Types of Pollutants

Sediments (Orange)

Particles of soil, sand, silt, clay, and minerals washed from land and paved areas into creeks and tributaries. In large unnatural quantities these natural materials can be considered a pollutant.

Petroleum products (Peach)

Oil and other petroleum products like gasoline and kerosene can find their way into water from ships, oil drilling rigs, oil refineries, automobile service stations, and streets.

Animal Waste (Salmon)

Human waste that are not properly treated at a waste treatment plan and then released to water may contain harmful bacteria and viruses.

Organic Waste (Red)

Domestic sewage treatment plants, food processing plants, paper mill plants, and leather tanning factories release organic waste that bacteria consume. If too much waste is released, the bacterial populations increase and use up the oxygen in the water.

Inorganic Compounds (Lemon)

Detergents, pesticides, and many synthetic industrial chemicals are released to water ways. Many of these substances are toxic to fish and harmful to humans.

Inorganic Chemicals (Goldenrod)

Inorganic chemicals and mineral substances, solid matter, and metal salts commonly dissolved into water. They often come from mining and manufacturing industries, oil field operations, and agriculture and natural sources.

Fertilizers (Green)

The major source of pollution from agriculture comes from processed fertilizers in the runoff. Fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus that can cause large amounts of algae to grow.

Heated or Cooled Water (Aqua)

Heating water reduces the ability of water to dissolve oxygen. Water temperatures that are much colder than normal can cause damage to water habitats.

Acid Precipitation (Lilac)

Aquatic animals and plants are adjusted to a rather narrow range of Ph levels. When water becomes too acidic, animals and plants begin to die.

Pesticides, Herbicides, & Fungicides (Manila)

Agriculture chemicals designed to kill or limit the growth of life-forms are a common form of solution. Irrigation, ground water flow, and natural run off bring these toxic substances to rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans.