Water Pollution refers to the release of substances into sub surface, groundwater or into lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and oceans to the point where the substances interfere with beneficial use of water or with the natural functioning of ecosystems. In addition to the release of substances, such as chemicals, trash, or microorganisms, water pollution may also include the release of energy, in the form of radioactivity or heat, into bodies of water.
Water bodies can be polluted by a wide variety of substances, including pathogenic microorganisms, putrescine organic waste, fertilizers and plant nutrients, toxic chemicals, sediments, heat, petroleum , and radioactive substances. Not only does this spell disaster for aquatic ecosystems, the pollutants also seep through and reach the groundwater, which might end up in our households as contaminated water we use in our daily activities, including drinking.
Some of water pollutions are caused by direct sources, such as factories, refineries, etc, that directly release waste and dangerous by-products into the nearest water resource without treating them. Indirect sources include pollutants that infuse in the water bodies via groundwater or soil or via the atmosphere through acid rain.
Some of the sources of water pollution are-
- Domestic Waste- Groundwater is one of our least visible but most visible but most critical natural resources. With rainfall it becomes groundwater as it seeps to the earth filling up the cracks, crevices and porous aquifers which is an underground store house of water. Drinking water gets polluted when contaminants such as fertilizers, pesticides and water leaching from separate systems make their way into the system. It becomes polluted and unsafe for humans and remains unusable for decades or even thousands of years.
- Industrial Effluents- Industries produce tremendous amount of waste which contains toxic Chemicals and pollutants causing air pollution and damages our environment. They contain harmful Chemicals including lead, Mercury, sulphur, nitrates, asbestos, etc. The toxic Chemicals may change the colour of water, increase the number of minerals , lead to eutrophication and change the temperature of water.
- Insecticides and pesticides- These are washed off into water sources and pose a threat to the the quality of the water.
- Acid rain- It is essentially water pollution caused by air pollution. When the acidic particles released in the atmosphere by thr pollution mix with water vapour, it results in acid rain.
- Sewage and Wastewater- A small leakage from the sewer line can completely contaminate the underground water and make it imperfect for the people to drink. Also when not repaired on time, the water can come onto the surface and become a breeding ground for insects.
- Marine Dumping- 80% of Ocean pollution or marine pollution originates onland along the coast or far inland. Streams and rivers contains Chemicals nutrients and heavy metals that are carried from farms, factories and cities into the bays, in estuaries and from there the into the oceans. Water pollution also leads to many diseases such as typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis and many others. It results in eradication of ecosystem, eutrophication and severe impact on the food chain. The best way to prevent large scale water pollution is to reduce its wastage. There are numerous small changes we can make to protect ourselves from a future where water is scarce. Life is ultimately about choices and so is water pollution. We cannot live with sewage- strewn beaches, contaminated rivers, and fish that are poisonous to eat and drink. To avoid these scenarios, we can work together to keep the environment clean so the water bodies, plants, animals, and people who depend on it remain healthy. We can take action as countries and continents to make a safe and healthy future.
Sources:-
https://Britannica.com/science/water-pollution
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/teacher_resources/webfieldtrips/water_pollution/
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3 Comments
Thank you Chhavi for sharing.
Posted 20-03-2022 02:24
Hello Chhavi, this is your mentor Chelwoon.
The photos in the article really make me sad. There are many kinds of water pollutants around us. Among them, we should focus more on nonpoint pollution source. Every plastic, cigarette butt, and particle on the ground flows down the rivers with acid rain. Then, there is no way to find out where those come from. In this regard, it is very hard to deal with nonpoint pollution source. Furthermore, the impact of this is much more hazardous than other pollution sources.
Thank you for the article!
Regards,
Chelwoon
Posted 19-03-2022 21:59
Hello Chhavi, this is your mentor Joon.
As you have mentioned in your article, there are different causes of water pollution. There exists some cause of natural consequences; however, we all know that it is not a great deal of problem. What important is how we could control artificially made influences. There are possible ways we could choose depending on how strict we are going to push ahead. What we are sure is that, as members of society, we should all share some awareness of the problem and act to reduce it in daily life and urge organizations for more responsible actions.
Well read your article, and let's keep up!
Best,
Joon
Posted 17-03-2022 08:51