Where does all the water go? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a typical wetland environment, 38% of the water is outflow, 47% is seepage, 7% evaporates, and 8% remains as water volume in the ecosystem (Reference: Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA 832-R-93-005). Chloride compounds as residuals from residential areas are a problem for wetlands. Suppose that in a particular wetland environment the following concentrations (mg/L) of chloride compounds were found: outflow, 64.1; seepage, 75.8; remaining due to evaporation, 23.9; in the water volume, 68.2.
(a) Compute the weighted average chlorine-compound concentration (mg/L) for this ecosystem.
(b) Suppose the EPA has established an average chlorine-compound concentration target of no more than 58 mg/L. Comment on whether this wetlands system meets the target standard for chlorine-compound concentration.