Meghan Hodges
Water pollution is caused by the presence of harmful substances or contaminants in water bodies, including surface water, ocean water, and groundwater. These contaminants can be differentiated by the type of water source that is polluted or the nature of the pollutant (chemical, microbiological, etc.). The most common water pollution processes are sewage and wastewater treatment, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste. Other processes include stormwater runoff, marine dumping, and offshore oil spills. Water pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, animal health, and the environment, including the destruction of biodiversity, contamination of the food chain, and negative impacts on sectors such as commercial fishing, recreational businesses, and tourism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main water pollutants | Bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, faecal waste, radioactive substances, microplastics, PFAS, lead, mercury, chromium, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor |
| Sources of water pollution | Sewage treatment plants, industrial sites, agricultural sites, mines, manufacturing plants, marine dumping, offshore oil spills, stormwater runoff, domestic sewage, accidental oil spills, car leaks, animal waste |
| Effects of water pollution | Destruction of biodiversity, contamination of the food chain, negative impact on human health, negative impact on animal health, negative impact on the environment, negative impact on the economy |
| Preventing water pollution | Supporting policies like the Clean Water Act, regulations for modern-day challenges, removing lead pipes, investing in stormwater-abating green infrastructure, picking up after pets, maintaining cars, using reed beds to filter contaminated groundwater |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial waste
The paper and pulp industry releases suspended solids and highly organic materials as wastewater, while the petrochemical industry releases poorly biodegradable refractory pollutants like petroleum hydrocarbons, sulfides, aniline, naphthalenic acid, organochlorines, olefins, nitrobenzene, alkanes, and chloroalkanes. Mining operations, meanwhile, generate tailings and waste rock, as well as wastewater discharges and air emissions, which can affect surface and groundwater quality, drinking water supplies, and air quality. Shale gas extraction, in particular, produces large volumes of wastewater that can contain high concentrations of dissolved solids (salts), naturally occurring radionuclides, metals, and other pollutants used in drilling.
To comply with existing laws, any organic and inorganic pollutants in water used for industrial production must be managed. Organic matter, metals, and other contaminants must be removed before the water can be safely discharged back into the environment or reused in plant operations.
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Sewage and wastewater treatment
The goal of sewage and wastewater treatment is to remove as many suspended solids and other contaminants as possible before discharging the treated water, called effluent, back into the environment or reusing it. This process helps reduce the amount of pollutants in wastewater to a level that nature can handle, preventing water pollution and protecting water sources.
There are two main types of sewage and wastewater treatment systems: decentralized (or on-site) systems and centralized systems. Decentralized systems treat sewage close to where it is created, such as in septic tanks or on-site sewage facilities. Centralized systems, on the other hand, collect and transport sewage through a network of pipes and pump stations to a municipal treatment plant. This type of system is often found in cities with combined sewer systems, where stormwater runoff and sewage are carried together to a sewage treatment plant.
Sewage treatment typically involves primary and secondary treatment stages, with advanced treatment options incorporating a tertiary treatment stage. Primary treatment removes about 60% of suspended solids and involves aerating the wastewater to restore oxygen levels. Secondary treatment removes more than 90% of suspended solids. Tertiary treatment includes polishing processes and nutrient removal.
While sewage and wastewater treatment plants have been effective in managing pollution, they face challenges from emerging contaminants such as microplastics, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals, which can pass through untreated or undertreated and pose risks to human health and the environment. Upgrading and investing in wastewater treatment infrastructure is crucial to addressing these evolving challenges and ensuring the protection of our water resources.
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Agricultural runoff
Fertilizers and manure used in agriculture contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can run off from fields during rainfall. These nutrients enter streams, rivers, and eventually the ocean, causing blooms of cyanobacteria or algae. The accumulation of cyanobacteria, with few natural predators, leads to microbial decomposition that consumes oxygen in the water, creating hypoxic conditions detrimental to aquatic life. This process, known as eutrophication, results in "'dead zones" where marine life cannot survive.
The National Water Quality Assessment in the United States reveals that agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality degradation in rivers and streams, the third leading source for lakes, and the second-largest source of impairments to wetlands. The excessive use of fertilizers and manure contributes to increased nutrient levels in water bodies, leading to algal blooms and hypoxic conditions.
Additionally, agricultural runoff carries bacteria from livestock and poultry manure, which can contaminate drinking water supplies and affect recreational activities. The pollutants from agricultural operations can infiltrate groundwater, further degrading sources of drinking water. To address these issues, initiatives like the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) in the United States aim to help farmers minimize the impact of agricultural runoff on water quality.
The impact of agricultural runoff on water pollution varies depending on factors such as the type of farming operation, landscape conditions, soils, climate, and farm management practices. By adopting sustainable practices and technologies, such as pretreatment of wastewater, and implementing initiatives, the negative effects of agricultural runoff on water quality can be mitigated.
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Atmospheric deposition
The burning of fossil fuels, industrial activities, and agricultural processes release sulphur, nitrogen compounds, and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These compounds then mix with water particles, forming a weak acid. As a result, when it rains, the water becomes polluted with these acidic compounds, leading to acid rain.
The deposition of high amounts of acidifying air pollutants, such as sulphur, nitrogen, and ammonia, can lead to the acidification of forest soils and surface waters. This has significant ecological consequences, as it affects the chemistry and biology of lakes, for example, by increasing the leaching of aluminium. Additionally, atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen can contribute to eutrophication, creating "dead zones" with low oxygen levels and excessive algal blooms, which can be harmful to both people and wildlife.
To address the issue of atmospheric deposition, it is crucial to monitor and regulate air pollution levels. By understanding the trends and sources of atmospheric deposition through deposition monitoring, effective clean air policies can be implemented to mitigate its impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
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Oil spills
The effects of oil spills on the environment can be devastating. Oil spills can harm sea creatures, ruin beaches, and make seafood unsafe to eat. Oil on the surface of the water prevents sunlight from penetrating, reducing the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. This can suffocate fish and harm other aquatic life. Oil also damages the insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur, causing birds and marine mammals to suffer from hypothermia. Ingesting oil can be toxic to animals, and the damage to their habitats can slow the long-term recovery of animal populations.
Cleanup activities after an oil spill can be challenging, and it is often impossible to remove 100% of the spilled oil. In some cases, the cleanup methods can cause additional harm to the environment. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 established that those responsible for oil spills can be held accountable for the cleanup and restoration costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances or contaminants are present in water bodies, including surface water, ocean water, and groundwater.
Water pollution can be caused by natural sources, such as mercury filtering from the Earth's crust. However, the most common cause of poor-quality water is human activity, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, and oil spills.
Water pollution can have a variety of negative consequences on human, animal, and environmental health. It can lead to the destruction of biodiversity, contamination of the food chain, and economic impacts such as reduced GDP in affected regions.
To prevent water pollution, individuals can properly dispose of waste, maintain their vehicles, and support policies and regulations that protect water sources.
