WATER POLLUTION
WHAT IS POLLUTION?
Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances/materials on the
environment. And these materials are known as pollutants.
WHAT IS WATER POLLUTION?
Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which
make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other
activities. Which can be caused by human activities.
TYPES OF WATER POLLUTION
There are many different types of water pollution. These are:
Chemical Water Pollution - The most common type of water pollution, chemicals contaminate
groundwater and above-ground water sources. Causes of chemical water pollution include pesticides and
fungicides in agriculture, metals and solvents in industrial plants, etc.
Groundwater pollution – Fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture seep into the soil and contaminate
underwater rivers and other groundwater sources that draw water for human consumption.
Microbial Water Pollution – A naturally occurring form of water pollution that allows bacteria, protozoa
and viruses to infiltrate water sources. Where water treatment systems are not used, people are at risk of
contracting life-threatening diseases such as cholera and schistosomiasis.
Nutrient water pollution – An excess of nutrients in water can lead to overgrowth of some organisms and
the extinction of other groups of organisms.
TYPES OF WATER POLLUTION CONT.
Oxygen Pollution - A direct result of nutrient pollution of water, the overgrowth of certain
organisms, such as algae, leads to increased oxygen consumption. As a result, species that need
oxygen to survive are killed, and microbes that don't need oxygen and produce harmful toxins
thrive.
Surface Water Pollution - Pollution of surface water sources is natural, accidental and intentional.
Causes: Accidental oil spills, industrial businesses negligently dumping waste into bodies of
water.
IMPACT OF WATER POLLUTION
Aquatic life is often severely affected by water pollution. In fact, animals and plant life in contaminated
water sources “may die or not reproduce properly.” Water pollution can bring about disastrous
consequences – for instance, a factory that pumped out a very toxic waste product into the sea directly
contributed to causing neurological illness to an entire town for many decades (The Minimata Incident).
The following are the effects of water pollution:
Water pollution drastically affects human health; in fact, it can kill. In 2015 alone, a study revealed that
waterborne illnesses caused 1.8 million deaths worldwide.
It can cause contamination of drinking water – thereby contributing to waterborne illnesses.
Water pollution also affects the ecosystem – it can cause a phenomenon called eutrophication. This can
cause fish and other aquatic organisms to die.
Toxic elements dissolved in water can make their way to humans through fish or other aquatic
organisms.
Water pollution also leaches chemicals into the soil that may impact the growth of plants or other food
crops
IMPACT OF WATER POLLUTION CONT.
The two major impacts on water are Industries and Farming activities.
Water pollution has caused 80% of the disease today. Diseases that are prevalent include diarrhea,
cholera, polio, hepatitis A, and some types of cancer which can be fatal. Water pollution causes
about 829,000 deaths annually, including 300,000 children, according to UNESCO (World Water
Development Report). In the water, different poisons have effects on humans and animals, and
plants. Among these are: Eutrophication, a lack of oxygen that suffocates plants and animals,
creating a dead zone where life cannot survive in the water. Dixion is another example that is
released into water from factories or chemical laboratories. There is a risk of cancer and miscarriage
if it is drunk.
THE END
