DEFINITION OF DISASTER

Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, destruction and
devastation to life and property. WHO defines Disaster as "any occurrence, that causes
damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health andhealth
services, on a scale sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the
affected community or area
The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies with the geographical
location, climate and the type of the earth surface/degree of vulnerability. This
influences the mental, socio-economic, political and cultural state of the affected area.
Generally, disaster has the following effects in the concerned areas:
1. It completely disrupts the normal day to day life.
2. It negatively influences the emergency systems.
3. Normal needs and processes like flood, shelter, health, etc. are affected and
deteriorate depending on the intensity and severity of the disaster.
It may also be termed as a serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing
widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the
affected society to cope using its own resources

Thus, a disaster may have the following main features:

Unpredictability

Unfamiliarity

Speed

Urgency

Uncertainty

Threat
COMPONENTS OF DISASTER
Risk is a measure of the expected losses due to a hazardous event of a particular magnitude
occurring in a given area over a specific time period. Risk is a function of the probability of
particular occurrences and the losses each would cause. The level of risk depends on:
Nature of the Hazard
Vulnerability of the elements which are affected
Economic value of those elements
Vulnerability is defined as the extent to which a community, structure, service,
and/or geographic area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of particular
hazard, on account of their nature, construction and proximity to hazardous terrain or a
disaster prone area
Hazards are defined as Phenomena that pose a threat to people, structures, or
economic assets and which may cause a disaster. They could be either manmade or naturally
occurring in our environment.
The extent of damage in a disaster depends on:
1. The impact, intensity and characteristics of the phenomenon and
2. How people, environment and infrastructures are affected by that phenomenon

This relationship can be written as an equation:


DISASTER RISK = HAZARD + VULNERABILITY


TYPES OF DISASTER
1. Natural
2.Man Made

NATURAL DISASTER:
A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth;
examples include floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic
processes. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or property damage, and typically leaves
some economic damage in its wake, the severity of which depends on the affected
population's resilience, or ability to recover

TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTER
Earthquake
Earthquake is an unexpected and rapid shaking of earth due to the breakage and shifting of underneath
layers of Earth. Earthquake strikes all of a sudden at any time of day or night and quite violently. It gives no
prior warning. If it happens in a populated area, the earthquake can cause great loss to human lifeand
property
Earthquakes are sudden slippages or movements in a
portion of the earth's crust accompanied by a series of vibrations.
Aftershocks of similar or lesser intensity can follow the main quake.

Earthquakes can occur at any time of the year. An earthquake is
generally considered to be the most destructive and frightening of all
forces of nature.

(i) Causes

Earthquakes are natural ways of releasing energy by earth. An earthquake occurs in certain
pockets of the earth which has geological faults. Such areas have already been identified.

ii) Effects

Structural damage

Earthquakes may cause physical damage to the buildings, roads, dams and monuments.
High rise buildings or building built on weak foundations are especially susceptible to
earthquake damage. Household articles including electronic goods and furniture get
damaged. Human and livestock deaths or serious injuries from collapsing of building are
common followed by outbreak of epidemics like cholera, diarrhoea, and infectious diseases.
Utilities such as water supply, sewerage, communication lines, power-lines, transportation
network, and railways get damaged.

Management

The effects can be minimized if some of the following measures are taken:-

Design of buildings

The buildings should be designed especially in earthquake prone areas in such a manner
that they can withstand the stress of earthquake. Physical characteristics of soil should be
analysed in order to ensure the strength to withstand the earthquake. Bureau of Indian
Standards has formulated building designs and guidelines for constructions that withstand
against earthquakes. Generally building design is approved by the concerned municipal
authorities according to build by laws and safety requirements. Training of the builders,
architects, contractors, designers, house owners and government officials is important.

