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The pollution of water bodies such as lakes, seas, rivers, oceans, as well as groundwater. This type of pollution occurs when pollutants reach bodies of water, without any treatment. Waste from factories, homes and other structures gets into the water bodies and hence, water gets contaminated.
Water pollution causes problems for the species as well as ecosystems. It affects the growth of plants and organisms living in the water. The color of the contaminated water is usually green or brown but normally water is colorless.
Agriculture is one of the major sources of water pollution. The fertilizers given to the crops for better growth are washed into rivers and lakes, which in turn pollutes the water.
When harmful impurities or pollutants are released into the water bodies, it is known as water pollution.
Pollutants degrade the quality of water and make it unfit for consumption.
Many aquatic animals die due to the presence of toxins in the water.
Industries and factory effluents are the major cause of release of water pollution.
Human activities such as agriculture use synthetic products like fertilizers and pesticides causing serious water pollution from rain to underground water.
If the polluted water is consumed, it may cause diseases like diarrhea, cholera, jaundice and typhoid.
Washing and bathing in the water bodies also cause water pollution.
The quality of drinking water should be checked from time to time to prevent epidemics.
Necessary steps must be implemented to stop or prevent water pollution.
Proper disposal of waste should be done.
Water is a precious resource, and life would be impossible on earth without it. That’s why every single drop of water must be taken care of. Water is required in almost all our household chores as well as for other commercial purposes. We need water for drinking, cooking, washing, fishing, irrigation, etc.
Even after knowing the importance of water, we still waste it and do not make wise use of it. Water is used recklessly without even thinking. Garbage and industrial waste from homes and industries are dumped in oceans and rivers resulting in the pollution of water. Other toxic pollutants that run out of factories and pesticides from agricultural practices also get discharged into the water causing further pollution in water.
The poor system of water supply and interaction of the water supply line with sewage also degrade the quality of water and thus make it unfit for drinking. Contaminated water can cause serious threats to the existence of humans as well as animals.
Developed countries occasionally suffer from the problem of water pollution. Water pollution is caused mainly due to the unnecessary use of pesticides in order to protect the agricultural harvest. The problem of water pollution in these countries is not because of the poor garbage management system like underdeveloped countries but, it is due to the reckless use of chemicals and toxic substances which is far more dangerous compared to underdeveloped countries.
Both developed as well as underdeveloped countries are facing the same problem. Strict laws should be implemented in order to stop the dumping of garbage or any other toxic waste in the water. Also, the government must adopt water conservation techniques so that misuse of water can be avoided.
We all know that our society is facing a severe water crisis, therefore we need to find an immediate solution. Life originated in water and is unimaginable without it. Water in its pure form is colorless, tasteless and odorless. But high levels of contamination have deteriorated the quality of pure water.
Water pollution arises due to contamination such as the discharge of pollutants like domestic, biological, industrial, chemical, physical and so on. Water pollution consists of physical or chemical change in its property that has an adverse effect on the health of humans as well as other organisms. At present, it has become a cause of global concern but the level of water pollution differs from one country to the other and also differs from region to region.
Based on the source of contaminant, it can be of several types, such as:
Pesticide Pollution
Bacterial Pollution
Metallic Pollution
Thermal Pollution
Radioactive Pollution
Domestic waste usually includes organic wastes like food leftovers, vegetable peels, domestic garbage, cloth, toiletries and runoff of human excreta due to bathing, household cleaning, laundering and food processing. Domestic sewage contains organic wastes when these are discharged into water bodies and increases the level of BOD. Biological oxygen demand is the amount of oxygen needed for the decomposition of organic wastes present in the water bodies. Increased level of BOD causes a serious threat to the lives of aquatic animals.
Pesticides are the chemical compounds required for pest control. The runoff of the agricultural fields when discharged in water results in pesticide pollution of various water bodies like streams, rivers and lakes. Pesticides have an adverse effect on the lives of aquatic organisms, which include fishes and even insects.
These chemical compounds are usually very stable and disintegrate partially to form several toxic compounds in the environment. Pesticides which are used to kill insects are either organic phosphorus compounds such as Malathion or chlorinated hydrocarbons such as Endrin, DDT and Aldrin. These compounds are very stable and lead to accumulation in the tissues of aquatic chemicals. The level of accumulation is found more in the higher trophic levels.
Industries are responsible for creating several organic and inorganic wastes, which eventually enter into the water bodies and pollute them. When the aquatic environment becomes polluted and toxic, it not only affects the aquatic animals but also gets accumulated at the bottom of the water bodies and finally enters into the bodies of the aquatic organisms. Objects, such as metals, tires, cans, plastic materials and polythene further accumulate in the water and pollute it.
Therefore serious measures should be followed to decrease the levels of contamination in water bodies. Also, we need to find solutions to eradicate this problem by
1. Implementing laws and penalties on factories and industries regarding their treatment and waste management.
2. By educating people and spreading awareness about the adverse effects of Water Pollution.
3. Treatment of waste products before disposing of them in water bodies helps reduce water pollution. Agriculture and other industries can reuse this wastewater by decreasing its toxic contents.
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