Write a Discussion on Water Pollution.

Write a Discussion on Water Pollution.
Background
From the very beginning of this course, water chemistry has been an important thread. We started with a discussion of the properties of liquids. Solution chemistry followed, and our discussion of equilibrium included acids and bases and finally solubility equilibria in week 9. Water is called the “universal solvent” because so many chemicals dissolve in it. This is a source of many kinds of pollution on this water-filled planet. Sometimes, pollution can result because a chemical does not dissolve. This causes pollution of a different nature.

Most of you have either experienced or read about some kind of water pollution in your part of the world. It could be a local stream or an underground well. Some possible kinds of pollution might include:

Contamination of a local body of water from a specific point source like a factory
Changes to a body of water from acid rain
Changes to ground water from a process like mining
Rapid eutrophication of a body of water from overpopulation (sewage, farming)
Rapid destruction from a catastrophic event like an oil or chemical spill
These are only suggestions. If you are not familiar with any local issue, choose one to research that interests you.

Requirements
Choose a pollution problem to investigate. Choose one that is local if possible. This is not a research paper, so do not make your topic too broad.

Discuss the problem, being sure to include:
Some background. Describe the geography of the area.
Some history. When did this occur? Is it ongoing?
Some background. Be sure to define any terms that are particular to your problem (like eutrophication)
Some chemistry. What chemicals are involved? Include molecular formulas, reactions, and equations if applicable.
Some effects. What problem(s) did this cause?
Some solutions. What has happened to address this problem?
Anything else particular to your problem.
Respond to at least two other students. Remember to respond in such a way that encourages further discussion. Check back for comments made on your post to keep the discussion going.
Note: This assignment is intended to allow you to apply some of the chemical concepts concerning water that you have learned to a local problem. This can be a complicated topic, but this is not a research paper, so be sure to summarize. Be sure to use AMA style to cite any sources you use.

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