Some of the precautionary measures in the event of an earthquake are as
follows:

Move out in the open;

Keep calm, do not rush and panic, never use lift, keep away from windows, mirrors
and furniture;

Stand under strong beams that may not fall or creep under the dining table or a strong
bed;

If you are under a building and unable to move, cover your head and body with your
arms, pillows, blankets to protect yourself from falling objects;

If in a multi storey building stay on the same floor. Do not use elevators or run towards
the staircase;

If travelling stop the vehicle away from building, walls, bridge, trees, electricity poles
and wires;

Check for structural damage and clear the blockage;

Check for injuries. Apply first aid. Help others;

If your home is badly damaged by earthquake, come out immediately. Collect all
emergency supplies like food, water, first aid kit, medicines, flash light or torch, candles,
matchbox, clothes etc; if possible;

Keep away from buildings especially old and tall ones, electricity poles, wires and
walls.

Impact

Earthquake losses, like those of other disasters, tend to cause more
financial losses in industrialized countries and, as the developed
countries have better early warning systems and life saving means,
more injuries and deaths occur in undeveloped countries.
Deaths and injuries from earthquakes vary according to the type of
housing available, time of day of occurrence, and population density.
Common injuries include cuts, broken bones, crush injuries, and
dehydration from being trapped in rubble. Stress reactions are also
common. Morbidity and mortality can occur during the actual quake,
the delayed collapse of unsound structures, or clean-up activity

(a) Floods

Floods are sudden and temporary inundation of a large area as an overflowing of rivers or
reservoirs.

(i) Causes

Floods are caused by rains, high winds, cyclones, tsunami, melting snow or dam burst.
Flood can happen gradually or can happen suddenly due to heavy rains, breach of the
water storage and control structures, spillover. Siltation of the rivers and reservoirs, and
this can enhance the incidence and magnitude of floods.

a. Heavy rainfall

b. Heavy siltation of the river bed reduces
the water carrying capacity of the
rivers/stream.

c. Blockage in the drains lead to flooding
of the area.

d. Landslides blocking the flow of the
stream.

e. Construction of dams and reservoirs

f. In areas prone to cyclone, strong winds
Accompanied by heavy down pour
along with storm surge leads to
Flooding.


(ii) Effects

Casualties

Human and livestock death due to drowning, serious injuries and outbreak of epidemics
like diarrhea, cholera, jaundice or viral infections are common problems faced in flood
affected areas. Even wells, other source of drinking water get submerged resulting in acute
shortage of safe drinking water during floods. Consequently often people are forced to
drink the contaminated floodwater, which may cause serious diseases.

Structural damage

During floods mud huts and buildings built on weak foundations collapse endangering
human lives and property. Damage may also be cause to roads, rail, dams, monuments,
crops and cattle. Floods may uproot trees and may cause landslides and soil erosion.

Material loss

Household articles including eatables, electronic goods, beds, clothes, furniture get
submerged in water and get spoilt all materials mounted on ground e.g. food stock,
equipment, vehicles, livestock, machinery, salt pan and fishing boats can be submerged
and spoilt.

Utilities damage

Utilities such as water supply, sewerage, communication lines, power-lines, transportation
network and railways are put at risk.

Crop loss

Apart from the loss of human and cattle life, floods cause severe devastation of standing
agricultural crops. Floods water spoils the stored food-grains or harvested crop. Floods

may affect soil characteristics and may turn them infertile due to the erosion of the top soil
or in coastal areas agricultural lands may turn saline due to flooding by sea water.

Flood control

Flood control can be achieved through various means. The floodwater can be reduced by
reducing the run-off water through afforestation. Forests promote rainwater percolation in
the ground, thus recharging the groundwater and reducing the run-off water. Construction
of dams also reduces flood water through storage. Dams can store water, which can not
be accommodated in the river downstream may cause floods. Water can be released in a
controlled manner from the dam. Desilting, deepening and increasing embankment increase
the capacity of a river/channel/drain.

Impact

Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighbourhood or community,
or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple communities.
Except for flash floods, flooding causes few deaths. Widespread and
long-lasting detrimental effects include mass homelessness,
disruption of communications and health care systems, and heavy
loss of business, livestock, crops, and grain, particularly in densely
populated, low lying areas like that of the Awash Valley. The
frequent repetition of flooding means a constant or even increasing
drain on the economy for rural as well as urban populations.

This reduces the risk of floods. Some precautionary measures are as follows

Build houses away from flood prone area.

Keep yourself alert and updated to weather and flood forecasting information.

In case evacuation warnings are issued, immediately go to the shelters provided.

