Bronte Wells
Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects one in three people worldwide, according to the United Nations. It is caused by the release of substances such as chemicals, oil, sewage, waste, and plastics into water sources, degrading water quality and harming human health, the environment, and the economy. While human activities are the primary contributors to water pollution, natural factors also play a role. This includes natural releases of oil from the ocean floor through fractures and the filtering of mercury from the Earth's crust, which can contaminate water bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural Causes of Water Pollution | Mercury filters from the Earth's crust, oil seeps from the ocean floor, and natural factors like the concentration of trace elements in water quality |
| Human Causes of Water Pollution | Industrial waste, sewage, agricultural production, urban life, population growth, climate change, religious activities, improper disposal of solid waste, sand, and gravel |
| Effects of Water Pollution | Degradation of the environment, health issues, and negative economic impacts |
| Solutions to Water Pollution | Don't flush trash, pick up after pets, maintain vehicles to prevent leaks, treat wastewater before discharge |
What You'll Learn
Natural factors like mercury filtering from the Earth's crust
Water pollution is predominantly caused by human activity, such as industrial production, agriculture, and urbanization. However, natural factors also contribute to water pollution, including mercury filtering from the Earth's crust.
Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature and is known for its extremely slippery texture. It is dense, with one tablespoon weighing about half a pound. Mercury is hazardous to humans, as it emits vapors that can be inhaled and cause significant health issues. Long-term exposure to mercury through water supplies is also dangerous.
Mercury occurs naturally in the Earth's crust, alongside other metals, metalloids, and radionuclides. These trace elements can be essential for the health of living organisms in small quantities. However, some trace elements, including mercury, can be toxic and even carcinogenic in larger amounts.
Mercury from the Earth's crust can enter water sources through atmospheric deposition, where it falls to the earth in rain, snow, or dry particles. This process allows mercury to contaminate surface water, soil, and eventually, groundwater. Once deposited, microorganisms can convert inorganic mercury into methylmercury, an organic and highly toxic form. Methylmercury accumulates in fish, shellfish, and animals that consume fish, leading to potential health risks for humans who consume these contaminated organisms.
Natural deposits of mercury, mining waste, air pollution, industrial waste, and volcanic activity can also influence the levels of mercury in water. Certain states and regions, such as Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, have higher levels of mercury pollution due to coal-fired power plants. Additionally, mercury can be released through fractures in the ocean floor, known as seeps, contributing to natural water pollution.
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Oil seeps from fractures in the ocean floor
Water pollution can be caused by a combination of human activities and natural factors. While human activities like improper waste disposal, industrial production, and urbanisation have been the primary contributors to water pollution, certain natural processes can also contaminate water bodies. One such natural phenomenon is the occurrence of oil seeps from fractures in the ocean floor.
Oil seeps are areas where crude oil and natural gas escape from the Earth's crust and rise to the ocean surface. These seeps are often found in the ocean floor, where oil and gas reservoirs exist deep underground. Over time, the pressure in these reservoirs can cause the fluids to escape through fractures and cracks in the seafloor, leading to oil seeps.
The waters off Southern California, specifically near Coal Oil Point and Santa Barbara, are known for their numerous natural oil seeps. These seeps have been leaking for thousands of years and contribute about five million gallons of oil to the ocean annually. The seeps in this region are so prevalent that an oil spill occurs almost daily in Santa Barbara, providing a unique opportunity for researchers to study the behaviour of oil in the ocean.
Oil seeps can have significant environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. While natural seeps release oil slowly, allowing ecosystems to adapt, oil spills from human activities can quickly release large quantities of oil that can overwhelm and damage the environment. The oil forms large slicks on the ocean surface, which spread and drift with winds and currents. As the oil weathers, it can form tarballs and mats that can travel miles along the coast or even come ashore.
Additionally, oil is toxic to marine life, including fish, sea stars, shrimp, and seabirds. The immediate area around an oil seep can become contaminated, leading to potential harm to the local ecosystem. Despite the challenges posed by oil seeps, researchers are working to better understand and address the impacts of these natural occurrences on the ocean environment.
