Industries' Water Pollution: Causes And Effects

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. Industrial activities are a major contributor to this problem, with a range of harmful substances being released into water bodies. From oil spills and chemical pollutants to heavy metals and agricultural runoff, the impact of industries on water pollution is far-reaching. This paragraph will explore the ways in which industries cause water pollution and the subsequent effects on our planet and its inhabitants.

Industrial waste

In the United States, industries have dumped about 600 million pounds of toxic substances, including ammonia and nitrates, into rivers. Oil refineries, chemical and plastics manufacturers, and fertilizer plants are among the biggest culprits. U.S. oil refineries discharge nearly half a billion gallons of wastewater into waterways every day, including heavy metals, oils and greases, and industrial salts. In 2021, refineries released 60,000 pounds of selenium, causing mutations in fish, and nearly 16 million pounds of nitrogen, leading to algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" devoid of life.

Chemical companies are responsible for releasing the most contaminants, according to EPA documents. Utilities, plastics and rubber manufacturers, mining companies, and petroleum and coal producers are also among the top polluters. For example, the now-defunct Diamond Alkali Co. in New Jersey polluted the Passaic River, a drinking water source for millions, with chemicals used to make Agent Orange. Similarly, coal ash from a Northern Indiana Public Service Corp. (NIPSCO) coal-fired power plant contaminated groundwater in Pines, Indiana, with arsenic and boron.

In Europe, industrial releases of pollutants to water bodies declined overall between 2010 and 2022, with a significant decrease in heavy metal emissions until 2016. However, data gaps make it challenging to fully assess the contribution of industries to water pollution in Europe. Legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) aim to protect water bodies from industrial emissions and support industrial growth while reducing emissions.

Oil spills

The transportation and transfer of oil increase the risk of oil spills. Up to 15 transfers may be required to transport oil from its source to its use, between ocean tankers, pipelines, trains, and tanker trucks. As the number of transfers increases, so does the risk of spilling oil. Accidents involving tankers, barges, pipelines, refineries, drilling rigs, and storage facilities are the most common cause of oil spills, but recreational boats can also release oil into the water or in marinas. Even small spills, such as those that occur during ship refueling, can be damaging, especially in sensitive environments like beaches, mangroves, and wetlands.

Oil pollution is not always the result of human activity, as oil can also seep into the water from the ocean floor or from eroding sedimentary rocks. However, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 million tonnes of oil are released into the sea each year due to human activity, with the total amount varying annually between 470,000 and 8.4 million tonnes.

The impact of oil spills can be long-lasting and devastating. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, it was discovered that the use of high-pressure, hot-water hoses to clean up beaches caused more damage than the oil alone. As a result, new legislation was enacted, including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which established that those responsible for oil spills could be held accountable for paying for cleanup and restoration.

Sewage and wastewater

The impact of sewage pollution on water quality is far-reaching. In the UK, for example, only 14% of rivers are considered to have 'good' ecological status, and none reach good chemical status. Sewage pollution has been linked to the destruction of delicate ecosystems, the death of wildlife, and risks to human health, including the potential for contracting harmful illnesses and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Wastewater, on the other hand, refers to used water from sinks, showers, and toilets, as well as from commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. It also includes stormwater runoff, which occurs when rainfall carries pollutants such as road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris into waterways. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without proper treatment or reuse, and this figure is even higher in least-developed countries.

The release of untreated wastewater can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. It introduces chemicals and heavy metals that are toxic to aquatic life, reducing their lifespan and ability to reproduce. These contaminants can also accumulate in larger fish, such as tuna, resulting in high quantities of toxins that can be harmful to humans who consume them. Additionally, wastewater can contribute to nutrient pollution, particularly from excess nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water and create "dead zones" devoid of life.

To address sewage and wastewater pollution, effective treatment systems are essential. Treatment facilities aim to remove pollutants and reduce the environmental impact of wastewater before discharging it back into waterways. However, aging infrastructure and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems can lead to the release of untreated wastewater, exacerbating the problem. Implementing measures such as green chemistry, eco-audits, and exploring ways to reuse treated wastewater can also help reduce the impact of sewage and wastewater pollution on our precious water sources.

Heavy metals

Industrial wastewater, containing hazardous chemicals and heavy metal ions, is released directly into rivers, lakes, and ponds, contaminating these water sources. This is particularly prevalent in urban areas situated along rivers, where industrial effluents are discharged into the water, causing alarming levels of heavy metal contamination. Industries such as distilleries, tanneries, pulp and paper, textiles, food processing, iron and steel, battery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear industries, are responsible for high levels of heavy metal pollution in water.

The proliferation of industrial development and the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture have resulted in an increase in toxic heavy metal contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. These contaminants are carried by rainwater runoff, industrial wastewater, urban drainage networks, and stormwater runoff management systems, leading to decreased water quality. Heavy metals, such as chromium (Cr VI), cadmium (Cd II), lead (Pb II), arsenic (As V and III), mercury (Hg II), nickel (Ni II), and copper (Cu II), pose significant threats to human health and the environment.

The presence of these heavy metals in water sources can cause several adverse health effects, including kidney damage, liver dysfunction, skin cancer, neurological issues, and reproductive disorders. They accumulate in the food chain, especially in fish, and can ultimately reach humans, causing chronic and acute toxicity. Additionally, heavy metals can lead to environmental concerns, such as the decline of marine life, including mollusks, marine birds, and other aquatic organisms.

To address the issue of heavy metal pollution, various strategies have been developed, including physical, biological, and chemical methods. These methods aim to reduce metal concentrations, prevent further pollution, and restore damaged ecosystems. However, the high costs and generation of secondary pollutants during treatment pose challenges in implementing these remediation techniques.

Dioxins

Although dioxins are no longer produced or used commercially in the United States, they may still be by-products of other processes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other organizations have been working to reduce dioxin levels and their release into the environment. While environmental levels of dioxins have decreased in the last 30 years, they are extremely persistent compounds and break down very slowly. Even if all human-generated dioxins were eliminated, low levels of naturally produced dioxins from sources such as volcanoes and forest fires would remain.

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