When you are moving to a shelter, move your valuable articles to safer elevated places
so that they are not destroyed by flood water.

Store extra food, such as rice, pulses etc. for emergency.

Do not touch any loose electric wire to avoid electrocution.

Do not spread rumours or listen to them.

Make provision for adults and children who need special diet.

After the flood is over, get yourself and your family members inoculated against
diseases
and seek medical care for injured and sick.
Clear the house and dwellings of debris.

Report any loss to the revenue authorities.


(b) Drought

Drought is an event that results from lower than normal expected rainfall over a season or
period. The low rainfall is insufficient to meet the needs of human beings, plants, animals
and agriculture. Short fall in rain results in drying of rivers, lakes, reservoirs and drying of
wells due to excessive withdrawal and poor recharge of ground water and loss of crop
yield due to shortage of water are some of the main indicators of drought.


(i) Causes

Drought occurs due to shortage of rainfall. As per Meteorological Department if rainfall is
deficient by more than 10% of the annual average rainfall, the condition is said to be that of
drought. The severity of drought is determined by the extent of deviation of rainfall from
the average. In the recent past frequency of periods of drought have increasing due to
deforestation and environmental degradation.


(ii) Effects

Drought has severe effects on agriculture. To start with drought affects mostly rainfed
crops and subsequently the irrigated crops. The herdsman, landless labours, subsistence
farmers, women, children and farm animals are most affected.

Crop failure or food shortage leading to large scale starvation and death.

Affects dairy activities, timber and fisheries.

Increases unemployment.

Depletion of ground water.

Increases energy consumption for pumping water from deep aquifers.

Reduces energy production in hydro-electric power plants.

Loss of biodiversity; and reduced landscape quality.

Causes health problems, increased poverty, reduced quality of life and social unrest
leading to migration.

Impact of Droughts on Built and Natural Environments

Primary (Immediate) Effects

Water supplies are overtaxed and finally dry up
Loss of crops
Loss of livestock and other animals, and
Loss of water for hygienic use and drinking.

Secondary (Resulting) Effects of Drought

Migration in search of better grazing lands
Famine
Permanent changes of settlement, social, and living
patterns.
Major ecological changes (scrub growth, flash flooding and
increased wind erosion of soils)
Desertification.


Tsunamis

Definition: A tsunami is a series of waves generated by an under
sea disturbance such as an earthquake. From the area of the
disturbance, the waves will travel outward in all directions, much like
the ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond. As the waves
approach the shallow coastal waters, they appear normal and speed
decreases. Then as the tsunami nears coastline, it may grow to a
great height and smash into the shore, causing such destruction.

Tsunamis (pronounced soo-n-mees), also known as seismic sea
waves (mistakenly called tidal waves), are a series of enormous
waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an
earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. A tsunami can
move hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and smash into
land with waves as high as 100 feet or more.

Protective Measures

Guidelines for what you should do if a tsunami is likely in your area:

Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning

Move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there.

If there is noticeable recession in water away from the
shoreline this is nature's tsunami warning and it should be
heeded. You should move away immediately

Guidelines for the period following a tsunami:

Stay away from flooded and damaged areas until officials
say it is safe to return.

Stay away from debris in the water; it may pose a safety
hazard to boats and people.


Epidemic


An epidemic is the occurrence of a number of cases of a disease in
excess of the usual occurrence for a given place and time.
A threatened (or potential) epidemic is said to exist when the
circumstances are such that the epidemic occurrence of a specific
disease may reasonably be anticipated.

The spread of infectious disease depends upon preexisting levels of
the disease, ecological changes resulting from disaster, population
displacement, and changes in the density of population, disruption of
public utilities, interruption of basic public health services,
compromising the sanitation and hygiene. The probability that
epidemics of infectious diseases will occur is proportional to the
population density and displacement. An epidemic can occur in
susceptible populations in the presence or impeding introduction of a
disease agent compounded by the presence of a mechanism that
facilitates large-scale transmission (For example, Contamination of
water supply or increment of vector population).

In general, many natural and/or man made disasters that affect or
disrupt one or more parts of the public health infrastructure,
including the sanitation systems, potable water supplies, nutrition
stores, primary health care access (including routine immunization
program), vector control programs, and established systematic
surveillance mechanisms, can trigger infectious disease outbreaks.

