Reference no: EM133661133
Assignment:
Answer the following questions regarding details from the Spokane River Public Guide informational pamphlet. You may also need to visit additional websites to further your knowledge to better answer the questions:
1. Spokane River is contaminated with heavy metals (like Pb, Mg, Zn, Cd).
o What action is responsible as the major source of this contamination?
o Where (geographically) does it primarily originate from?
o Discuss two possible human health effects that may result from contact with these heavy metals.
2. Define the term 'wastewater' (you might need to look up an additional resource outside of the river guide for a more thorough definition). In Spokane city, where does the wastewater go after treatment? More specifics on the importance of managing wastewater can be found at, and specific to Spokane at
3. Define the term 'stormwater' (you might need to look up an additional resource outside of the river guide for a more thorough definition). I recommend , and specific to Spokane at. Here is one specific to stormwater pollution in Spokane at
4. At what times might un-treated stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge from the combined sewer overflows (CSO's) directly into the Spokane River? Are these pipes marked with signs identifying their location along the river? You may also find additional information on Spokane CSO's at.
5. Spokane River is contaminated with several known and monitored chemical toxins (aka persistent organic pollutants or "POPs" for short). This contamination is discussed several times throughout the river guide pamphlet.
o Name two chemical toxins that are found in the Spokane River (not metals).
o What is the common source in our watershed for each of the chemical toxins that you have listed? Yes, the toxins are entering through the drains but, where do they originate...what is the source (product, machinery, material) of contamination?
o Discuss two possible human health effects that may result from contact with these toxic chemicals.
6. Define the term biomagnification. Why is there a fish-consumption advisory for fish caught from the Spokane River and associated tributaries?