Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
si
gn
m
en
t
#
1
Su
bm
itt
ed
Pollutants
A pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects,
or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource.
Types
Primary Pollutants.
A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source.
Secondary Pollutants
A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary
pollutants) react in the atmosphere.
Barium (Ba)
Barium occurs naturally in small concentrations in many groundwater supplies. Barium has a
primary drinking water standard of 2.0 mg/L because it causes nervous and circulatory system
problems, especially high blood pressure. Standard water softeners are effective in removing
barium.
Chloride (Cl-)
Chloride occurs naturally in most groundwater but may become elevated due to leaching from
salt storage areas around highways or from brines produced during gas well drilling. Other
possible sources of chloride are sewage effluent, animal manure, and industrial waste. Chloride
has a secondary drinking water standard of 250 mg/L because it may cause a salty taste in the
water. Groundwater in Pennsylvania usually contains less than 25 mg/L of chloride.
Copper (Cu)
Copper usually originates from corrosion of copper plumbing in the home. Copper has a
secondary drinking water standard of 1.0 mg/L because it causes a bitter, metallic taste in water
and a blue-green stain in sinks and bathtubs. Copper levels above 1.3 mg/L are a health concern
because they may cause severe stomach cramps and intestinal illnesses.
Iron (Fe)
Iron is a common natural problem in groundwater that may be worsened by mining activities.
Iron does not occur in drinking water in concentrations of health concern to humans. The
secondary drinking water standard for iron is 0.3 mg/L because it causes a metallic taste and
orange-brown stains that make water unsuitable for drinking and clothes washing.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal that can be worsened by mining activities. Manganese
at concentrations normally found in drinking water does not constitute a health hazard; however,
even small amounts of manganese may impart objectionable tastes or blackish stains to water.
For this reason, manganese has a recommended drinking water standard of 0.02 mg/L.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
It is a naturally occurring gas that is common in groundwater. Very small concentrations of
hydrogen sulfide in water are offensive to most individuals. Although hydrogen sulfide is a
highly toxic gas, only under the most unusual conditions would it reach levels toxic to humans as
a result of its occurrence in drinking water. More often, it is simply an aesthetic odor problem
that can be removed using several treatment processes