Open Google Earth, and in the search box enter Geismar. Click Search. Then zoom
ID: 236843 • Letter: O
Question
Open Google Earth, and in the search box enter Geismar. Click Search. Then zoom way in and follow the Old Jefferson Highway to the southwest. Examine the area for a mile or two in each direction, all the way to the water—that is the Mississippi River that flows into the Gulf of Mexico! Zoom in and explore the factory complex areas in Geismar and the surrounding areas. Look for the following features in the area: manufacturing plant with chemical storage areas; tractor trailer trucks making pickups/deliveries; oil storage tanks; gas storage tanks; parking area; Mississippi River; barges in the river; docks on the river for loading natural gas and oil; railroad lines; railroad oil tank cars; residential areas; school athletic fields; agricultural areas; oil and gas pipes from the river docks crossing above the roadway to the manufacturing plant. What are some possible sources of impact to the health of the water system and people in association with industrial activity in the area?
Explanation / Answer
The possible source of water pollution in the area may be
Industrial efflulents: The water is contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, flourides, petrochemical chemicals, chlorinated solvents etc . Since the chemicals coming from industries is directly discharged into the river without the proper treatment which pollutes the quality of water and also affects the ecodiversity.
Pesticides: run off from agricultural fields, school athletic fields contain pesticides like DDT which can contaminate the water body.
Acidification: The long distance of transport of air pollutants like sulphur dioxide from the power plants like steel industries and other heavy industries. SO2 can also be released into the atmosphere by the motor vehicles.
Sewage: Untreated domestic waste water and the other household waste from the residential areas can also cause contaminate the nearby surface and ground water bodies. Leechate from the tractor trailer trucks and also from the parking area can also contribute in the water pollution.
Synthetic organics: synthetic organics like POP can cause serious damage to the aquatic ecosytem as well the human health. POP can be produced in the chemical industries as well as from the agricultural pesticides. These chemicals can not be easily biodegraded and remain in the environment for a long period of times. These chemicals can accumulate in the fishes and get biomagnified in humans on consumption of these fishes. Moreover. they can cause serious contamination of the ground water and thus makes drinking water unsafe for human use.
Leakage of tanks and pipes: Leakage of tanks and pipes containing oil and gas can be released into water body which can affect the quality of water as well as kills birds and fishes living in the water.
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