Impact:

Displaced populations suffer high rate of disease due to stress of
migration, crowding, and unsanitary conditions of relocation sites.
Morbidity and mortality can result from diarrheal diseases,
respiratory diseases, and malnutrition. Mortality exceeding a
baseline of one death per 10,000 people per day is the index of
concern.

The public health importance of an epidemic disease results from
the number of persons at risk, risk of fatal cases or sequelae, speed
of spread, disruption of social life and economic losses, possible
contamination of water supply, food chains, local animal reservoirs
and vectors, the risk of new epidemic situation and difficulty and cost
associated with prevention and control.

Quick response is essential because epidemics, which result in
human and economic losses and political difficulties, often rise
rapidly. An epidemic or threatened epidemic can become an
emergency when the following characteristics of the events are
present. Not all of the characteristics need to be present and each
must be assessed with regard to relative importance equally:

Risk of introduction to and spread of the disease in the
population;

Large number of cases may reasonably be expected to
occur ;

Disease involved is of such severity as to lead to serious
disability or death;

Risk of social or economic disruption resulting from the
presence of the disease;

Authorities are unable to cope adequately with the situation
due to insufficient technical or professional, organizational
experiences, and necessary supplies or equipment (eg.
Drugs, vaccines, laboratory diagnostic materials, vector
control materials, etc.);

Risk of international transmission.



Landslide

The term landslide includes all varieties of
mass movements of hill slopes and can be
defined as the downward and outward
movement of slope forming materials
composed of rocks, soils etc.

Causes of Landslide

There are several causes of landslide. Some
of the major causes are as follows:

1. Geological Weak material: Weakness
in the composition and structure of
rock or soil may also cause landslides.

2. Erosion: Erosion of slope toe due to
cutting down of vegetation,
construction of roads might increase
the vulnerability of the terrain to slide
down.

3. Intense rainfall: Storms that produce
intense rainfall for periods as short as
several hours or have a more
moderate intensity lasting several days
have triggered abundant landslides.
Heavy melting of snow in the hilly
terrains also results in landslide.

4. Human Excavation of slope and its toe,
loading of slope/toe, draw down in
reservoir, mining, deforestation,
irrigation, vibration/blast, Water
leakage from services.

5. Earthquake shaking has triggered
landslides in many different
topographic and geologic settings.
Rock falls, soil slides and rockslides
from steep slopes involving relatively
thin or shallow dis-aggregated soils or
rock, or both have been the most
abundant types of landslides triggered
by historical earthquakes.

6. Volcanic eruption Deposition of loose
volcanic ash on hillsides commonly is
followed by accelerated erosion and
frequent mud or debris flows triggered
by intense rainfall.


MAN MADE DISASTER

Fires

Fires are events of burning something. They are often destructive taking up toll of life
and
property. It is observed that more people die in a fire than in a cyclone, earthquake, floods
and other natural disasters combined. Fires are a great threat to forests and wild life
because they spread speedily and cause tremendous damage in a short time. In cities fires
break out in home, jhuggis, buildings specially godowns and factories. Fire can spread to
a large area. Many people may die of burns and asphyxiation. It may also cause


(i) Causes

During summer months such fires results in casualties and enormous economic losses.
There are numerous causes of fires. Some important ones are given here-

Throwing burning matchsticks or cigarettes irresponsibility.

Heating sources can cause fire in houses e.g. clothes may catch fire while cooking on
kerosene stove or gas stove.

Cooking accidents are a major cause of fire at home. Fire can result due to unattended
cooking.

A short circuit in an electric wiring can cause fire. Overheating of electric appliances,
poor wiring connections, use of sub-standard quality appliances can also result in a
fire.

Rubbish and waste materials often lying on roadsides or near houses may catch fire
when people throw burning matchstick or cigarette butt.

Storage and transportation of inflammable material or explosive chemicals without
proper precautions may cause fires.

Forest fires may result from human negligence or carelessness.


