Brian Barton
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by pollutants, including toxic waste, chemicals, petroleum, and disease-causing microorganisms. It is the second most prevalent type of environmental pollution, after air pollution. Water pollution affects both humans and aquatic life, and it occurs when harmful substances contaminate a body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic. The two main types of water pollution are surface water pollution and groundwater pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Sources | Sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban runoff including stormwater |
| Human Impact | 80% of the world's diseases and 50% of the world's child deaths can be attributed to poor drinking water quality |
| Water Pollutants | Chemicals, bacteria, parasites, plastic, trash, heavy metals, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, microorganisms, sediments, and protozoa |
| Type of Contamination | Point source and non-point source |
What You'll Learn
Groundwater pollution
Groundwater is a vital resource, providing drinking water for millions of people and being used for irrigation. However, it is susceptible to pollution from various human-induced and natural sources. Groundwater pollution occurs when contaminants find their way into the groundwater, rendering it unsafe and unfit for human and wildlife consumption. This can happen through natural filtration or human activities such as industrial discharges, urban activities, agriculture, and the improper disposal of waste.
One significant source of groundwater pollution is the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture. These chemicals can seep into the groundwater, causing contamination. Similarly, untreated waste from septic tanks and leaky landfills can introduce bacteria, viruses, and toxic chemicals into the groundwater, leading to serious health issues such as hepatitis and dysentery, and even certain types of cancer.
Industrial activities also play a role in groundwater pollution. Careless practices can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene, into the environment, contaminating groundwater sources. Additionally, storage tanks containing gasoline, oil, and chemicals can corrode and leak over time, allowing these contaminants to reach the groundwater.
Natural processes can also contribute to groundwater pollution. For example, high levels of naturally occurring fluoride in groundwater can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis. Furthermore, the lack of proper sanitation measures and improperly placed wells can result in drinking water contaminated with pathogens carried in faeces and urine, leading to diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhoea.
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Surface water pollution
One significant source of surface water pollution is agricultural activities. The agricultural industry is the largest consumer of freshwater resources, using around 70% of the Earth's surface water. However, it is also a major contributor to water pollution. Agricultural runoff, which includes fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste, can contaminate surface waters during rainfall or irrigation. These substances carry pathogens and nutrients that promote the growth of harmful algae, leading to eutrophic "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to oxygen depletion.
Another source of surface water pollution is sewage and wastewater. Sewage leaks and waste products from farms can leak into surface waters, introducing disease-causing microorganisms and toxic substances. Additionally, urban stormwater runoff contributes to surface water pollution by carrying pollutants such as road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris into nearby water bodies.
Industrial activities also play a role in surface water pollution. Releases of industrial waste, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals can contaminate surface waters, posing risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, pharmaceutical industries contribute to pharmaceutical pollution in water bodies, as not all pharmaceutical products are fully metabolized by humans or animals, leading to unmetabolized residues entering the aquatic environment through wastewater.
Addressing surface water pollution requires a comprehensive understanding of the sources and types of pollutants involved. By identifying point sources and nonpoint sources of pollution, as well as the specific water bodies affected, we can implement effective measures to protect and restore the quality of our valuable surface water resources.
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Microbiological pollution
One of the most well-known examples of microbiological pollution is the River Ganges in India, which has high levels of fecal bacteria, reaching up to 31 million per 100 milliliters. This pollution poses a significant risk to human health, as people who consume contaminated water can suffer from gastrointestinal disorders and water-borne infections.
The detection and monitoring of microbial contamination in water resources are crucial to ensuring safe drinking water. Turbidity measurements and turbidimetry are commonly used to assess the risk of microbiological contamination in drinking water plants. However, these methods have limitations due to interference from colloids and environmental factors. More advanced techniques, such as molecular (PCR-based) and enzymatic methods, are also employed to detect specific indicators of fecal contamination, such as E. coli and Clostridium perfringens.
The presence of microorganisms in water can also be assessed through bacteriological analysis, which helps determine the potability and suitability of water for different purposes. The multiple tube fermentation technique, for example, detects the presence of coliform bacteria by fermenting lactose sugar and observing the production of acid and gas.
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Transboundary pollution
Water pollution is a severe issue that jeopardizes human health worldwide. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate bodies of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans and the environment. Transboundary pollution is a specific type of water pollution that occurs when contaminated water from one country spills into the waters of another. This can happen due to natural disasters, such as oil spills, or the gradual downstream flow of industrial, agricultural, or municipal discharge.
The impact of transboundary pollution is far-reaching. It affects both upstream and downstream nations, highlighting the interconnected nature of water systems. This type of pollution does not respect political boundaries, underscoring the need for international cooperation in addressing water-related challenges. Unfortunately, many countries lack the necessary arrangements for effectively sharing and managing transboundary waters. According to UN-Water, as of 2024, at least 20 countries have no agreements in place for sharing transboundary waters.
To address transboundary pollution, a comprehensive "source-to-sea" approach is essential. This involves strengthening legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Water Convention, to facilitate global cooperation. Improving monitoring systems and data sharing between governments is also crucial for effective transboundary water management. Additionally, economic integration across borders is vital. Sectors that heavily depend on water, such as agriculture, industry, energy, and water supply and sanitation, need to cooperate on a supranational level to ensure sustainable management of shared water resources.
In conclusion, transboundary pollution is a pressing issue that requires international collaboration and coordinated action. By strengthening legal frameworks, improving data sharing, and promoting economic integration, we can better address the challenges posed by transboundary pollution and work towards ensuring the sustainable and equitable management of our shared water resources.
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Plastic pollution
The consequences of plastic pollution are severe, with millions of animals killed by plastics every year, and nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, known to be affected. Animals are killed through entanglement or starvation, with seals, whales, turtles, and other animals strangled by abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings. Plastic waste can also be mistaken for food by animals, and microplastics have been found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood.
In addition to the environmental and health risks, plastic pollution also has economic implications. Contaminated water harms the economy of countries and regions, with a reduction in the biological demand for oxygen reducing the GDP of affected regions by a third.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution is the contamination of water by harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, that degrade water quality and render it toxic or unsafe for human use.
Water pollution has various sources, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, oil spills, and plastic waste.
Water pollution can introduce toxins into the food chain, such as through contaminated seafood or livestock farming, leading to the spread of diseases like cholera, hepatitis A, and dysentery.
Water pollution disrupts aquatic ecosystems, killing marine life and creating “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen. It also affects biodiversity, as all species in an ecosystem rely on each other to survive.
Water pollution has negative impacts on sectors such as commercial fishing, recreational businesses, and tourism. It can also increase water treatment costs, affecting water affordability, and hinder social development, particularly in rural areas with limited access to clean water.
