Water pollution

Introduction
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water
bodies, usually as a result of human activities, so that it negatively
affects its uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers,
reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants
mix with these water bodies. Contaminants can come from one of four
main sources: sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural
activities, and urban runoff including stormwater. Water pollution is
either surface water pollution or groundwater pollution. This form of
pollution can lead to many problems, such as the degradation of
aquatic ecosystems or spreading water-borne diseases when people use
polluted water for drinking or irrigation. Another problem is that water
pollution reduces the ecosystem services (such as providing drinking
water) that the water resource would otherwise provide.
Sources of water pollution are either point sources or non-point
sources. Point sources have one identifiable cause, such as a storm
drain, a wastewater treatment plant or an oil spill. Non-point sources
are more diffuse, such as agricultural runoff. Pollution is the result of
the cumulative effect over time. Pollution may take the form of toxic
substances (e.g., oil, metals, plastics, pesticides, persistent organic
pollutants, industrial waste products), stressful conditions (e.g., changes
of pH, hypoxia or anoxia, increased temperatures, excessive turbidity,
changes of salinity), or the introduction of pathogenic organisms.
Contaminants may include organic and inorganic substances. A common
cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power
plants and industrial manufacturers.

Control of water pollution requires appropriate infrastructure and

management plans as well as legislation. Technology solutions can
include improving sanitation, sewage treatment, industrial wastewater
treatment, agricultural wastewater treatment, erosion control,
sediment control and control of urban runoff (including stormwater
management).

Definition
A practical definition of water pollution is: “Water pollution is the addition of
substances or energy forms that directly or indirectly alter the nature of the
water body in such a manner that negatively affects its legitimate uses”. Water
is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic
contaminants. Due to these contaminants, it either no longer supports a certain
human use, such as drinking water, or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to
support its biotic communities, such as

Causes of water pollution

Industrial waste :- Industries and industrial sites across the world are a
major contributor to water pollution. Many industrial sites produce
waste in the form of toxic chemicals and pollutants, and though
regulated, some still do not have proper waste management systems in
place. In those rare cases, industrial waste is dumped into nearby
freshwater systems. When industrial waste is not treated properly (or
worse, not treated at all), it can very easily pollute the freshwater
systems that it comes into contact with.

Industrial waste from agricultural sites, mines and manufacturing plants

can make its way into rivers, streams and other bodies of water that
lead directly to the sea. The toxic chemicals in the waste produced by
these industries not only have the potential to make water unsafe for
human consumption, they can also cause the temperature in
freshwater systems to change, making them dangerous for many water
dwelling organisms.
Marine dumping :- The process of marine dumping is exactly what it
sounds like, dumping garbage into the waters of the ocean. It might
seem crazy, but household garbage is still collected and dumped into
oceans by many countries across the world. Most of these items can
take anywhere from two to 200 years to decompose completely.
Sewage and wastewater:- Harmful chemicals, bacteria and
pathogens can be found in sewage and wastewater even when
it’s been treated. Sewage and wastewater from each
household is released into the sea with fresh water. The
pathogens and bacteria found in that wastewater breed
disease, and therefore are a cause of health-related issues in
humans and animals a alike.

Oil leak and spills:- The age-old phrase “like water and oil” is
used when describing two things that do not mix easily or at
all. Just as the saying states, water and oil do not mix, and oil
does not dissolve in water. Large oil spills and oil leaks, while
often accidental, are a major cause of water pollution. Leaks
and spills often are caused by oil drilling operations in the
ocean or ships that transport oil.

Agriculture :- In order to protect their crops from bacteria and

insects, farmers often use chemicals and pesticides. When
these substances seep into the groundwater, they can harm
animals, plants and humans. Additionally, when it rains, the
chemicals mix with rainwater, which then flows into rivers and
streams that filter into the ocean, causing further water
pollution.
Global warning :- Rising temperatures due to global warming
are a major concern in terms of water pollution. Global
warming causes water temperatures to rise, which can kill
water-dwelling animals. When large die-offs occur, it further
pollutes the water supply, exacerbating the issue.
There are many everyday ways you can help reduce global
warming, which will in turn help lower water pollution. These
methods include recycling, carpooling and using CFL bulbs in
your home.

Radio active waste :- Radioactive waste from facilities that

create nuclear energy can be extremely hazardous to the
environment and must be disposed of properly. This is
because uranium, the element used in the creation of nuclear
energy, is a highly toxic chemical.
Unfortunately, accidents still occur at these facilities, and toxic
waste is released into the environment. The coal and gas
industries are, in many ways, no better. This is one of the major
impetuses behind the development of alternative, clean
sources of energy, including solar and wind.

Effects of water pollution

Food chain disruption :- The food chain is disrupted by water
pollution by reducing the number of primary consumers. Water
pollution may lead to reduction in the numbers of primary
consumers which leads to a reduction in the numbers of
secondary and tertiary consumers. This is because organisms such
as fish may act as primary consumers in certain ecosystems. Water
pollution can also lead to poisoning of animals at all trophic levels
thus reducing the overall health of the entire ecosystem.
Affect aquatic life :- Aquatic life forms mainly suffer because of water
pollution because of loss of enough amount of fresh dissolved oxygen in
water bodies due to raised volume of toxicity in water. Toxicity which is
a result of water pollution leads to death of aquatic life forms.
Affect human life :- Pollution can cause water to become toxic to
humans, which can lead to infections and health problems. Water is an
essential resource for all life on Earth. If a water source becomes
contaminated due to pollution, it can lead to health issues in humans,
such as cancer or cardiovascular conditions.

Destruction of ecosystem :- The introduction or elimination of certain

microorganisms distorts the ecosystem. Nutrient pollution, for example,
leads to an increase in algae, which depletes the water of oxygen,
thereby leading to the death of fish and other aquatic life.
Measure of control
Prevention is better than cure. So in order to prevent the effect of water
pollution on the ecosystem preventive measure needs to take. The
measures to reduce water Pollution includes-
1. Recycle.
2. Treatment of sewage water and industrial effluents should be done
before they are released directly into the water bodies.
3. Hot water should be cooled before they are finally released from
the power plants.
4. Regular Domestic Cleaning in tanks, streams and rivers, which
supply drinking water, should be prohibited.
5. Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides should be
avoided.
6. Organic farming and the efficient use of animal residues as
fertilizers also act as control measures to reduce water pollution.
7. Water hyacinth (an aquatic weed) also purifies water by taking
some toxic materials and a number of heavy metals from water.