Pollution in the Potomac River Term Paper by Nicky

A review of the problem of pollution in the Potomac River.
# 150229 | 873 words | 6 sources | MLA | 2012 | US
Published on Jan 30, 2012 in Environmental Studies (Environmental Problems) , Biology (Ecology)


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Description:

The paper describes the growing problem of pollution in the Potomac River and the resulting risks to the local flora and fauna as well as the potentially harmful levels of eutrophication. The paper identifies three goals that will improve the situation and presents strategies to address these problems.

Outline:
Situation Statement
Background on the Issue
Targets
Pathways

From the Paper:

"There is a great risk to the local flora and fauna posed by the increase in pollution. One of the main causes for concern is the levels of certain chemicals in the river. For example studies have shown there to be significant levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the river water which have led to mutations in the sexual reproduction systems of fish species (Davis, Foran and Mazik 100; Henderson et al. 99). These pollutants have also been shown to significantly impair the quality of sperm in some species (Henderson et al. 99). Both of these factors may indicate a significant cause for concern as they are possible indicators of future problems with reproduction and therefore possible problems with population maintenance. For example if species experience problems with reproduction then it is likely that a decline in numbers may be seen in the future.
"There have also been several factors identified which may indicate significant eutrophication in the Potomac River. For example studies indicating much higher than expected levels of certain bacterioplankton and microbially labile organic carbon (MLOC) (Hamdan and Jonas 40) indicate that potentially harmful levels of eutrophication may be occurring in some areas. Although the accumulation of chemicals in the river has recently been identified as a problem there currently is a lack of monitoring to enable identification of their exact source."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Davis, SR, CM Foran and PM Mazik. "Reproductive consequences of exposure to sediment extracts from the Potomac River on Japanese Medaka." Proceedings of the Sixty-First Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (2007): 100.
  • Fahrenthold, David A. "Study: Development worsening pollution of Potomac." The Washington Post. 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 14 Aug. 2009. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/11/AR2008111101148.html>.
  • Gaines, Fred R, Mark Stone, Jason Allen, Jennifer Qin and Vincent J Ammirato. "The application of membrane technology to achieve the Chesapeake Bay Standards for Small Community Wastewater Systems." Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation 111 (2007): 9114-9124.
  • Hamdan, Leila J and Robert B Jonas. "Seasonal and interannual dynamics of free-living bacterioplankton and microbially labile organic carbon along the salinity gradient of the Potomac River." Estuaries and Coasts 29.1 (2007): 40-53.
  • Henderson, H., V Blazer, J Jenkins and P Mazik. "The effects of contaminants on sperm quality and intersex condition of smallmouth bass in the Potomac River." Proceedings of the Sixty-First Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (2007): 99.

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

Pollution in the Potomac River (2012, January 30) Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/pollution-in-the-potomac-river-150229/

MLA Format

"Pollution in the Potomac River" 30 January 2012. Web. 23 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/pollution-in-the-potomac-river-150229/>

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