Green Generation Aquatic Ecosystems (Continued) A) OVERVIEW OF AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS -Freshwater & Saltwater 1) Freshwater Ecosystems - of the 3% of water on earth that is freshwater, 2% is frozen in ice caps and only 1% is usable by organisms a) Lakes and Ponds – Lentic environments b) Rivers and Streams – Lotic environments 2) Wetlands – can be freshwater or marine/saltwater a) Freshwater wetlands (inland) – marshes, bogs, fens, summer wet tundra, prairie potholes, floodplains b) Marine wetlands (coastal) - salt marshes and mudflats 3) Estuaries – areas of water and shoreline where freshwater and saltwater merge Examples – Hudson River up to Albany, Chesapeake Bay (largest estuary in the 4)Marine Ecosystems – Oceans including coral reefs, shorelines, tidal zones 97% of water on earth is water in oceans Estuaries • = where freshwater stream/river merges with the ocean • Most bordered by wetlands • Mudflats, salt marshes • Salt concentration varies, high nutrients, grasses, algae, worms, oysters, crabs, many kinds of fish, many birds, many invertebrates • Many organisms breed and then migrate upstream Major Oceanic Zones • Pelagic zone, Continental shelf, photic zone, aphotic zone, benthic zone (deep) abyssal zone (deepest) • Hydrothermal vent communities • Life varies by depth, amount of light, distance from shore, and open water vs. bottom • Intertidal zone: Alternates submerged and exposed, daily tide cycle, Variable nutrients and temperature, Wave action Marine Ecosystems Coral Reefs • Warm shallow water • Barrier along continents • E.g. The Great Barrier Reef off Australia • Fringing islands • Atolls • Dominant organisms = corals (algae + polyp) The Progression of Coral Reefs 2) HUMAN ALTERATIONS/ PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM HUMAN IMPACT ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Water Diversion Overfishing Introduction of Invasive Species Thermal Pollution Pollution Point Source vs. Non-point source Pollution Organic, Inorganic and Toxic Substances Also, ocean and freshwater temps are rising due to greenhouse gases trapping more heat, which gets absorbed by bodies of water. Thermal Pollution & Rising Ocean Temperatures • Change in the water temperatures of lakes, rivers, and oceans caused by made-man industries or practices • Water as coolant is warmed returned & to body of water • Ocean warming from climate changes Coral Bleaching What is a pollutant? • Come from natural materials, synthetic materials, or the heat produced as an organism acquires or uses a resource • Natural vs. manmade • Pollutants are carried by runoff thru the watershed and into surface water (also think about groundwater) Water Pollution • Point vs. nonpoint sources • Eutrophication: Bacteria increase their rate of respiration which decreases dissolved oxygen (anaerobic bad!!!!) • Pathogens as pollutants: many waterborne diseases • Saltwater intrusion Pollution Sources of pollution •• • • •• •• • Harmfulpollution materials entering theofenvironment organic – decomposition living organisms and pollution their bi-products Point source – from a clearly inorganic pollution – dissolved and suspended identifiable source solids as silt, salts, and minerals Nonpoint pollution comes from many toxic pollution – heavy medals and other chemical different sources. compounds that are lethal to organisms Four main categories industrial, residential, thermal pollution – waste– heat from industrial and power generation commercial, andprocesses environmental radiation pollution - radioactive materials Eutrophication Eutrophication – bodies of water becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms. • run-off from fertilizers, into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels. • It causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more rapidly, resulting in algal blooms. • This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning and causes many problems. • The algae may use up all the oxygen in the water, leaving none for other marine life. This results in the death of many aquatic organisms such as fish, which need the oxygen in the water to live. • The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from photosynthetic marine plants under the water surface. • Some algae even produce toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can cause problems along the food chain and affect any animal that feeds on them. Types of Water Pollution and their Effects If water pollution is from a single source it is called point-source pollution while pollution coming from many sources is called nonpoint pollution. Source: Safe Water Drinking Foundation Type of Water Pollution Cause of Pollution Symptoms of Pollution Effect of Pollution Source of Pollution Biodegradable waste Humans and animals Decreasing numbers of fish and other aquatic life, increasing number of bacteria Increased number of bacteria, decreased oxygen levels, death of aquatic life Run-off, improperly treated effluent, Nutrients Nitrates and phosphates Green, cloudy, slimy, stinky water Algae blooms, eutrophication of water source Over use of fertilizers, runoff from fields, improper disposal of containers, wastewater treatment Heat Increased water temperature Warmer water, less oxygen, fewer aquatic organisms Decrease in oxygen levels, death of fish and plants Industrial run-off, wastewater treatment Suspended particles settling out of water Cloudy water, increased amount of bottom Warms up water, decreases depth of water source, deposits toxins Construction sites, farming and livestock operations, logging, flooding, city runoff, dams Chemicals Toxic and hazardous chemicals Water color changes, develops an odor, aquatic life die out Kills aquatic life, can enter human food chain, leads to birth defects, infertility, cancer and other diseases in humans and animals Human-made, improper disposal, run-off, dams, landfill leachate, industrial discharge, acid rain Radioactive pollutants Radioactive isotopes Increased rates of birth defects and cancer in human and animal populations. Kills aquatic species and leads to cancer and death in humans and other animals Waste water discharges from factories, hospitals and uranium mines Medical Medicines, antibiotics Infertility in aquatic organisms, and other unknown symptoms Unknown Humans dumping medicines into water systems, wastewater treatment Sedimentation Spills or Dumping in Oceans Chemical spills and dumping of waste in the oceans or near coral reefs and ocean shelf areas causes major environmental problems. BP Oil Rig Explosion 2010 Ocean Dead Zones Eutrophication is magnified as rivers lead into larger rivers and eventually into the ocean – as the Mississippi River