What Causes Water Pollution and its Effects The shoreline became a black gooey mess that killed countless birds, and completely devastated marine life! This environmental disaster is only one example of severe water pollution. Therefore, it becomes essential to understand the causes and effects of pollution. Water pollution is a serious problem for the environment. It should be solved on a large scale at the level of states and federal governmental levels. If the public becomes more aware of environmental problems, it can be part of the solution. For example the responsibility of the Pacific Garbage Patch is on the conscience of everyone who throws garbage in the water (Marine Insight). Every pond or water source is connected with a surrounding environment. It is influenced by conditions of the formation of surface or underground water runoff, various natural phenomena, industrial and municipal construction, transportation, economic and domestic activities. The causes, effects are bringing into the watery environment chemicals that degrade water quality (Wwf.panda.org). For example, household wastewater may contain artificial cleaning supplies that enter rivers and seas. Accumulations of inorganic substances affect water inhabitants and reduce the amount of oxygen in the water. These substances lead to a formation called "dead zones". There are approximately 400 of them worldwide. These chemicals are found in acid rain as
When you think of problems in the world today, water pollution isn’t one that would normally come up. In fact it is one of the worst problems in the world today. Water pollution, by definition, is the contamination of streams, lakes, underground water, bays, or oceans by any substances harmful to living things. All living things contain water and most need water to survive, so water pollution is a big problem. If severe, the pollution can kill off birds, fish, and any animals that use the water source. In some cases even killing an entire species.
First a background on the problem with water pollution must be given. Both oceans and freshwater
Water pollution is starting all over the world. Water pollution occurs when waste products or other substances, such as microorganisms,
Today pollution is very high in both inland and marine waters. All different types of water pollution are contributing factors in this problem. Here are some things that are associated with pollution: Pathogens: Pathogens are disease causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. They usually come
For nearly my whole life, my family and I have lived beachside near the popular tourist attraction Ron Jon’s in Cocoa Beach, Florida. With that being said, since the beach lures in many tourists, these tourists dispose of their trash irresponsibly and in many scenarios the trash ends up in the ocean polluting the water. Furthermore, water pollution is significant to acknowledge because due to the pollution, there are typically negative consequences that follow interfering with the surrounding marine life or the environment in general. For instance, sometimes runoffs occur that later contaminate the water fabricating toxic fungal blooms within the body of water. When this happens, it has been believed that cancer levels rise in the area from this occurrence worsening the health of humans nearby in the surrounding community. Also, sometimes when pollutants enter bodies of water the overall temperature rises. This raise in temperature easily creates ecological dead zones where fish are forced to evacuate the area in search of cooler waters where they can survive and thrive properly. Therefore, different modes of media that aid the process in explaining water pollution and its effects include environmental documentaries, more specifically one titled “Troubled Water” by Paul Manly, educational song covers, which include “Clean It Up” to the tune of the song “Lips are Movin” by Meghan Trainor, and news articles, like the New York Times piece titled ““A Sea of Health and
Did you know that every year millions of wastes are dumped into the ocean? Ocean pollution has become an increasing issue throughout the years. Water is a necessity for everyone. The planet is made up of 70 percent water. People use water consistently in their everyday lives. There are so many ways water is used. Its needed to stay hydrated, during the summer it gets used for swimming and water sports. Its needed to wash almost everything; individuals use it to stay clean, cook, wash dishes, dogs, and cars, and so much more. So what happens when something so important becomes unavailable because it has been contaminated or has been polluted? Water now becomes dangerous, a threat to life. It’s no longer useful and valuable. Continue reading to learn when water pollution was realized as an issue. Also, how are other countries reducing the amount of pollution in the water. Have you ever wondered what effect polluted water has on the animal that call the deep blue sea its home? Finally, you will learn about the organizations that were created to protect our ocean from pollution.
When a person is asked what water is, the first things that they say are; water is drinkable, used for showers, simple, washing, etc.. But people don’t really know how complex and important water is for our kind. Water is one of the most precious things we humans have, but we don’t realize it and we damage it without caring for the consequences. Water and water pollution are two things that we should all have in mind. Even though we see water as just a liquid, but there’s more to it than its form or state.
There has been an increased presence within the water of toxic chemicals, metals, and disease causing microorganisms throughout the years. In general, the main cause of water pollution is the sewage pipes as well as the factories which are slowly becoming more in control. Although the contamination of water has slowly began to be stopped there is still heavy contamination from the waterways from the farmlands which tend to carry fertilizers, pesticides, as well as organic matter. Rain is a major contributor to water contamination from the different acids and heavy metals which fall with the rain contribute to the water
North America is not the only area that is affected by pollution. The greenhouse effect, pollution-related health issues, and several forms of pollution exist globally and harm nations worldwide. For example, ocean pollution impacts any region that has a coast. Every square mile of Earth 's oceans has been affected by human pollution, and roughly 40% of marine ecosystems, such as lagoons and coral reefs, have been damaged from human pollution. This type of ocean pollution can include over-fishing, poaching, and greenhouse gases.4 Informing the general population about the harmfulness and spread of ocean pollution is a vital step in the process of ending it.
Also organic pollutants at low concentrations can result in birth defects, genetic disorders, and cancer. These toxic pollutants listed above are all a result of people and industries improperly disposing of their waste. (Cunningham 404-406) To add on, fertilizers, which is a water pollutants, contain high concentrations of nitrates and phosphates; as a result, algal blooms can form. Also, eutrophication is a process that happens when waters are rich in organisms and organic material and become very nourished. As a result, the “process turns the water green, clouds the water, causes odor problems” (Lake Champlain Basin, 1998). Pollutants can pollute surface water by dissolving into the it, but they can also pollute groundwater. When the fertilizers or lawn/garden chemicals enter the water they can make there way into the fresh groundwater. Once the groundwater is polluted people/countries would have to pay more to get there groundwater
Another form of industrial waste that contributes to water pollution is acid rain. Acid rain is a product of industries burning coal. The burning of coal produces sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide, and when these chemicals combine with the earth’s atmosphere it forms acid rain The Northeastern part of the United States has the worst acid rain levels in the world. More specific, the states with the highest concentration are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and some boarding parts of Canada and New England area. The falling acid rain can destroy plants and animals in several different ways. The acidification of a lake, river, or stream because of the high acidic levels in the water kills algae. Since algae are the main source of food, for many species of fish, they will also suffer from the high acid levels.
Water pollution has had devastating effects on the environment, which include irreversible effects to the ocean's ecosystem, health problems and abnormal conditions.
What is even Water pollution? Water Pollution consist of toxic chemicals entering a water source that exceeds natural levels of safety. How does water pollution affect aquatic? According to Akansha and Grishma Aquatic resources are fundamental to livelihood of man and they are a vital component in the well being of all living organisms be it plants or animals. Water pollution is killing a substantial amount of aquatic life.
Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water; and, in almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities.
What makes water pollution occur? Firstly, urbanisation in which people move to the big cities can cause physical disturbance on land due construction of houses, industries, roads, etc. According to Mohan Rao,1971; CPHERI, 1972 water pollution occurs when there is a removal from the industrial sector, emissions from municipal waste, and elimination of defective products affect water quality. In addition to construction works, chemical pollution from industries and mines are also contributing to even worsened water pollution. Over population in certain cities causing inadequate sewage collection and treatment with unmanaged litter, plus increase in fertilisers to grow more food. This results in an increase in nutrients (nitrates and