Wildfires:

Wild land fires are classified into three categories:

A surface fire: is the common type and burns along the floor
of a forest, moving slowly and killing or damaging the trees;

A ground fire: is usually started by lightning and burns on or
below the forest floor;

A crown fire: spreads rapidly by winds and moves quickly
by jumping along the top of trees. Wildland fires are usually
signaled by dense smoke that fills the area for miles
around.

If heavy rains follow a fire, other natural disasters can occur,
including landslides, mudflows, and floods. Once ground cover has
been burned away, little is left to hold soil in place on steep slopes
and hillsides. If the wild land fire destroyed the ground cover, then
erosion becomes one of several potential problem


Road accidents

Road networks are developed for better connectivity and service. Increased number of
vehicles, violation of traffic rules, speeding, drunken driving and poor maintenance of
vehicles as well as of roads are some of the main causes of road accidents. In order to
avoid accidents following safety measures can be adopted:

Look on either side of the road before crossing.

Use zebra crossing while crossing the road by foot.

Wear helmet while riding a two-wheeler.

Use seat belt provided in your car
.
Drive only if you possess a proper driving license
.
Be familiar with road markings and honour them.

Maintain a safety distance from the vehicle in front.

Do not jump lanes. It becomes difficult for other vehicles, on the road to anticipate
your move.

Do not be rash and do not try to overtake unnecessarily.

The best way to be safe on roads is to follow lane driving

While driving avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration.

Replace the worn tyres and faulty headlamps.

Check the tyre pressure, radiator water, brake oil and fuel frequently.

Dip your beam whenever you spot an oncoming vehicle.

Follow the maintenance schedule prescribed by the manufacturer.

Overcome impatience, anger and intoxication during driving. Road rage is dangerous.

In case a mishap occurs stay calm.

In case of fire, try to get out as early as possible and do not worry about the baggage.

Rail accident

The most common type of rail accident is derailment due to human error, sabotage or
natural landslide in a hilly track, or fire. Rail accidents lead to large number of casualties
and material damage. Indian Railways incur heavy loss due to such accidents every year.

Some of the common safety measures are:-

At railway crossings pay attention to the signal and the swing barrier. Do not get
underneath and try to get across.

In case of a unmanned crossing, get down from the vehicle and look at either sides of
the track before crossing.

Do not stop the train on a bridge or tunnel where evacuation is not possible.

Do not carry inflammable material in a train.

Do not lean out of a moving train.

Do not smoke in train.

Do not pull the emergency cord unnecessarily.

(iii) Air accidents

Air accidents may occur due to technical problems, fire, poor landing and take-off, weather
conditions, hijacking, bombing etc

. Some of the common safety measures are
:
Pay attention to the flight crew safety demonstration.

Carefully read the safety card in the pocket.

Know where is the nearest emergency exit and learn how to open it.

Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

Stay calm, listen to the crew members and follow their instructions.

Before you try to open any emergency door yourself, look outside the window. If you
see a fire outside the door, do not open it or the flame may spread into the cabin. Try
to use an alternate route for escape.

Remember, smoke rises. So try to stay down if there is smoke in the cabin.

If you have a cloth, put it over your nose and mouth.




Pollution: is undesirable state of the natural environment being
contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human
activities. Pollution is the contamination of the air, water, or earth by
harmful or potentially harmful substances.


2.9.1. Air pollution:

Air pollution is the presence in the air of substances put there by
the acts of man in concentrations sufficient to interfere with health,
comfort, or safety, or with full use and enjoyment of property.
The term is often used to identify undesirable substances produced
by human activity. Air pollution usually designates the collection of
substances that adversely affect human health, animals, and plants;
deteriorates structures; interferes with commerce; or interferes with
the enjoyment of life




