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Resources by Erin Ling

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The Effects of Mineral Dissolution on Water Quality
Acid-base reactions and the concept of pH are critical concepts in chemistry, environmental sciences and Earth science. First, students will present hypotheses of whether the pH will increase or decrease when calcite or pyrite are dissolved in water. Second, in a facilitated activity, students (in groups) will dissolve pyrite and calcite in water and measure the pH after the minerals dissolve. Third, they will hypothesize what happens to the pH when they mix the pyrite and calcite together (in water). Fourth, they will then test their hypotheses by mixing them and measuring pH. Fifth they will discuss if their results support their hypotheses. Last, they will expand what they learned in the experiments to how minerals can be used in water treatment.
Nov 8, 2023 4H-1024NP
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Iron and Manganese in Household Water Feb 25, 2020 442-656 (BSE-285P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Sulfate and Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Water Apr 26, 2019 442-658 (BSE-252P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Nitrate in Household Water Apr 29, 2019 449-659 (BSE-253P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Fluoride in Household Water May 13, 2019 442-660 (BSE-254P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Sodium and Chloride in Household Drinking Water May 13, 2019 442-661 (BSE-255P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Bacteria and Other Microorganisms in Household Water May 10, 2019 442-662 (BSE-256P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Shock Chlorination: Disinfecting Private Household Water Supply Systems May 3, 2019 442-663 (BSE-257P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Corrosive Household Water May 3, 2019 442-665 (BSE-259P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Household Water Apr 26, 2019 442-666 (BSE-260P)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Household Water Treatment Apr 3, 2019 442-670 (BSE-250P)
Greywater Reuse
Greywater is any household wastewater other than that used for toilet flushing. This water could be reused around the home (for purposes other than drinking water). An example of greywater use is landscape irrigation. Wastewater that comes in contact with human waste is referred to as blackwater. However, the definition of greywater varies according to state regulations.
Jul 23, 2019 BSE-114NP (BSE-267NP)
Using Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water, sometimes referred to as “water reuse” or “recycled water,” is water recovered from domestic, municipal, or industrial wastewater treatment plants that has been treated to standards that allow it to be safely used for designated purposes. Reclaimed water should not be confused with “wastewater,” untreated liquid industrial waste or domestic sewage. However, “gray water,” untreated water from bathing or washing, is considered one form of wastewater (Water Reuse, VCE Publication 452-014). The level of treatment and disinfection reclaimed water receives is dictated by its intended (and permitted) use. Many states encourage and promote the use of reclaimed water to conserve freshwater supplies and preserve rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers.
Jul 23, 2019 BSE-115NP (BSE-266NP)
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting, storing, and later reusing rainwater from surfaces such as roofs. Rainwater harvesting has long been used for agricultural irrigation and as a source of drinking water, and allowed ancient civilizations to flourish in semi-arid and arid regions. Rainwater harvesting systems are in use today in many water-limited locations, especially in several western US regions. As population growth increases pressure on water resources in the more humid eastern US, rainwater harvesting is being considered to reduce the demand for potable water.
Jul 23, 2019 BSE-116NP (BSE-265NP)
Virginia Household Water Quality Program: Emergency Supplies of Water for Drinking and Food Preparation Jul 11, 2022 BSE-209NP (BSE-345NP)
Indicators Of Lead In Well Water Dec 13, 2016 BSE-210NP
Household Water Quality - Albemarle County Sep 19, 2019 BSE-284-2
Household Water Quality - Virginia Beach Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-101
Household Water Quality - Warren County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-102
Household Water Quality - Westmoreland County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-104
Household Water Quality - Wythe County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-106
Household Water Quality - Bedford County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-11
Household Water Quality - Botetourt County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-13
Household Water Quality - Buckingham County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-16
Household Water Quality - Campbell County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-17
Household Water Quality - Carroll County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-19
Household Water Quality - Charlotte County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-21
Household Water Quality - Clarke County Nov 18, 2019 BSE-284-24
Household Water Quality - Craig County Nov 18, 2019 BSE-284-25
Household Water Quality - Culpeper County Nov 18, 2019 BSE-284-26
Household Water Quality - Dinwiddie County Nov 18, 2019 BSE-284-30
Household Water Quality - Essex County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-31
Household Water Quality - Fauquier County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-33
Household Water Quality - Floyd County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-34
Household Water Quality - Fluvanna County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-35