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Industrial production waste
Water pollution is caused by both human and natural factors. Human activities such as industrial production, climate change, and urbanisation have a direct impact on water quality. Industrial wastewater is one of the most common by-products of industrial or commercial activities. It refers to the water that has been used in the production of commercial products across nearly all industries and phases of production. Once this process water has been used, it is considered waste and must be treated before being discharged.
The nature of the contaminants present in industrial wastewater depends on the type of industry. For example, the mining industry, steel/iron production plants, power plants, and the food/beverage industry all produce wastewater. This wastewater can contain a range of pollutants, including heavy metals, oils, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial by-products. Many of these pollutants are toxic and have hazardous effects on human and aquatic life, as well as on agriculture.
The increased population has led to a rise in the demand for goods, which has, in turn, caused rapid industrialisation. This increase in industrial activity has led to more industrial waste, which causes environmental havoc by polluting water, air, and soil. The quality and quantity of wastewater generated by industries depend on the type of industry. For example, the food and beverage industry's wastewater may contain organic matter and metals, while the textile industry's wastewater may contain dyes and chemicals.
To address the issue of industrial wastewater, several treatment plants are being set up that use chemical, electrochemical, biological, and physical processes to release potable water. Additionally, with economic growth and the scarcity of clean water in mind, some industrial developers and manufacturers are adopting technologies to ensure cleaner production, reduced water consumption, and less pollution.
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Agricultural activities
Water pollution can indeed result from natural causes, and one of the significant natural sources is agricultural activities. While agriculture is essential for food production, it also contributes to water pollution through various means, which we will explore in detail.
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Sewage and wastewater treatment
Water pollution is caused by both human and natural factors. Sewage and wastewater treatment is a crucial aspect of addressing water pollution, particularly in relation to human activities. Sewage treatment is a type of wastewater treatment that aims to remove contaminants from sewage, thereby preventing water pollution and allowing for the potential reuse of treated water.
Sewage refers specifically to wastewater from households and businesses, as well as pre-treated industrial wastewater. It contains a wide range of contaminants, including physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. These can include complex organic materials, nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich compounds, pathogenic organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites), synthetic organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, microplastics, sediments, radioactive substances, oil, and heat.
The treatment of sewage is a complex process that can vary depending on the specific context and technology available. It often involves two main stages, primary and secondary treatment, while advanced treatment may also include a tertiary treatment stage. The preliminary and primary stages focus on removing rags and suspended solids, while secondary processes target suspended and dissolved organic compounds.
There are two main types of sewage treatment systems: decentralized and centralized. Decentralized systems treat sewage close to where it is created, such as on-site sewage facilities or septic tanks. In contrast, centralized systems collect and transport sewage through a network of pipes and pump stations to a municipal treatment plant. Centralized systems are further categorized into sanitary sewers, which carry only sewage, and combined sewers, which also carry stormwater.
The history of sewage treatment is worth noting, particularly in the context of industrialisation and urbanisation. In the 19th century, outbreaks of cholera in England were linked to well-water supplies contaminated with human waste. This led to the connection of water closets in larger towns to storm sewers, resulting in the emergence of surface water pollution as untreated sewage was discharged into nearby bodies of water. The construction of centralised sewage treatment plants began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, initially in the United Kingdom and the United States, to address this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution can occur naturally when mercury filters from the Earth's crust, polluting oceans, rivers, lakes, canals, and reservoirs. Groundwater can also be contaminated when rainwater falls and seeps deep into the earth, filling the cracks, crevices, and porous spaces of an aquifer. Contaminants from pesticides and fertilizers to waste leached from landfills and septic systems can make their way into an aquifer, rendering it unsafe for human use.
Water pollution is primarily caused by human activity. Industrial waste, agricultural production, and urban life have resulted in the pollution of water bodies. Oil spills, sewage, and plastic pollution are also major contributors to water pollution.
Water pollution has severe implications for human health. Unsafe water can cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera, giardia, and diarrhea, which can lead to death, especially in children. Polluted drinking water can also increase treatment costs, making it more expensive for people to access clean drinking water.
Water pollution can destroy biodiversity, deplete aquatic ecosystems, and trigger the unbridled proliferation of phytoplankton in lakes, known as eutrophication. It can also contaminate the food chain, as microplastics are often found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood.