The causes of air pollution
Air pollution can be caused by many industrial and domestic activities.
Traffic
Traffic fumes from cars, buses, lorries and other vehicles are the main cause of air
pollution. Southwark has several 'Commuter Corridors' that support a constant flow of
heavy traffic to and from central London. Recent measures such as the introduction of
cleaner fuels and catalytic converters help to control the emissions, but further solutions
are needed
Industrial activities
There are very few industrial areas in Southwark. However activities such as vehicle
spraying, printing/processing and petrol filling stations are regulated for their emissions
by the council.
Construction sites
Construction works both demolition and building causes the release of dust and solvent
pollution. The council has produced an environmental code to control construction
operations. The Environmental Code of Construction Practice will soon be made
available online.
Energy usage
The increasing number of offices, working environments and residential properties in
Southwark also involves an increase in emissions from those buildings. This problem will
be addressed through the 'sustainability assessment' criteria introduced by the new
Southwark Plan.
Domestic smoke
The recent trend for open fireplaces has raised the issue of domestic smoke. Southwark is
a Smoke Control Area. This means that coal, wood and oil cannot be burned in
Southwark unless a) they can be burned without producing smoke i.e. using smokeless
fuels, or b) you have an 'exempted fireplace'. You can download a list of approved
smokeless fuels and exempted fireplaces.
Bonfires and fireworks
Garden bonfires and fireworks generate smoke particles and pollutants. Instead of
burning your garden waste, turn it into compost. Garden waste that's too woody to
compost can be disposed of at Southwark's recycle and re-use centres.

Water pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies
(e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs whenpollutants are
directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful
compounds.
Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases
the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the
natural biological communities.

The main causes for water pollution are :
Disposal of waste:
This waste includes sewage, garbage and liquid waste from factories and homes.
Wastages from chemical factories contain many toxic or poisonous chemicals. These are
discharged into rivers. The river-water becomes poisonous for fish and other aquatic
animals and plants.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides:
Farmers use fertilizers for growth, and pesticides to kill insects that damage crops.
Fertilizers and pesticides which are good for plants, may be harmful to human beings and
animals. Many of these chemicals get dissolved in rainwater which flows into ponds,
canals, rivers and seas.
Disposal of human excreta and animal dung:
The rain washes away human excreta and animal dung into rivers, ponds and
lakes. Drinking this polluted water may cause several water-borne diseases such as
diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, typhoid and cholera. Polluted river-water can cause
diseases to the whole population.

Sewage from domestic households, factories and commercial buildings Sewage that is
treated in water treatment plants is often disposed into the sea. Sewage can be more
problematic when people flush chemicals and pharmaceutical substances down the
toilet.
Dumping solid wastes and littering by humans in rivers, lakes and oceans. Littering
items include cardboard, Styrofoam, aluminum, plastic and glass.
Industrial waste from factories, which use freshwater to carry waste from the plant
into rivers, contaminates waters with pollutants such as asbestos, lead, mercury and
petrochemicals.
Oil Pollution caused by oil spills from tankers and oil from ship travel. Oil does not
dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge.
Burning fossil fuels into the air causes the formation of acidic particles in the
atmosphere. When these particles mix with water vapor, the result is acid rain.
An increase in water temperature is caused by global warming and thermal plants that
use lakes and rivers to cool down mechanical equipment.

Effects of Water Pollution

Groundwater contamination from pesticides causes
reproductive damage withinwildlife in ecosystems.
Sewage, fertilizer, and agricultural run-off contain organic materials that when
discharged into waters, increase the growth of algae, which causes the depletion of
oxygen. The low oxygen levels are not able to support most indigenous organisms in
the area and therefore upset the natural ecological balance in rivers and lakes.
Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health
problems like cancer, reproductive problems, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in
humans. Which is why its very important to make sure that your water is clean
and safe to drink.
Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides that end up in aquatic environments
can accumulate in fish that are later eaten by humans. Fish are easily poisoned with
metals that are also later consumed by humans. Mercury is particularly poisonous
to small children and women. Mercury has been found to interfere with the
development of the nervous system in fetuses and young children.
Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefsare
affected by the bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures. Additionally, thewarm
water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler water in other areas, causing an
ecological damaging shift of the affected area.
Human-produced litter of items such as plastic bags and 6-pack rings can get aquatic
animals caught and killed from suffocation.
Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of solid waste and soil
erosion in streams and rivers.
Oil spills in the water causes animal to die when they ingest it or encounter it. Oil
does not dissolve in water so it causes suffocation in fish and birds.
Water pollution has been extensively documented as a contributor to health problems in
humans and marine animal ecosystems. It has a huge impact on our lives, and if we do
our part by not throwing trash or chemicals into our water supplies and drains, we can
contribute to the improvement of aquatic life and of our health in general.