Household Water Quality - Franklin County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-36
Household Water Quality - Frederick County Nov 21, 2019 BSE-284-37
Household Water Quality - Giles County Dec 3, 2019 BSE-284-38
Household Water Quality - Goochland County Dec 3, 2019 BSE-284-40
Household Water Quality - Grayson County Dec 4, 2019 BSE-284-41
Household Water Quality - Greene County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-42
Household Water Quality - Halifax County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-44
Household Water Quality - Hanover County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-46
Household Water Quality - Amelia County Nov 4, 2019 BSE-284-5
Household Water Quality - Isle of Wight Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-50
Household Water Quality - King George County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-53
Household Water Quality - Lancaster County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-55
Household Water Quality - Loudoun County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-57
Household Water Quality - Louisa County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-58
Household Water Quality - Lunenburg County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-59
Household Water Quality - Amherst County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-6
Household Water Quality - Madison County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-61
Household Water Quality - Mecklenburg County Dec 5, 2019 BSE-284-63
Household Water Quality - Montgomery County Dec 10, 2019 BSE-284-65
Household Water Quality - Nelson County Dec 10, 2019 BSE-284-66
Household Water Quality - Appomattox County Nov 12, 2019 BSE-284-7
Household Water Quality - Eastern Shore Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-70
Household Water Quality - Northumberland County Dec 10, 2019 BSE-284-71
Household Water Quality - Nottoway County Dec 10, 2019 BSE-284-72
Household Water Quality - Orange County Dec 10, 2019 BSE-284-73
Household Water Quality - Page County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-74
Household Water Quality - Pittsylvania County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-77
Household Water Quality - Powhatan County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-79
Household Water Quality - Prince George County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-81
Household Water Quality - Prince William County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-82
Household Water Quality - Pulaski County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-83
Household Water Quality - Rappahannock County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-84
Household Water Quality - Roanoke County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-87
Household Water Quality - Russell County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-90
Household Water Quality - Shenandoah County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-92
Household Water Quality - Spotsylvania County Dec 11, 2019 BSE-284-95
What to Know When Buying a Home with Well and Septic Apr 23, 2021 BSE-340NP
Spray Water Quality and Pesticide Characteristics
Pesticide sprays consist of at least 95% water. Water quality plays an important role in pesticide performance. The following issues may indicate a compatibility problem with pesticides and spray water quality: - Pesticide does not work at labeled rates; - Difficulty mixing sprays or clogging of nozzles; - Inconsistent pest control observed in fields or plots; - Pests seem resistant to a new pesticide active ingredient, or - Crops are lower quality or lower yielding. Understanding how water quality characteristics such as pH, water hardness, turbidity, and total suspended solids affect the adsorption and persistence (half-life, storage time) of a pesticide can help pesticide applicators reduce or eliminate compatibility issues and improve pesticide effectiveness
Feb 22, 2024 BSE-350P
Understanding Spray Tank Mixing Practices
Mixing two or more pesticide products can allow for the treatment of several pests at the same time, improve pesticide performance, and ultimately saving time and money. However, physical and chemical tank mix incompatibilities can occur when combining two or more pesticides. Physical incompatibility is the failure of pesticide products to stay uniformly mixed and can result in layering, products settling out of solution, or clumping. A chemical incompatibility is the result of a chemical reaction between pesticide products. A chemical incompatibility is less visible and can be harder to detect. This publication focuses on basic factors that influence product compatibility (agitation speed and method, water temperature, mixing order, carrier type, and chemical formulations) and summarizes best mixing practices to address these factors.
Feb 22, 2024 BSE-351P
Solving Spray Water Problems
Spray water problems may arise due to water quality and management decisions. Certain aspects of water quality can reduce the efficacy of the pesticide as well as affect how the pesticide interacts with the plant surface or targets pests. Evaluating and testing spray water chemistry can help identify water quality problems that might otherwise be overlooked. This publication will examine possible solutions to spray water problems, including the use of adjuvants and other additives to enhance pesticide performance.
Feb 15, 2024 BSE-352P
Fluoride in Drinking Water
This is a collaborative effort based on VAHWQP data and working with two undergraduate researchers in BSE. It was reviewed by a public health consultant who is an expert in water fluoridation. This publication is produced in partnership with Virginia Department of Health and was designed by a contracted graphic designer and MPH student, Christy Meek. Digital only, front and back, color.
BSE-357NP