Points to Consider
- One of the effects of outdoor air pollution is to cause global warming. Global warming,
in turn, has an effect on both land and sea. Think about how the effects of global
warming on the amount and pattern of precipitation will have an effect on water
pollution. - Environmental effects of global dimming include less energy to drive evaporation and
the hydrologic cycle, and cooler ocean temperatures, which may lead to changes in
rainfall and drought. Will such changes affect water pollution? - Some outdoor air pollutants have a direct effect on aquatic habitats. For example, acid
rain can adversely affect freshwater habitats.
25.2 Lesson 25.2: Water Pollution and Waste
Lesson Objectives
- Describe water pollution sources.
- Explain how water pollution affects living organisms.
- Discuss how to prevent water pollution.
- Discuss ways you can save water.
Check your Understanding
Water pollutionobviously has to do with water.
- What are water resources?
- What is the demand for water?
- What are the sources of fresh water?
Answers
- Surface water is water found in rivers, lakes, or freshwater wetlands. It is naturally
replenished by precipitation and naturally lost through discharge to evaporation, dis-
charge to the oceans, and sub-surface (groundwater) seepage. - Groundwateristhewaterflowingwithinaquifers(ageologicalformationthatcontains
or conducts groundwater, especially for supplying water for wells, etc.). The natural
input to groundwater is seepage from surface water and the natural outputs are to
springs and seepage to bodies of water. - Desalination is an artificial process by which saline water (usually sea water) is con-
verted to fresh water. Only a very small amount of total water use is supplied by
desalination.