Water Pollution Worksheet Chem440-2015
NON-POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION & SOME RESULTS
Pollutant
Ammonia nitrogen
Sources
Decaying organic material
Nitrates
Some Possible Results


Reduces amount of dissolved oxygen endangering fish.
Produces nitrogen which may stimulate growth of algae or undesirable plants
which can overload the ecological system.
Agricultural fertilizers,
sewage, industrial wastes,
drainage from feedlots, farm
manures & legumes


Large amount in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia (blue babies).
Stimulate growth of algae which can reduce dissolved oxygen when they die
& decompose.
Phosphates
Excessive drainage from
agricultural areas


Eutrophication. Algal blooms which result in oxygen depletion and fish kills.
Rapid decomposition of algae can produce odors associated with hydrogen
sulfide gas.
Sediment
Agriculture, forestry, urban
run-off, construction, mining

Decreases water clarity & light transmission which can interfere with fish
populations.
Acts as substrate foe organic pollutants. Decreases recreational and
commercial values of streams.
Decreases quality of drinking water


Salts (Salinity -- including
halides and bicarbonate
being converted to
carbonate)
Agriculture, mining, urban
run-off

Decreases species diversity by favoring salt tolerant species. Reduces crop
yield. Impacts stream habitats and plants that are food sources for other
species. Decreases quality of drinking water.
Pesticide, herbicides
Agriculture, forestry


Kill aquatic organisms.
Adversely affect reproduction, growth, respiration, and development in other
aquatic species.
Reduce food supply and destroy habitat of aquatic species.

Dr Seemal
Jelani
Water Pollution Worksheet Chem440-2015
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)
urban runoff




Bioaccumulate in tissues of plants, macroinvertebrates and fish.
Some are carcinogenic and/or mutagenic.
Decrease photosynthesis inaquatic plants.
Reduce recreational and commercial activities.

Bioaccumulate, biomagnify, and are toxic to aquatic life.( Biomagnification "Biomagnification is the sequence of processes in an ecosystem by which
higher concentrations of a particular chemical, such as the pesticide DDT, are
reached in organisms higher up the food chain, generally through a series of
prey-predator relationships."
Can produce carcinogenic metabolites when digested.

Polychlorinated biphenyls urban runoff, landfills
(PCBs)



Toxic to aquatic organisms; can bioaccumulate, biomagnify and be stored in
fat deposits.
Adsorb to sediments.
Persist in environment longer than most chlorinated compounds.
Petroleum hydrocarbons
urban runoff


Water soluble components can be toxic to life.
Portions may adsorb to particulate organic matter, be deposited in sediment
and may adversely affect biological functions.
Silica
decomposition of alumina
silicate minerals in the
drainage basin through which
the water flows


Forms hard, dense scale (which is resistant to heat transfer) in boilers.
Causes loss of turbine efficiency due to deposit of insoluble silica deposits on
turbine blades.
Sulfates
mining, industrial run-off

Lower pH in streams which stresses aquatic animals and leaches toxic metals
out of sediment and rocks.
High acidity and concentrations of heavy metals can be lethal to aquatic
organisms and eliminate entire aquatic communities.

Dr Seemal
Jelani
Water Pollution Worksheet Chem440-2015
Sulfides
sewage, industrial run-off,
paper manufacturing


In the form of hydrogen sulfide, cause noticeable odor.
Hydrogen sulfide is toxic; acts as a respiratory depressant in humans and fish.
Radionuclides
mining / ore processing,
nuclear power plant wastes,
commercial & industry


Some are toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic.
Some degenerate into other substances (e.g., radium and lead) which are
toxic and carcinogenic to aquatic organisms.
When ingested, they can bioconcentrate in tissues, bones and organs where
they emit radiation for a long time.

NON-POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION & SOME RESULTS
Pollutant
Ammonia nitrogen
Sources
Decaying organic material
Nitrates
Phosphates
Some Possible Results


Reduces amount of dissolved oxygen endangering fish.
Produces nitrogen which may stimulate growth of algae or
undesirable plants which can overload the ecological system.
Agricultural fertilizers, sewage,
industrial wastes, drainage from
feedlots, farm manures & legumes

Large amount in drinking water can cause
methemoglobinemia (blue babies).
Stimulate growth of algae which can reduce dissolved oxygen
when they die & decompose.
Excessive drainage from agricultural
areas



Sediment
Agriculture, forestry, urban run-off,
construction, mining


Dr Seemal
Jelani
Eutrophication. Algal blooms which result in oxygen depletion
and fish kills.
Rapid decomposition of algae can produce odors associated
with hydrogen sulfide gas.
Decreases water clarity & light transmission which can
interfere with fish populations.
Acts as substrate foe organic pollutants.
Water Pollution Worksheet Chem440-2015
Salts (Salinity -- including halides Agriculture, mining, urban run-off
and bicarbonate being converted
to carbonate)


Decreases recreational and commercial values of streams.
Decreases quality of drinking water.



Decreases species diversity by favoring salt tolerant species.
Reduces crop yield.
Impacts stream habitats and plants that are food sources for
other species.
Decreases quality of drinking water.

Pesticide, herbicides
Agriculture, forestry





Kill aquatic organisms.
Adversely affect reproduction, growth, respiration, and
development in other aquatic species.
Reduce food supply and destroy habitat of aquatic species.
Bioaccumulate in tissues of plants, macroinvertebrates and
fish.
Some are carcinogenic and/or mutagenic.
Decrease photosynthesis inaquatic plants.
Reduce recreational and commercial activities.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons urban runoff
(PAHs)


Bioaccumulate, biomagnify, and are toxic to aquatic life.
Can produce carcinogenic metabolites when digested.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) urban runoff, landfills



Toxic to aquatic organisms; can bioaccumulate, biomagnify
and be stored in fat deposits.
Adsorb to sediments.
Persist in environment longer than most chlorinated
compounds

Water soluble components can be toxic to life.


Petroleum hydrocarbons
Dr Seemal
Jelani
urban runoff
Water Pollution Worksheet Chem440-2015
Silica
Sulfates

Portions may adsorb to particulate organic matter, be
deposited in sediment and may adversely affect biological
functions.
decomposition of alumina silicate
minerals in the drainage basin through
which the water flows

Forms hard, dense scale (which is resistant to heat transfer) in
boilers.
Causes loss of turbine efficiency due to deposit of insoluble
silica deposits on turbine blades.
mining, industrial run-off



Lower pH in streams which stresses aquatic animals and
leaches toxic metals out of sediment and rocks.
High acidity and concentrations of heavy metals can be lethal
to aquatic organisms and eliminate entire aquatic
communities.
Sulfides
sewage, industrial run-off, paper
manufacturing


In the form of hydrogen sulfide, cause noticeable odor.
Hydrogen sulfide is toxic; acts as a respiratory depressant in
humans and fish.
Radionuclides
mining / ore processing, nuclear
power plant wastes, commercial &
industry

Some are toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic. Some
degenerate into other substances (e.g., radium and lead)
which are toxic and carcinogenic to aquatic organisms.
When ingested, they can bioconcentrate in tissues, bones and
organs where they emit radiation for a long time.

Dr Seemal
Jelani