2. What is water pollution.?
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies like lakes, rivers, oceans,
aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly
or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment remove
harmful compounds.
3. Types of water pollution
Nutrients pollution
Surface water pollution
Oxygen depleting
Ground water pollution
Chemical water pollution
Microbiological
4. Nutrients pollution
Nutrient pollution is the process where too many
nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to
bodies of water and can act like fertilizer, causing excessive
growth of algae. Nutrients can run off of land in urban areas
where lawn fertilizers are used.
Oxygen depleting
Microorganisms that live in water feed on biodegradable substances.
When too much biodegradable material is added to water, the number
of microorganisms increase and use up the available oxygen. This is called
oxygen depletion.
When oxygen levels in the water are depleted, relatively harmless
aerobic microorganisms die and anaerobic microorganisms begin to
thrive. Some anaerobic microorganisms are harmful to people, animals
and the environment, as they produce harmful toxins such as ammonia
and sulfides.
5. Surface water pollution
Surface waters are the natural water
resources of the Earth. They are found
on the exterior of the Earth’s crust and
include:
Oceans
Rivers
Lakes
These waters can become polluted in a
number of ways, and this is called
surface water pollution.
6. Chemical water pollution
Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that
can run-off into water and pollute it.
Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are
poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make
them infertile or even result in death.
Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of
these Oil spills usually have only a localized affect on wildlife but can spread for
miles. The oil can cause the death of many fish and stick to the feathers seabirds
causing them to lose the ability to fly.
7. Microbiological
Microbiological water pollution is usually a natural form of water
pollution caused by microorganisms. Many types of microorganisms live
in water and cause fish, land animals and humans to become ill.
Microorganisms such as: Bacteria.
8. Reasons
Industrial waste: Industries produce huge amount of waste which contains toxic
chemicals and pollutants which can cause and damage to us and our environment.
They contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, sulphur, asbestos, nitrates and many
other harmful chemicals.
9. Animal waste: The waste produce by animals is washed away into the
rivers when it rains. It gets mixed up with other harmful chemicals and
causes various water borne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, jaundice,
dysentery and typhoid.
Mining activities Mining is the process of crushing the rock and extracting coal and
other minerals from underground. These elements when extracted in the raw form
contains harmful chemicals and can increase the amount of toxic elements when
mixed up with water which may problems. Mining activities emit several metal
waste and sulphides from the rocks and is harmful for the water.
10. Sewage and waste water: The sewage and waste water that is produced by each
household is chemically treated and released in to sea with fresh water.
Accidental Oil leakage: Oil spill pose a huge concern as large amount of oil
enters into the sea and does not dissolve with water; there by opens problem for
local marine wildlife such as fish, birds and sea otters.
11. Solution
Green Agricultural Practices:
Agricultural production practices qualify as massive causal agents for water pollution.
Sediments are washed off from agricultural lands into lakes, rivers, and oceans causing
silt depositions. Farmers can utilize erosion and sediment control methods to limit runoff
currents and hold back the soils on their farms.
Industrial Waste Water Treatment:
Industrial facilities generate loads of wastewater containing high concentrations
of conventional water pollutants like oil, petroleum hydrocarbons, toxic chemical
compounds, heavy metals, and other contaminants such as ammonia. Some
power plants also release heated wastewater into water bodies, interfering with the
normal water temperatures.
12. Anti-pollution Laws and Policies
Anti-pollution laws and regulations at local, state and international levels
are perfect measures for curtailing water pollution. Laws have always played
an excellent role to ensure water pollution levels are kept to the minimum.
Environmental protection policies such as the Clean Water Acts work to ensure
that anti-pollution laws are effected and apply to all significant waters including ground
water.
