How Humans Pollute Fresh Water And Affect Nature

Water pollution is a serious issue that affects freshwater sources such as lakes, rivers, and streams, and it occurs when harmful substances contaminate these water bodies. This contamination can come from a variety of sources, including factories, farms, and even our own homes. For example, factories may dump wastewater containing chemicals and pollutants into rivers, while farms contribute pesticides and fertilizers that wash into nearby water bodies during rain or storms. Additionally, oil spills and leaks, as well as sewage and trash, are significant causes of water pollution. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and the economy, making it crucial for us to address this issue and protect our precious freshwater resources.

Oil spills and leaks

Oil can also get into water in other ways, like through surface runoff from roads, parking lots, and industrial operations. This is called "oil pollution." Oil pollution includes spills from large tankers but also smaller sources like fuel depots, vehicles, and even lawnmowers. All of these sources of oil can be washed down storm drains and eventually reach freshwater systems. For example, the average oil change uses almost five litres of oil, which can contaminate nearly 4 million litres of freshwater. That's a lot of water!

To prevent oil spills, ships and tankers now have to use special equipment, like double hulls, which gives the ship an extra protective barrier. This has helped reduce the number of oil spills. It is also important to properly dispose of oil and not pour it down drains, as it can have a harmful impact on the environment and the creatures that live in it.

Industrial waste

Industries account for about 20% of the fresh water withdrawn worldwide. This water is used in production and becomes polluted. In some cases, it is cleaned by industrial wastewater recycling systems and is sometimes reused or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. However, in some parts of the world, it is discharged untreated into nearby public waters.

Factories are often located near rivers, lakes, and seas, and it is not uncommon for them to dump their used wastewater into these water bodies. This wastewater can be full of pollutants, chemicals, and other harmful substances. For example, factories use a lot of water to process chemicals and keep engines cool, and this water, when dumped, can be extremely harmful to the fish and animals that need the water to survive.

The toxic chemicals in industrial waste can make water unsafe for human consumption and also cause the temperature in freshwater systems to change, making them dangerous for many water-dwelling organisms. For instance, the discharge of cooling water from power plants into rivers can be up to 15 °C (27 °F) warmer than the naturally occurring water, causing what is called thermal pollution.

In addition, many hazardous substances from industry are difficult to biodegrade and therefore accumulate in water sediments. These pollutants can get into the groundwater and, thus, into the drinking water. Some of the harmful substances found in industrial waste include heavy metals, arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium, and volatile organic chemicals.

Sewage and wastewater

Wastewater from industrial plants and factories is another major source of pollution. These industries produce a lot of waste, which often includes harmful elements such as lead, sulphur, and mercury. This waste is sometimes dumped directly into rivers or the ocean, polluting the water and making it unsafe for human consumption. It can also change the temperature of the water, making it dangerous for the organisms that live there.

Wastewater from households is also a problem, as it is often released into the sea with fresh water. This can introduce harmful bacteria and chemicals into the water, as well as substances like grease and oil, which do not mix with water and can cause further pollution.

Agricultural wastewater is another significant source of pollution. Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms wash into waterways when it rains, and these nutrients and pathogens can cause algal blooms, which are harmful to people and wildlife.

All of these sources of sewage and wastewater pollution can have negative effects on the environment, economy, and human health. It is important for people of all ages, especially children, to be aware of these issues and take steps to prevent water pollution.

Agricultural pollution

Water pollution is when waste, chemicals, or other particles make a body of water (like rivers, oceans, and lakes) unsafe for the animals and fish that need it to survive. Water pollution can also impact nature's water cycle.

Farmers use pesticides and fertilizers to protect their crops from insects and bacteria. While these chemicals can be helpful for farmers, they can also be harmful to the environment if they are not used properly.

Another way that agricultural pollution can occur is through organic waste, such as untreated farm manure. Organic waste can cause harmful microorganisms to enter the water, which can make people and animals very sick.

It is important to be careful with chemicals and waste on farms so that they do not pollute nearby water sources and harm the environment.

Plastic and littering

Plastic is a very useful material. For example, plastic water bottles can bring clean drinking water to people who don’t have it, and plastic straws can help people with disabilities drink. The problem is that many people use a lot of plastic and then throw it away. This kind of plastic is called "single-use plastic". It includes things like grocery bags, drink bottles, straws, food wrappers, and plastic packaging around toys. Single-use plastic makes up more than 40% of all plastic trash.

Plastic left on the ground as litter often blows into creeks and rivers, and eventually ends up in the ocean. Plastic waste floating in the water can look a lot like food to marine animals. Over 700 species of marine animals have been reported to have eaten or been entangled in plastic. Plastic is harmful to marine life because it is made of chemicals and is toxic. It can make animals sick or even kill them. When plastic decomposes, it breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics. It is impossible to get rid of microplastics because they are too tiny to be seen by the human eye, but they are still harmful.

Scientists think that 8.8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. If we keep producing plastic at the current rate, it is estimated that ocean plastic pollution will triple by 2040 or 2050. However, if we take action to reduce plastic litter and start investing in new, more sustainable solutions, the amount could be cut by 80%. We can help by using less single-use plastic.

Frequently asked questions