WATER POLLUTION

HOW WATER WAS MADE ON EARTH

Millions of years ago, there was no water on the Earth and hence no life. When water
started appearing, life started to grow and hence humans evolved. Now we humans are
polluting this water on which we survive. So to understand its importance, we will see how
water was created.

WATER IS MADE UP OF HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN ATOMS. THESE ATOMS WERE MADE JUST AFTER THE
"BIG BANG". OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN COMBINED TO FORM H2O OR WATER.
THE WATER FORMED WAS MOSTLY IN THE FORM OF VAPOUR AND GOT MIXED WITH THE COSMIC DUST
TO REACH THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH . WHEN EARTH WAS FORMED, THESE WATER VAPOURS COOLED
DOWN TO FORM OCEANS , SEAS, RIVERS LAKES AND OTHER WATER BODIES .(SOURCE - BYJUS)

Let us now understand what water pollution is-

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, reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution results
when contaminants are introduced into these water bodies. It can be attributed to one of
the four sources: sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban
runoff including storm water. It can be grouped into surface water pollution (either fresh
water pollution or marine pollution) or groundwater pollution. For example, releasing
inadequately treated wastewater into natural waters can lead to degradation of
these aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution can also lead to water-borne diseases in people
using polluted water for drinking, bathing, washing or irrigation. Water pollution reduces
the ability of the body of water to provide the ecosystem services (such as drinking water)
that it would otherwise provide. There are two types of water pollution:

 1.Organic pollution due to microorganisms - bacteria and viruses - present in the water,
generated by excrement, animal and vegetable waste
 2.Chemical pollution generated by the nitrates and phosphates of pesticides, human and
animal drugs, household products, heavy metals, acids and hydrocarbons used in industries

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

PATHOGENS
One of the most severe pollutants is the disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens.
Pathogens are mostly bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Although bacteria are considered
harmless if not beneficial, there are a few pathogenic bacteria as well, which enter the
water bodies through sewers and sanitation systems. The water-borne pathogens cause
several diseases such as diarrhoea, gastrointestinal illness, etc.

ORGANIC WASTES
Organic water pollutants include food waste, detergents, leaves, grass, etc. They originate
from domestic sewage, discharge from food processing factories and farm wastes that reach
the water sources through runoff and pollute them. It is a fact that bacteria decompose
complex organic matter into the simple organic matter.
They consume oxygen which is dissolved in water. As the organic waste content in the water
increases, so does the count of decomposers. They use up a lot of oxygen which results in
the depletion of oxygen content in water. This adversely affects aquatic life.

CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS
Chemical pollutants include heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc., solvents
from industries, pesticide run-offs, oil spills from ships, etc. They are poisonous to aquatic
life forms and cause infertility and death. The metal wastes are dangerous to humans as
well when they get absorbed in our body. They can damage the nervous system, kidneys,
etc.

SPILLS OR LEAKS FROM OIL AND CHEMICAL CONTAINERS

An oil and chemical spill is one of the most devastating environmental disasters that can
happen because it effects people, animals, the land and the coastal waters ways. They can
kill wildlife, destroy habitats, and contaminate critical resources in the food chain.

GLOBAL WARMING.
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.

SEWAGE AND WASTEWATER Inadequate sewage collection and treatment are sources of water
pollution. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the worldwide wastewater goes
back in the environment without being treated or reused.
URBANIZATION AND DEFORESTATION Even though it does not have a direct impact on water
quality, urbanization and deforestation have a lot of indirect effects. For instance, cutting down
trees and concreting over large areas generates an acceleration of flows which does not give
enough time for water to infiltrate and be purified by the ground.

AGRICULTURE Agriculture has an impact on water pollution due to the use of chemicals such as
fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or insecticides running off in the water, as well as
livestock excrement, manure and methane (greenhouse effect). Regarding aquaculture, pollution
is directly in the water, as excess food and fertilizers are causing dystrophication.

INDUSTRIES Industries produce a lot of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants. A huge
amount of the industrial waste is drained in the fresh water which then flows into canals, rivers
and eventually in the sea. Another source of water pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, causing
air pollution like acid rain which then flows to streams, lakes, and other stretches of water.

MARINE DUMPING Everyday, garbage such as plastic, paper, aluminum, food, glass, or rubber
are deposited into the sea. These items take weeks to hundreds of years to decompose, and thus
they are a major cause for water pollution.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE Generated - among others - by power plants and uranium mining,
radioactive waste can linger in the environment for thousands of years. When these substances
are released accidentally or disposed improperly, they threaten groundwater, surface water, as
well as marine resources.

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

1. Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way has many
disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and various other
diseases.

2. Destruction of Ecosystems: Ecosystems are extremely dynamic and respond to even

small changes in the environment. Water pollution can cause an entire ecosystem to
collapse if left unchecked.

3. Eutrophication: Chemicals in a water body, encourage the growth of algae. These

algae form a layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria feed on this algae and
this decreases the amount of oxygen in the water body, severely affecting the aquatic
life there.

4. Effects the food chain: Disruption in food chains happens when toxins and pollutants in
the water are consumed by aquatic animals (fish, shellfish etc) which are then consumed
by humans.
5. Toxic elements dissolved in water can make their way to humans through fish or
other aquatic organisms.
6. Water pollution also leaches chemicals into the soil that may impact the growth of
plants or other food crops.
7. Another ocean pollution problem is the seasonal formation of “dead zones” (i.e.,
hypoxic areas, where dissolved oxygen levels drop so low that most higher forms of
aquatic life vanish) in certain coastal areas. The cause is nutrient enrichment from
dispersed agricultural runoff and concomitant algal blooms. Dead zones occur
worldwide; one of the largest of these (sometimes as large as 22,730 square km [8,776
square miles]) forms annually in the Gulf of Mexico, beginning at the Mississippi
River delta. Source- Britannica
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION ON GROUNDWATER AND OCEANS
Groundwater—water contained in underground geologic formations called aquifers—is a
source of drinking water for many people. For example, about half the people in the United
States depend on groundwater for their domestic water supply. Although groundwater may
appear crystal clear (due to the natural filtration that occurs as it flows slowly through layers
of soil), it may still be polluted by dissolved chemicals and by bacteria and viruses.

