Pollution
what is it?
In simple words, water pollution is the contamination of water bodies.
what causes it?
1. Industrial Waste: much of the waste from industries contains toxic chemicals and pollutants. These have a severe negative effect on the environment. Harmful substances such as lead, sulphur, mercury, nitrate, and asbestos is often present in the water. When such water is improperly drained and disposed of, it will flow into the surrounding rivers and canals damaging both the lives of organisms in the water and those consuming the water.
2. Sewage and waste water: Sewage water contains many harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause health problems for all consumers. In fact, over 30 billion tons of sewage are discharged into the earth’s water resources every day.
3. Mining activities: These activities cause a buildup of metallic waste and sulphides in the water. These substances are linked with several health problems.
4. Marine dumping: In certain countries, the collected household garbage is deposited into the sea. This garbage can include glass, aluminum, plastic, and rubber – some of which will take 200 years to decompose. This form of water pollution harms not only water quality but also the sea animals.
5. Accidental Oil leakage: Due to the difference in polarity, oil will not dissolve in ocean water. It will therefore cause a varying degree of problems for the local marine wildlife.
6. Burning of fossil fuels: Ash particles that are produced from the burning of fossil fuels can mix with water vapor. This causes a phenomenon known as acid rain (https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain)
7. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides: These are often used by farmers in order to protect their crops from bacteria and insects. However, when these chemicals become mixed with the water used to irrigate the land, it can flow into the rivers and canals. This is harmful for animals, plants, and consumers.
2. Sewage and waste water: Sewage water contains many harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause health problems for all consumers. In fact, over 30 billion tons of sewage are discharged into the earth’s water resources every day.
3. Mining activities: These activities cause a buildup of metallic waste and sulphides in the water. These substances are linked with several health problems.
4. Marine dumping: In certain countries, the collected household garbage is deposited into the sea. This garbage can include glass, aluminum, plastic, and rubber – some of which will take 200 years to decompose. This form of water pollution harms not only water quality but also the sea animals.
5. Accidental Oil leakage: Due to the difference in polarity, oil will not dissolve in ocean water. It will therefore cause a varying degree of problems for the local marine wildlife.
6. Burning of fossil fuels: Ash particles that are produced from the burning of fossil fuels can mix with water vapor. This causes a phenomenon known as acid rain (https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain)
7. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides: These are often used by farmers in order to protect their crops from bacteria and insects. However, when these chemicals become mixed with the water used to irrigate the land, it can flow into the rivers and canals. This is harmful for animals, plants, and consumers.
who is affected?
If water is contaminated by any of the above pollutants, or by others that were not mentioned, it will affect every living organism that lives in or consumes it. In fact, in India alone, over a thousand children die every single day due to consumption of polluted water.
where is it?
Water pollution can be seen in every continent on earth. Over 700 million people around the world drink contaminated water on a regular basis. For a visual representation of the regions that are effected by water pollution, see the map below.