Point Pollution
Mike#79Nikole#74
What is point pollution?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point source pollution as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack” http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/155279/
Onondaga Lake Superfund Sites
There are around 165,000 pounds of mercury and other contaminants to the lake. Disposed 80 million gallons of acid, tar-like wastes 400 feet from the lake. Extensive site investigation nearly complete. GM capped an on-site landfill and reduce pollution threats.
Point Pollution in a lake
Natural Point Pollution
Point Pollution (direct)
What is the difference between Non-point and Point Pollution?
Point Pollution- Is a chemical or other pollutant that flows into the environment from one specific point such as drain, smoke stack, or pipe. But Non Point Pollution is a chemical or other pollutant that flows into the environment as it is picked up runoff or other indirect sources such as fertilizers, pesticides, and waste.
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is roughly 4.5 miles long, 1 mile wide, and lies in Central New York, next to the city of Syracuse. The lake has an average depth of 36 feet, with two deep basins. The northern basin is 62 feet deep; the southern is 65 feet deep. Ninemile Creek and Onondaga Creek are the lake’s two largest tributaries. Additionally, the discharge from Metro – Onondaga County’s sewage treatment plant – provides almost 20% of the water flowing into the lake and as much as 30% in the summer. http://www.onondaganation.org/land-rights/onondaga-lake/
Mud boil photo^
This picture above was taken by me (mike) at our mudboil field trip. This is an example of non-point pollution because it comes from sediment in the environment.
Onondaga creek headwaters ^
On our field trip we also learned that Onondaga creek headwaters is the cleanest point of the creek/lake.