10/12 10. Water Pollution and Waste Management Free Online FlashCards

What is a point source of water pollution?

A point source is a single, identifiable pollution source, such as a wastewater outfall, industrial pipe, or leaking storage tank.

What is a nonpoint source of water pollution?

A nonpoint source is diffuse pollution carried from many locations by runoff, precipitation, drainage, or atmospheric deposition.

What does biochemical oxygen demand measure?

Biochemical oxygen demand is the dissolved oxygen microorganisms require to decompose biodegradable organic matter. High BOD usually indicates substantial organic pollution.

How does warmer water affect dissolved oxygen?

Warm water generally holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water, increasing oxygen stress for aquatic organisms.

What happens during primary wastewater treatment?

Primary treatment is mainly physical: screening, grit removal, sedimentation, and skimming remove large objects, solids, grease, and oils.

How does secondary wastewater treatment reduce pollution?

Secondary treatment uses aerobic microorganisms to consume organic matter, substantially reducing BOD. Biological solids are then separated from the treated water.

What is the purpose of tertiary wastewater treatment?

Tertiary treatment removes pollutants remaining after secondary treatment, including nutrients, fine particles, pathogens, salts, or trace contaminants.

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is the enrichment of a body of water with nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, causing excessive plant or algal growth.

How can nutrient pollution create an aquatic dead zone?

Excess nutrients stimulate algal growth; decomposition of dead algae raises BOD, lowers dissolved oxygen, and can create hypoxia or anoxia.

What is thermal pollution?

Thermal pollution is an undesirable human-caused change in water temperature, often from heated cooling-water discharge.

What characteristics can make waste hazardous?

Hazardous waste is identified by ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity, or because it is specifically listed under regulatory classifications.

What is landfill leachate?

Leachate is contaminated liquid that drains through solid waste and may threaten groundwater if not collected and treated.