Water is a precious resource of life and forms the base of survival. It occupies maximum portion of the earth, out of which 97% is occupied by the salt water, 2% is trapped under glaciers and 1% is drinking water. Much of our daily activities depend a lot on available water. This has triggered many water problems such as, wastage and contamination. Though this problem has been into existence for many years, it has become more severe today. The rise in the population is exploiting the resource to make life convenient. This has brought in the destruction of this natural resource. Though we have brought comfort in our lives, it has proved hazardous for the aquatic as well as the human life. Once the disposal of waste material begins to exceed the volume of water, it triggers the issue of water contamination. There are many water pollution causes and effects but it is necessary to analyze the causes and effects to save our planet from destruction. Being an important resource, we humans must work towards conserving water.
Causes of Water Pollution
There are many factors that lead to water pollution. It is essential to first understand the sources that contribute to this problem. There are point and non point sources that raise the problem of water pollution. Harmful chemicals from the factories, industries or the hazardous smoke released by the vehicles, fall under point source as they directly target water contamination. However, the pollution created by the factories is well regulated and so fall under non point source, and same goes for transport. Let's take a proper look at some more direct and indirect sources of water pollution.
Agriculture
Lakes, rivers and streams, a source of fresh water which are under a constant threat of getting contaminated. The farmers or the landowners that are situated near the freshwater bodies contribute to the pollutants which mix up into the water polluting it. The farmers who produce crops on large-scale, need to treat and nurture their crops well to provide good quality of food to the increasing population. Taking care of these crops comes at a great price due to the usage of pesticides and fertilizers. These pesticides get washed away due to rain which eventually flow into the freshwater bodies harming the aquatic life and bringing down the quality of drinking controllingpollution.com water.
Oil Leakage
Oil Leakage pose a great problem to the local life and also the coastal business. However, aquatic life gets severely affected due to the oil spills by tankers and ships. Oil forms a thick layer which blocks the light and suffocates the fish causing them to die.
Industrial Waste
The waste from the industries or factories contribute a lot to the problem of water pollution. They use injection wells to insert all the harmful and insolvent materials into the water bodies. Emission of such materials prove to be fatal due to its ill effects on the health of humans and animals.
Contamination of Marine Water
Marine water is an easy source of water that can easily get contaminated. It is easily available to dump industrial wastes and local wastes. The water bodies that are already contaminated ultimately flow into the ocean bringing in all the harmful and dirty waste with it. This eventually spoils the water which becomes unacceptable to drink.
Dumping of Plastics
Plastic is an inevitable material which is used and produced on a large-scale. Many products are manufactured from plastic which are greatly consumed around the world. Plastic takes around 400 years to degrade and kill many fish and sea animals. Though the body of the dead animal decomposes faster, the plastic will remain and pose a threat to other sea animals. The water gets contaminated with plastics due to dumping it straight into the water or if it is thrown on the road it gets washed away by the rain, eventually landing into the freshwater bodies.
Household Products
Our daily activities require usage of water such as washing clothes, utensils, bathing, watering plants or washing hands. These activities result into wastage of water. The products that are used while performing these activities include soaps, detergents, shampoos, which are harmful chemicals and cannot get completely filtered when they get mixed up water. Ultimately the water gets spoiled and makes living difficult for humans and freshwater animals.
Sewage
Sewage often contain feces and the waste from household chores. These wastes are controlled through sewage pipes which is treated in water treatment plants. However, if sewage is left unattended, it causes water contamination and gives rise to many waterborne diseases. Many developing countries who do not have access to good living conditions and water face the problem of sewage and water pollution. Even in the developed countries if the sewage is not treated well, it will create many health problems and effect the fresh water by killing the organisms living in it.
Effects of Water Pollution
Water pollution, has brought an imbalance in the ecosystem. Here are some of the effects of water pollution which are posing a great threat to the life on earth. Take a step to analyze the effects to find a solution on how to stop water pollution.
Waterborne Diseases
Underdeveloped countries face a lot of poor sanitation problems due to which, human life gets seriously affected. Contaminated water contains disease causing micro-organisms, which gives rise to many diseases such as typhoid, diarrhea, hookworm, ascariasis and more. These diseases ruin the health of the person and sometimes prove fatal. Due to poor living conditions, the underdeveloped countries do not have easy access, for treating the diseases and suffer from long term illness. Most of the diseases spread through the recycled water, due to poor quality of filtering. Even contamination of sea water leads to problems such as ear pain, rashes, improper respiration, stomach infections and vomiting. Consumption of contaminated water have adverse effect on body organs causing harm to heart and kidneys.
Chemical Pollution
Chemical release into freshwater bodies has brought down the quality of drinking water. This problem is turning serious, as even oceans are becoming the target of chemical contamination. Chemical contamination arises due to poor piping systems because of which the chemicals could easily seep into the freshwater bodies ultimately killing aquatic flora and fauna. Many industries and factories cause point source water pollution while the non point source water pollution is caused due to pesticides. Intake of such a water damages the nervous system, damages liver, and causes various cancers. The chemicals that come through oil and petroleum might get evaporated but some oil components might stay back in the water. In case of crude oil, its components remain in the water for many years and cause a severe effect on the marine environment.
Marine Waste
Unawareness regarding dumping the trash in marine water have raised many problems. The trash disposed in the water have adverse effects on the surroundings and also the marine life. This trash includes the household products, plastic and food. This makes the water dirty and gives rise to foul smell in the nearby surroundings. Plastic is non degradable product and if thrown into water, it takes years to degrade. However, this product gets worn out and breaks into small pieces which could be consumed by the marine animals causing them to die.
Mining
Acid marine drainage, metal contamination and increase in the sediments in streams cause water pollution. These problems occur through many sources. Among them, acid marine drainage is more hazardous which causes soil erosion as well as ground water contamination. Sulfide minerals contained in the disposed mine rocks come in contact with water and make it acidic. These acids kill the marine life and cannot be recycled and used for drinking purposes.
Water is an important resource and problems regarding its pollution and conservation have always been prevalent. Though the effects of water pollution are not sudden, they have a negative impact on aquatic animals and human life. It is important to learn and understand the water pollution causes and effects, as it has brought down the quality of living, introducing many diseases and altering the water ecosystem. There are many measures planned to conserve water and prevent it from getting contaminated. However, as this is a grave problem, it is difficult to implement the preventive measures immediately. Begin the conservation at home and reduce the wastage of water and prevent this precious source of survival from getting polluted completely.
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