Prevention of water pollution

TRY TO USE AS LITTLE PLASTIC AS POSSIBLE

Almost all of the plastic we use ends up in the world’s water supply because it is so hard to

break down. Our rivers and oceans are filled with plastic where it gets even more difficult to

remove and safely recycled so if you try to use as little plastic items as you can, then
automatically you are helping the planet be a little freer.

IF YOU HAVE AN OPTION, PICK A RECYCLABLE

If there are more than one option for a object that you want to buy, try to choose the one

that is easily recyclable. For example, a glass container is much healthier than plastic. Plus, it

can be used and cleaned over and over, then recycled to be made into a new product.

MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLES REGULARLY

A car, truck, or engine needs maintenance after regular or mileage periods. Oil and other

dangerous fluids leaking from them can wind up in the local water system or run off into

gutters into lakes, creeks and streams. Seals, hoses, and gaskets can get cracked lean and

then tend to become more expensive mechanical problems. When you are repairing your

vehicle watch for spills, like oil. The waste, solid and liquid, that gets away when you are

working on your car or bike can be dangerous to water. Oil and transmission fluid are two

examples of liquids you do not want in your drains or sewers.

PICK UP OTHER PEOPLE’S LITTER

If you find other people’s little near water, if you feel safe doing it, pick up their items and

throw them in a safe place. Try to put it in a bag or can but if there is nothing there save it

and throw it away when you get home. Unfortunately, people are mostly not kind to the
earth and thinking someone else will do their job, but we can all try to help each other and

our environment by being loving to our planet.

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH TOXIC CHEMICALS

Ammonia, bleach, paint, paint thinner, and many other very dangerous chemicals are a

terrible problem. Therefore safe and careful disposal of these is very important.

If you have to deal with these remember that there are recycling centres and drop-off sites

for a safe means of disposal that can take the old paint, used motor oil, and other chemicals

and recycle them more safely. Today, we have many alternatives as companies are now

selling less-toxic cleaners and even biodegradable cleaners and pesticides.

JUST TRY NOT TO LITTER

Because we are talking about water pollution, we will focus on that but please try not to

litter ever especially if you are in an area where there is a nearby lake, river, or ocean, do

not toss out any type of litter or garbage into or near the water. Even if you throw away a

litter, cellophane wrapper or piece of gum on the beach, the tide will eventually pick it up

and carry it into the water supply. Every little bit counts.

WHEN POSSIBLE, REUSE THINGS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.

Whenever you buy something that you cannot recycle, like most plastics, try to reuse things

as many times as you can. By doing this you will reduce the plastics load on the Earth

because less consumption will eventually wind up in the world’s rivers, lakes, streams and

oceans.

PESTICIDES ARE ALMOST ALWAYS BAD FOR WATER

Always try to minimize your chemical pesticides and herbicides because generally both are

very harmful to the environment. Go online or visit gardening stores or landscaping

companies in your town to learn about safer replacements for these products. It can be

done quite easily.

USE AS LITTLE WATER AS POSSIBLE

Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth or soaking dishes. A bath actually uses

a lot more water than showering, but do not take long showers if a short one is all you need.

Put in water restrictors into your shower head. Get a water-efficient toilet or put a brick in a

standard toilet tank to reduce flush water.

TRY TO BUY AND EAT ORGANIC

Living an organic diet reduces the amount of dangerous chemical pollution that can wind up

in the water. Organic foods also tend to be produced with fewer toxic and dangerous

chemicals. Also animals that are raised for meat need great sums of water for the

nourishment and grains they need for them to develop and to keep them alive and often

their waste will end up in groundwater, streams, creeks, lakes, and rivers.

Finally, our last two ideas to help reduce water pollution go together.

CUT BACK ON BLEACHES AND DETERGENTS

Be safe and frugal. Do not add two cups of bleach in your washing machine when the

instructions only call for one cup. Whenever possible, buy safer detergents, soaps, and

dishwashing liquids. While these are often more expensive, you will be helping the

environment and also doing a great service by using less harmful alternatives.

Source – stop global destruction

Intresting facts-

Globally, 70 percent of industrial waste is dumped directly into water.

Globally, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water and 2.4 billion people do
not have proper sanitation.

Even in the United States, which unlike developing countries regulates industrial discharges
and the human and solid waste flows, 40 percent of the rivers and 46 percent of the
lakes are polluted to the extent that they are too unhealthy for swimming, fishing or
aquatic life.
Solution to treat Polluted water to make it pure.
Working model of a Waste Water Treatment plant

Material Required – Gravel, sand, charcoal, fabric, container.

Working – Waste water from factories must be treated before disposing. If this waste water
is purified using water treatment plant then the river water can be prevented from
polluting.

If waste water from industries is passed through such filters having Gravel, Sand,
Charcoal and cloth it is purified and can avoid pollution of river water.

Gravel is used to filter out large sediments, like leaves or insects, whereas Sand is
used to remove fine impurities. Finally, the activated charcoal removes contaminants and
impurities through chemical absorption.

This can help us to have pure water in our rivers for drinking and domestic use .
WATER POLLUTION
& It’s SOLUTION!

WATER POLLUTION
& It’s SOLUTION!

WATER POLLUTION
& It’s SOLUTION!

WATER POLLUTION
& It’s SOLUTION!