The Catawba River and Pollution
The majority of avid paddlers, especially those of us near the U.S. National Whitewater Center here in Charlotte, know that the water quality of the Catawba River is considered “sketchy.” We have grown used to seeing the occasional, inexplicably dead catfish along the river banks and do not seem to question it anymore. What we don’t always realize is that the water quality is much worse than we had originally thought. For example, untreated sewage spills and line leaks from new developments along the river end up contaminating the nearby water, and therefore affect everything downriver from the sites.
These contaminants are not even the most severe issue. The most pressing issue on the topic of Catawba contamination
The Indian River Lagoon is a beauty to Florida, and a natural landscape, but, it is at risk from pollution. Chemicals, algae blooms, and harmful things that humans do to pollute it, it also puts the animals living in the lagoon at risk of dying, and becoming endangered. The causes of the Indian River Lagoon take effect greatly. Freshwater is also very important, it is a vital life source. There are harmful chemicals from pesticides, fertilizers, impacts this problem a lot.
“Carried by snow melt, rain water, and groundwater, NPS pollution contributes sediments, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), toxic substances, and pathogens to water bodies” (Maine Rivers 2005, ijc 2008). The Non Point Pollution generally due to stormwater in the downstream portion of the river; which are the most populated areas situated near the estuary;With the stormwater large amounts of pollutants are washed off to the river because of the impenetrable surfaces of that area which does not allow water to seep into the ground. Other sources of Nonpoint pollution are seepage from broken sewage and septic tanks, runoff from construction sites ,nutrients,sediments and chemicals from agricultural farms and roads. According to the report of International Joint Commission in 2008; “This untreated runoff may contain litter, dust, soil, oil and grease from roads, garden waste, chemicals, and nutrients and pathogens from animal feces and fertilizers” (IJC
I hypothesized that the Conodoguinet Creek is polluted. Through my research I have found that the Conodoguinet Creek is not polluted. One reason it is not polluted is because most of the macroinvertebrates and crustaceans we found in the creek are pollution sensitive creatures. Another reason the creek is not polluted is the level of acidity and alkalinity is 7 which is a healthy number on the pH scale. If the acidity or alkalinity levels were high scientists would have to find a way to neutralize the acid and alkaline.
However, an overabundance of some nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, impairs water quality. “Agriculture is the largest source of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.” quotes the Washington Post (Baker, 2015). About 50% of phosphorus and 40% of nitrogen dumped into the bay stems from agricultural runoff. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, “Each year, roughly 300 million pounds of polluting nitrogen reaches the Chesapeake Bay—about six times the amount that reached the bay in the 1600s.”(cfb.org). The major sources of the excess nutrients comes from over fertilization of crops with animal manure seeping into waterways, and animals having direct access to waters where waste is carried into the watershed (Baker, 2015).
When comparing and contrast the Petaluma watershed and the Monroe County watershed three important aspects are pollution, location, and uses. Pollution is very harmful to nature and can damage the health of a watershed. The Petaluma watersheds aren’t the healthiest compared to the Monroe County watershed, because even though many people try to protect it a lot of people throw trash into the watershed. The Monroe County watershed goes through everglades and protected park and people keep it clean. These things happen, because
The 2009 documentary River of Waste, directed by Don McCorkell, attempted to encourage the people to make sure to have a cleaner river and not to litter it with trash. They are trying to encourage you to keep a clean river. It would be better to have a clean river and not one littered with garbage. One where people throw away the trash and recycle any type of cans or plastic. Not throwing it in the river because that would kill a lot of fish and make the river look nasty.
All of this pollution is making it hard to keep people safe considering the water is unsafe to drink or even swim in. Factories using the water do not know that the water is
One of the waterways that has indulged the excessive amount of fertilizer is the mississippi river “At the mouths of rivers, such as the Mississippi,
Water Pollution is a huge environmental problem that has serious effects on marine habitats, animals, and water quality. BP1: The world's marine habitat has been getting worse because of how bad the pollution has gotten. “ Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land based activities “ (source 5 ). This quote explains how most of the water pollution is caused by human activity. “ Plastic litter does not degrade, can be expected to last in the oceans for hundreds of years “ ( source 6 ).
Rivers that passed through urban areas became a holder for human waste products. Factories began releasing pollutants directly into rivers and streams. By the 1850’s inhabitants began experiencing epidemics of cholera and typhoid. In 1969, chemical waste releasaed into Ohio’s Cuyahoga River caused it to burn into flames and the waterway became a symbol of how insutrial pollution was destroying America’s natural resources. Aditionally, mining activties also affected water pollution by increasing the amount of toxic elements released into the environment.
Oceans, seas, and coastal areas are essential to the Earth’s ecosystem and are critical to sustainable development. Two-thirds of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans, seas, and coastal areas, and contain 97% of the planet’s water. The oceans contribute to poverty eradication, create sustainable livelihoods for the three billion and plus people depending on it, are crucial for global food security and human health, and are the primary regulator of the global climate. The Oceans contribute to human well-being because they provide us with water, oxygen, and many natural food sources. Although there are many groups of people who depend on oceans for sustainable livelihoods, they are the most vulnerable because they become so reliant on natural resources and are harming themselves without even knowing it.
A Case Study on Polluter’s Dilemma I. Background/Point of View On a small plastic manufacturing, Jonica Gunson works as an environmental compliance manager. The company where she is working with is now facing a serious situation that needs to have a fast and decisive decision, decision whether to invest or not to invest money on new technology that will help decrease or as possible eliminate the level of toxic in the water which is flowing from the back of the factory up to lake. Though the company is compliant with the levels of emissions set by the Environmental Management board, the manager sees that environmental procedures for this specific toxic are sheathing behind logical evidence, particularly that there is a protest from a certain scientist that is publish in the newspaper.
Pollution is the introduction or release of substances or energy that decrease the quality of the marine environment. Many pollutants are toxic of harmful to marine life (Castro and Huber, 2010). South Africa is known around the world for being one of the most diverse marine environment in the world, with 83% of the known fish families residing in South Africa (Van der Elst, 2007). There are also many marine species that are endemic to South Africa, which means they are only found in South Africa. Almost 30% of the South African population lives on the coastline (Taljaard et al. 2006), which has led to the urbanization of the coastlines and which then led to the industrialization of these areas.
Two major areas of concern are fresh water and inadequate sanitary infrastructure (septic tanks, sewage systems, waste treatment plants, aqueducts and landfills). There are also concerns around pollution, forest removal, scenic beauty,
The ocean is nowadays undergoing numerous environmental issues that further lead to marine pollution. Marine pollution is a very serious environmental issue that most of the countries of the world encounter. Aquatic littering is considered as one of the major causes of marine environment. The misleading use of the marine environment is extremely impacting the marine life and ecosystems. Moreover, the total amount of toxins and debris discharged by human beings is incredibly increasing in today 's world.