5.2 Detection & Monitoring of Pollution

Sub-subtopics

5.2.1 Describe two direct methods of monitoring pollution.5.2.2 Define the term biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and explain

how this indirect method is used to assess pollution levels in water.5.2.3 Describe and explain an indirect method of measuring pollution

levels using a biotic index.

5.2.1 Methods of MonitoringWhere to start?

AIR

WATER

LAND

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What to do?

DIRECT

INDIRECT

CHANGES

GradientsTime periods

Transects

Particulate Matter (PM)● Removed by rain

Sheets of glue-coated or Vaseline coated paper with grids for standard amount of time.

● microscope/magnifying lens● % coverage● # of specimens

NumberSizeLocation

Sources of error?

5.2.1 Monitoring AIR Quality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9_EWYAl4NA

Secondary Data Sources:● Czech Republic - ČHMI● EU - AirMonTech● U.S. - EPA● China - AQICN ● India - CPCB● Brazil - MMA● Australia - AGDE● South Africa - SAAQIS● Egypt - EEAA-EIMP● Bangladesh - CASE

What they measure:● sulfur dioxide● oxides of nitrogen● ozone● VOC’s● particulate matter (sizes)

5.2.1 Monitoring AIR Quality

Soil (edaphic) factors● physical properties● chemical properties● biological properties● processes● characteristics

No one measure is an indicator:● texture● density● infiltration● water retention● organic matter● mineral content (N, P, K)● microbial biomass● soil respiration

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5.2.1 Monitoring SOIL Quality

Secondary Data Sources:● World - HWSD and ISRIC● Czech Republic - ČPS● EU - JRC’s LUCAS● U.S. - NRCS● China - MLR ● India - IISS (for soil types)● Russia - VINITI● Australia - GRDC and

soilquality.org● South Africa - ARC-ISCW● Bangladesh

What they measure:● same as last slide● degradation/aggradation

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Direct Sampling Methods(chemical indicators)● salinity (probe)● pH (probe; universal indicator paper)● temperature (probe)● Dissolved Oxygen (DO probe)● wave action● flow velocity (orange)● turbidity (secchi disk)

○ Total Suspended Solids (TSS)○ Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

● Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)● Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)● nitrates (NO3

- probe; test kit)● ammonia (NH3 probe; test kit)● phosphate (probe; test kit)● conductivity (probe)

5.2.1 Monitoring WATER Quality

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5.2.1 Monitoring WATER Quality

Secondary Data Sources:● Czech Republic - ČHMI● EU - WISE● U.S. - NWQMC● China - IPE ● India - CPCB’s NWMP● Russia - VINITI● Brazil - ANA● Australia - NWQMS● South Africa - WMS● Egypt - EMWIS-EG● Bangladesh- BWDB

What they measure:● same as last slide● hardness● potability

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5.2.2 B.O.D.Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)● First done in England 1912● measures organic pollution in H2O (aerobic bacteria & fungus)● units: mg (O2 consumed)/L● usually 5 days incubation at 20 ºC

○ 68% of BOD exerted after this time● tests vary 10-20%● Indirect method

Chemical Oxygen Demand

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5.2.2 B.O.D.

Steps for measuring Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5)

1. Sample H2O of measured volume

2. Measure the O2 level (probe)3. Place sample in a dark, 20 ºC

place for 5 daysa. Why in the dark?

4. After 5 days, remeasure O2

5. BOD5 = (Step 2 - Step 4) / L

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The greater the organic matter (nutrient load), the greater the BOD5 number

● sewage● fertilizer● runoff● detergents● others?

Municipal sewage (3-stage process): BOD ~20 mg/L

Untreated sewage● Europe: BOD ~600 mg/L● U.S.: BOD ~200 mg/L

(greater per capita water use)

What is ppm?

5.2.2 B.O.D.

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Eastern European Sewers

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5.2.2 Nutrients in European Freshwater

The greater the organic matter (nutrient load), the greater the BOD5 number

● sewage● fertilizer● runoff● detergents● others?

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5.2.3 Biotic IndicatorsAnother indirect method: Indicator Species● tolerant of organic pollution and/or low O2 levels● intolerant of organic pollution and/or low O2 levels

● More dangerous in summer○ solubility of O2 as temperature○ warm organic pollutants do the same

● Tubifex vs. mayfly nymph?● Others: fish, underwater plant life, algae (diatoms), bacteria (fecal

coli)

Retrieved on 04-11-2013 from: http://www.ib.bioninja.com.au/_Media/indicator_species.jpeg

5.2.3 Trent Biotic Index

Based on disappearances

Measures diversity● Generally, pollution , diversity

○ abundance may be high, but low richness

● Maximum value = 10

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5.2.3 Trent Biotic Index

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