Helena Joyce
Water pollution can be detected using a variety of methods, including:
- CDOM monitoring - coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is a natural component of water bodies, but it can also be an indicator of pollution. CDOM levels can be measured using electrical optical sensors.
- Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis - this method uses algae toximeters to measure the levels of chlorophyll in water, which can indicate excessive algal growth.
- Measuring dissolved oxygen levels - dissolved oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen available to aquatic flora and fauna. Low levels of DO can be harmful to the ecosystem of water bodies.
- pH and KH testing - an increasing pH level can be dangerous to the ecosystem of a water body, and certain factors can cause the pH of the water to increase. pH can be tested using water test kits.
Water pollution can also be detected using sensor networks, which can be used to monitor water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, oxidation reduction potential, UV-254, nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water pollution detection methods | CDOM monitoring, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, measuring dissolved oxygen levels, pH and KH testing, sensor placement approach, microfluidics, spectroscopic techniques, biosensors, online sensor-based monitoring, algorithmic model-based event detection |
| Water pollution detection tools | Water test kits, fluorometers, sapphire lenses, algae toximeters, electrochemical or optical sensors, water monitoring technologies, wireless sensor networks, remote sensing applications, online monitoring instrumentation |
What You'll Learn
Point-source pollution
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point-source pollution as any contaminant that enters the environment from an easily identified and confined place.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants are another common source of point-source pollution. Effluent from a treatment plant can introduce nutrients and harmful microbes into waterways. Nutrients can cause rampant growth of algae in water.
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Nonpoint-source pollution
To prevent nonpoint-source pollution, it is important to keep litter, pet waste, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains. It is also important to apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions, and to dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints, and other household chemicals properly.
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Waterborne pathogens
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Vibrio cholerae
- Legionella
- Naegleria fowleri
- Adenovirus
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A and E viruses
- Microsporidia
- Mycobacterium avium intracellulare
- Helicobacter pylori
- Tsukamurella
- Cystoisospora belli
- Enterocytozoon bienusi
- Encephalitozoon hellem
- Bacillus anthracis
- Brucella abortus
- Coxiella burnetii
- Francisella tularensi
- Rickettsia prowazekii
- Burkholderia pseudomallei
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi
- Campylobacter spp.
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus
- Pseudogulbenkiana sp.
- Shigella sonnei
- C. perfringens
- Acanthamoeba spp.
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Naegleria spp.
- Dracunculus medinensis
- Schistosomiasis
- Microcystis spp.
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Hazardous chemicals
- Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Pesticides such as DDT
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Disinfection by-products (DBPs)
- Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)
- Engineered nanoparticles/nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles (e.g., silver, gold) and quantum dots
The release of hazardous chemicals into water bodies is regulated by organizations such as the European Union and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the detection and monitoring of these chemicals in water can be challenging and often requires advanced technologies and techniques.
Some of the methods used for detecting hazardous chemicals in water include:
- Spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy
- Biosensors and whole-cell biosensors
- Gas/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Capillary electrophoresis (CE)
- Microfluidic sensors
- Wireless sensor networks and remote sensing applications
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Thermal pollution
To prevent thermal pollution, industries need to change their practices. Converting facilities from once-through cooling to closed-loop systems can significantly decrease the thermal pollution emitted.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution can be detected by checking the physical and chemical properties of the water. This can be done through CDOM monitoring, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, measuring the dissolved oxygen levels, and pH and KH testing.
Water pollution can be categorised by where the pollution is coming from (point source or nonpoint source) and what type of water body it is impacting (groundwater, surface water, or ocean water).
A:
- Reduce your plastic consumption and reuse or recycle plastic when you can.
- Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and nonbiodegradable items to keep them from going down the drain.
- Maintain your car so it doesn't leak oil, antifreeze, or coolant.
- If you have a yard, consider landscaping that reduces runoff and avoid applying pesticides and herbicides.
- Don't flush your old medications! Dispose of them in the trash to prevent them from entering local waterways.
