollution are point source and non point source. Point sources include pipeline discharge of pollutants such as domestic sewage discharge industrial waste effluents from factories or plants, to receiving waters. In contrast, non-point pollution results from storm runoff, which transports polluting materials diffusely over land.