Environmental Engineering Essay
Point and Nonpoint Pollution Sources Point Sources
Point-source pollutants in surface water and groundwater are usually found in a plume that has the highest concentrations of the pollutant nearest the source (such as the end of a pipe or an underground injection system) and diminishing concentrations farther away from the source. The various types of point-source pollutants found in waters are as varied as the types of business, industry, agricultural, and urban sources that produce them.
Commercial and industrial businesses use hazardous materials in manufacturing or maintenance, and then discharge various wastes from their operations. The raw materials and wastes may include pollutants such as solvents, petroleum products (such as oil and gasoline), or heavy metals . Point sources of pollution from agriculture may include animal feeding operations, animal waste treatment lagoons, or storage, handling, mixing, and cleaning areas for pesticides, fertilizers, and petroleum. Municipal point sources might include wastewater treatment plants, landfills, utility stations, motor pools, and fleet maintenance facilities.
For all of these activities, hazardous materials may be included in the raw materials used in the process as well as in the waste stream for the facility. If the facility or operator does not handle, store, and dispose of the raw materials and wastes properly, these pollutants could end up in the water supply. This may occur through discharges at the end of a pipe to surface water, discharges on the ground that move through the ground with infiltrating rainwater, or direct discharges beneath the ground surface.
Groundwater.
Some of the most persistent point-source pollutants in groundwater are volatile organic compounds , which include manufactured and refined toxic substances such as solvents, oils, paint, and fuel products. In general, it takes only a small amount of these chemicals to raise health concerns. For example, approximately 4 liters
Point-source pollutants in surface water and groundwater are usually found in a plume that has the highest concentrations of the pollutant nearest the source (such as the end of a pipe or an underground injection system) and diminishing concentrations farther away from the source. The various types of point-source pollutants found in waters are as varied as the types of business, industry, agricultural, and urban sources that produce them.
Commercial and industrial businesses use hazardous materials in manufacturing or maintenance, and then discharge various wastes from their operations. The raw materials and wastes may include pollutants such as solvents, petroleum products (such as oil and gasoline), or heavy metals . Point sources of pollution from agriculture may include animal feeding operations, animal waste treatment lagoons, or storage, handling, mixing, and cleaning areas for pesticides, fertilizers, and petroleum. Municipal point sources might include wastewater treatment plants, landfills, utility stations, motor pools, and fleet maintenance facilities.
For all of these activities, hazardous materials may be included in the raw materials used in the process as well as in the waste stream for the facility. If the facility or operator does not handle, store, and dispose of the raw materials and wastes properly, these pollutants could end up in the water supply. This may occur through discharges at the end of a pipe to surface water, discharges on the ground that move through the ground with infiltrating rainwater, or direct discharges beneath the ground surface.
Groundwater.
Some of the most persistent point-source pollutants in groundwater are volatile organic compounds , which include manufactured and refined toxic substances such as solvents, oils, paint, and fuel products. In general, it takes only a small amount of these chemicals to raise health concerns. For example, approximately 4 liters