Chapter22WaterPollutionHarkness

Chapter 22 Harkness- __Water Pollution__

Nathan- water pollution is any change in water adversely affecting health of organisms Kristen- what is point source vs. nonpoint source pollution? Miller- I like to think of this like acute vs. chronic in toxicity? Point pollution is like acute- specific time, location, action, whereas nonpoint pollution is over time from multiple sources in many areas little things build up, with a cumulative effect. Wilson P- like fertilizer of midwestern farms into the gulf, that's like "chronic" nonpoint down the Mississippi River Nathan- point pollution is like the hog farm in the free response. Miller- point is localized, nonpoint is over greater area, even global (anywhere you go, there is probably pollution) Examples of Point Vs. Nonpoint: Miller- can you see point and non point similiarly? i.e. ensworth is the culprit for pollution of stream, pond, so you can "point" at us, but we are nonpoint because the pollution comes from everywhere. Kristen- Clarify the chloride dilemma with purifying water- chlorine lessens risk of bacteria / viruses, but increases risk of cancers? Ford- dealing with acute costs vs. chronic costs Hannah- it's like the cost/benefit analysis- there are costs and there are benefits of chlorine, just need to determine which are greater. Remember also security hazard of chlorine Jan- other options are UV, Miller- and ozone Miller- UV may not be dangerous, though it requires revamp of facility and increased electrical output Wilson P- Distinguish between point source vs. dispersed vs. nonpoint POINT sources can be DISPERSED sources- for example, many cars driving around are each a point source, but together they DISPERSE the pollution, making the pollution come from DISPERSED POINT sources.
 * Smokestack- point
 * Cruise ship moving is still point
 * runoff from agriculture (large area) affecting a large area is non point