Download Chemical Contaminants (Nitrate, phosphates, total dissolved solids

Chemical Contaminants
Nitrate, phosphates, total dissolved solids
By:
Hannah
Nick
Kara
What are chemical contaminants?
 Chemical contaminants are chemicals or compounds
that can potentially harm the heath of humans,
wildlife and aquatic life.
 These can include nitrates, phosphates, and total
dissolved solids.
Nitrates
 Nitrate is a colorless, odorless, tasteless compound
that is found in water systems. It is usually expressed
as NO3.
 Maximum Nitrate levels are 10mg/l. Anything higher
may cause methemoglobinemia, a disease commonly
found in infants, and blue-baby syndrome.
 It can enter the water system through nitrogen
fertilizers, human/animal wastes, and natural sources.
Methemoglobinemia is a
blood disorder that gives
the skin a bluish-grey tint.
It is caused by recessive
genes, ingestion of silver
or high levels of nitrates in
water systems.
Phosphates
 Phosphates are found naturally in water systems and are necessary for
plant and animal growth.
 High levels of phosphates may cause algae to bloom rapidly, which may
result in chocked waterways and the loss of dissolved O2, which may
cause the death of aquatic plants and animals.
 Phosphates are not toxic to humans unless they are present in high
levels.
 Phosphorus enters the waterways through phosphorus rich bedrock,
laundry/cleaning water, detergents, industrial effluents, and fertilizer
runoff.
Total Dissolved Solid (TDS)
 Comprises any inorganic salts (mainly calcium, magnesium, potassium,
sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfate) and a small amount of
organic matter dissolved in the water.
 TDS in drinking water originate from natural sources, sewage, urban
runoff, industrial wastewater, and chemicals used in the water
treatment process and the plumbing.
 Regulated mainly for aesthetic reasons rather than health reasons.
 The concentration of dissolved ions may cause water to become
corrosive, have a salty or brackish taste, result in scale formation, and
decrease efficiency of water heaters.
Bottled
mineral
water tends
to contain
higher TDS
levels then
tap water.