network. This leads to ocean dead zones. GREAT BARRIER REEF – Before and After 2016 Marine Heat Wave MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES European Green Crab Lionfish Killer Algae N. Pacific SeaStar 3) SOLUTIONS TO AQUATIC ISSUES Removal of Pollutants - Water Treatment systems - Bioremediation Stabilization of the Ecosystem - removal of invasive species Reutilization and Recycling of Water What You Can Do to Help Cleaning Polluted Water • The water cycle naturally cleans water • Settling, Percolation, Distillation/evaporation, Decomposition • Sewage treatment (waste water, potable water)- primary, secondary, tertiary • Septic systems • Clean Water Act (1972) • Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 What can you do? • Do not dispose or dump hazardous materials on your property • Remove/replace leaking underground storage tanks, pipes, lawnmowers, cars, etc. • Use reclaimed water when possible • Limit water use • Choose nontoxic products • Use reef safe sunscreen when near coral reefs • Support and volunteer for environmental organizations working to support marine ecosystems Part 3: Solutions to reversing/reducing human impacts that harm our environment A. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for Solving Problems (Div. C) B. B. Sustainability Strategies C. Bioremediation Strategies SOLUTIONS FOR PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ITS RESOURCES The Tragedy of the Commons: (1968 paper by ecologist Garret Hardin) •“Freedom to breed” is bringing ruin to all. •Global commons such as atmosphere & oceans are used by all and owned by none. •When no individual has ownership, no one takes responsibility. •Examples: overfishing in the oceans, over pumping of the Ogallala Aquifer •Resource Utilization •Conservation: management or regulation of a resources to that its use does not exceed the capacity of the resources to regenerate itself •Preservation: maintenance of a species or ecosystem in order to insure their perpetuation (with no concern as to their potential monetary value. •Ecosystem Capital: putting an economic value on a resource •Natural Resource: the biotic and abiotic components that make up natural ecosystems Pollution Solutions 1. Prevention - raw materials, water, energy and other resources are utilized more efficiently, less harmful substances are substituted for hazardous ones, and toxic substances are eliminated from the production process 2. Cleanup – environmental remediation to remove present pollutants from the environment POLLUTION PREVENTION •Should be emphasized over remediation. •Prevention and protection are essential, better for the ecosystem, less expensive than remediation and overall, •more effective. •Conservation, preservation, identifying and setting aside critical habitat is essential and more important than •clean ups. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION Environmental remediation is the removal of pollution or contaminants from the environment Strategies and techniques include (coordinated by EPA) •Site assessment and mapping •Excavation and dredging •Pump and treat •Solidification and stabilization •Oxidation •Soil vapor extraction •Bioremediation – using microbes to remove pollutants • 1.Remediation for Water Pollution Involvement at many levels to prevent sources of pollution •individuals •communities •industries •states •federal governments Stabilization of the ecosystem • significant remedy to control water pollution •the reduction in waste input •harvesting and removal of biomass •trapping of nutrients •fish management •aeration Reutilization and recycling of water • industrial effluents (as paper pulp or other chemicals), •sewage of municipal and other systems •thermal pollutants (waste water etc.) may be recycled to beneficial use. Removal of pollutants •Various pollutants (radioactive, chemical, biological) present in water body •Using appropriate methods or remedy like adsorption, electro-dialysis, ion-exchange, reverse osmosis etc. SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES Sustainability - biological systems enduring and remaining diverse and productive thus the ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs and maintain a healthy world environment Strategies include •Minimize energy consumption & using alternate energy •Minimize water consumption •Minimize negative environmental impacts •Minimize waste generation and recycling •Develop eco-friendly products and processes •Strategies for a Sustainable World •advancing technologies to reduce waste •increasing recycling and reuse •creating even safer treatment and disposal options •developing sources of renewable energy •sharing the benefits of our learning and innovation MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY •Conservation: allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner •Preservation: setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities •Keystone species: species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others (sea otters, sea •stars, grizzly bears, prairie dogs) •Indicator species: species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged •Characteristics of endangered species: small range, large territory, or live on an island •Endangered species: a group of organisms in danger of becoming extinct if the situation is not •improved; population numbers have dropped below the critical number of organisms; North spotted Owl (loss of old growth forest), Bald Eagle (thinning of eggs caused by DDT), Piping Plover (nesting areas threatened by development), and many others •Invasive/Alien/Exotic species: non-native species to an area; often thrive and disrupt the ecosystem balance; examples: kudzu vine, purple loosestrife, African honeybee “killer bee”, water hyacinth, fire ant, zebra mussel, gypsy moth, Asian Long Horned Beetle •Billions of Dollars are being spent to prevent the introduction and spread of Invasive Species as well as controlling Invasive species who are already disrupting aquatic environments. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE •G.I. is going to be key to adapt to climate change, prevent non-point runoff, prevent dead zones, increase habitat resiliency, etc. •Build up ecosystem resilience to help prevent pollution. •Section 502 of the Clean Water Act defines green infrastructure as "...the range of measures that use plant •or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters." What is Green Infrastructure? | Green Infrastructure | US EPA AGENCIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION •World - United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) http://www.unep.org/ •US - United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov/
