Water pollution sp 09: Difference between revisions
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Farmers confine animals to small areas in order to make feeding and maintaining these animals more efficient. These areas then become sources of animal waste. If farmers don’t properly maintain their animal feeding operations, this waste which carries bacteria and viruses as well as oxygen-demanding organic compounds, runs off into nearby water sources. Animal waste can also seep into and contaminate groundwater. | Farmers confine animals to small areas in order to make feeding and maintaining these animals more efficient. These areas then become sources of animal waste. If farmers don’t properly maintain their animal feeding operations, this waste which carries bacteria and viruses as well as oxygen-demanding organic compounds, runs off into nearby water sources. Animal waste can also seep into and contaminate groundwater. | ||
==Urban Runoff== | |||
The permeable and varied nature of the terrain in natural landscapes allows water to seep into and filter through the ground and therefore runoff tends to reach water sources gradually. In cities and urban landscapes, water flows directly over the land on the surfaces of roads, bridges, and parking lots. As water drains into sewage systems, it gains speed causing erosion and widening stream channels. This damage results in “lower water depths during non-storm periods, higher than normal water levels during wet weather periods, increased sediment loads, and higher water temperatures.” | |||
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Revision as of 19:09, 3 May 2009
Water Pollution in Carlisle
Water Contaminants
Agricultural Runoff
Agricultural Runoff is one of the leading contributors to water quality impacts on surveyed lakes and rivers in the United States. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:zTfmf90Te_QJ:www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Ag_Runoff_Fact_Sheet.pdf+agricultural+runoff+water+quality+carlisle&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us In Carlisle it is the most significant potential contributor to the contamination of local water sources such as the Conodoguinet Creek. Agricultural runoff is the result of both crop growth and animal feeding operations.
Crops
Soil sedimentation is the most prevalent source of water contamination due to agricultural runoff. Rainwater washes soil off fields polluting streams and water sources nearby. This excess soil clouds water and damages aquatic plants by eliminating their source of sunlight. This soil can also clog the gills of fish and other aquatic wildlife. Fertilizers and pesticides attached to these soil particles also have an adverse effect on water quality. The agricultural industry has become increasingly dependent on the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. When phosphorous is carried into water sources it leads to accelerated eutrophication of these waters, limiting their use for fisheries, drinking, and recreation (Lal).
Animal Feeding Operations
Farmers confine animals to small areas in order to make feeding and maintaining these animals more efficient. These areas then become sources of animal waste. If farmers don’t properly maintain their animal feeding operations, this waste which carries bacteria and viruses as well as oxygen-demanding organic compounds, runs off into nearby water sources. Animal waste can also seep into and contaminate groundwater.
Urban Runoff
The permeable and varied nature of the terrain in natural landscapes allows water to seep into and filter through the ground and therefore runoff tends to reach water sources gradually. In cities and urban landscapes, water flows directly over the land on the surfaces of roads, bridges, and parking lots. As water drains into sewage systems, it gains speed causing erosion and widening stream channels. This damage results in “lower water depths during non-storm periods, higher than normal water levels during wet weather periods, increased sediment loads, and higher water temperatures.”
