Water Pollution Post 1

Within the category of water pollution, there are two separate classifications of pollution known as point Source and non-point Source pollution. Point Source pollution is generally known as a source of pollution that can be pointed at and is an obvious source. A point source pollutant’s impact in that area can be changed by changing the specific source. Non-Point pollution is the exact opposite of point source pollution; the source cannot be pointed to directly, and cannot necessarily be changed by altering one factor in the source. For example, there are problems associated with oil and lead contaminants in water, which can both be classified as point source and non-point source pollution respectively. Any person could point to an automotive factory as a source of oil pollution, and it is impossible to point out one single lead pollution source because there are multiple. Though both sources of pollutants are harmful to the environment, there are factors that contrast the two different types of pollution.

Point sources can be detrimental. Examples including power plants, smelters, industrial and commercial boilers, wood and pulp processors, paper mills, industrial surface coating facilities, refinery and chemical processing operations, and petroleum storage tanks, these sources can hurt the environment. Oil is considered a point source, and a very devastating one taking a toll on Detroit. The following description is that of a common method of detecting point source pollution.

“[One method includes] an apparatus which floats on the surface of the water in which oil pollution is to be detected. The apparatus comprises a collector wheel having an oleophilic perimeter surface (such as polyethylene); the bottom portion of this wheel dips below the surface of the water on which the apparatus f

loats, and as the wheel rotates its perimeter surface picks up water if no oil is present. However, if there is even a small amount of oil on the surface of the water, the wheel perimeter will become coated with oil to the exclusion of water. A collector blade removes the liquid from the wheel perimeter and directs it to a detecting surface having at least two spaced electrodes. A voltage is imposed across the electrodes, and when water is deposited on the detecting surface, it will cause a small current to be conducted. However, when oil is deposited on the detecting surface, no current flows between the electrodes and an alarm system is activated. An oscillating wiper keeps the scraper and detecting surface free of sludge or other impurities” (“Method”).

Causes of oil pollution include many different factors both natural and manmade. They can come from big spills, air pollution from factories that have washed into the ocean, maintenance of ships, oil runoff from land, spills and operational discharges that occur during offshore drilling and natural seeps that occur at the bottom of the ocean. If any of these are detected, the water needs to be cleaned, and therefore avoided until then. The lethality of the spill depends on the volume of oil spilled, and the volume of the water it was spilled in. If a lot of oil was spilled in a small amount of water, it will be lethal. Affects of oil pollution can be wide spread.

“When oil starts mixing in water, it can change composition and becomes what's known as "mousse". This is a sticky substance that clings even more to whatever it comes in contact with. Many marine animals don't know to avoid aslick and some fish may even be attracted toit as it can resemble food” (Tips).

Being a huge part of car factories, oil is a main contaminant within the Detroit area. Within the Rouge River, the water is contaminated with oil. This can be a health factor for all the people within the area. If the automotive industry continues to produce oil as it does, the water could continue to become more contaminated and may loose the ability to be cleaned or filtered.

When oil is present in drinking water, it can cause significant illnesses in people. Consuming small amounts of oil result in irritation of the stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea, though it’s not likely to cause long term illnesses. If vomiting occurs, it’s possible that the oil could enter the lungs. To prevent oil contamination in drinking water, the government takes protective measures to prevent oil from industry from entering water and protect against oil spills. In 1972, the EPA established a Federal Clean Water Act to set standards of avoiding pollution in drinking water by reporting all serious pollution found, and in Detroit, an early warning system regarding oil spotted in rivers is a key objective to oil prevention.

Lead is a non-point type of pollution that is often found in drinking water. To prevent high levels of lead from entering drinking water, water is first fully flushed before it can be used for consummation and cooking. The effectiveness of filtering devices installed in taps vary between effective and not effective. One common method of filtering known as reverse osmosis is sometimes more effective than others, however Lead is not filtered out of water when carbon, sand, and cartridge filters are used.

One method of detecting lead in water is by a quick color test. A citric acid solution is put onto filter paper along with a water sample to extract lead. A lead sensitive chromogen indicates the presence of lead on the paper. Sources of lead contamination in the city of Detroit include: lead deposits in the soil around former smelters (run-off), the water runs through old lead plumbing and automotive emissions from leaded gasoline used before 1986.

In the City of Detroit, 6% of all children six years of age and younger tested in 2004 were identified to have lead poisoning (Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion 2005a).Effects of lead contaminants in water can be very serious in infants and children who are not done growing and developing. In these children, lead can delay neurological and physical developments such as developments of muscles, nerves, and brain cells. Massive lead contaminations can affect children later in life as well, and is related to several behavioral problems involving attention span and IQ. Adults can recover from massive lead poisoning but can still have serious symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, aggressive behavior, anemia, constipation, difficulty sleeping, headaches, irritability and a low appetite and energy. Severe lead poisoning in adults can cause permanent brain, kidney, and nervous system damage as well as problems with reproduction and the function of muscles and joints.

Overall both point and non point pollution can be serious and cause a great deal of damage. However, most of the pollution can be prevented and is easy to detect. In conclusion it is important that you are aware of what may be in the water that you drink, based on your city’s methods of filtering and detection. If you believe that you have been taking in polluted water it is important that you contact your doctor immediately, because water pollution can have life altering affects on your body.