e19.    What materials can cause water pollution?

Disease causing agents, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms, can be found as water pollutants. Oxygen demanding wastes are organic materials decomposed by aerobic bacteria, which consume oxygen. Water-soluble inorganic chemicals, such as acids, salts, and toxic metals (mercury and lead) are also pollutants. Radioactive isotopes that are water-soluble can be passed through the food chain. Inorganic plant nutrients, water-soluble nitrates, and water-soluble phosphates cause algae blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants. Sediments or suspended matter, insoluble produces of erosion also cause pollution, as does heat absorbed by water used to cool electric power plants.

g08.    What are the spheres that make up the earth?

g21.   Can we mine the oceans?

g23.    What are some characteristics of soil?

g24.    How does soil move?

g25.    What are the properties of water?

g26.    Where is drinkable water found?

m26.    How is hydroelectric power used?

m43.    Are pesticides regulated?

m46.    How do pesticides impact the environment?

m48.    What is in pesticides and what do they do?

m49.    Is there legislation regarding water pollution?

m50.    What other types of pollutants are there?

m51.    Where do pollutants come from?

m57.    What are sources of solid waste?

m62.    Are there other methods of dealing with solid waste?

m74.    How is soil important in the environment?

m80.    How can we protect our water supplies?

m81.    How can we increase our water supplies?

m82.    How can we conserve our water supplies?