Understanding The Impact: Biological Water Pollution Explained

Biological pollutants are microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths) that are harmful to humans and other forms of life. Infectious diseases caused by biological pollutants, such as typhoid and cholera, are the most common and widespread public health risks associated with drinking water. Pathogenic microorganisms, such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae, are examples of biological pollutants.

Pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae

Pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae are bacteria that can cause serious illness and death in humans. These pathogens are examples of biological water pollution because they can enter water supplies through contaminated river water and raw sewage and cause disease in humans and animals.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning and typhoid fever. It can be found in raw or undercooked meat, poultry, raw or unpasteurized milk, and eggs. When these foods are contaminated with Salmonella and then prepared and served without proper sanitation, the bacteria can spread to the water supply and cause illness in humans.

Shigella is a bacterium that can cause shigellosis, also known as bacillary dysentery. It is spread through contaminated water and food and can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Vibrio cholerae is a bacterium that can cause cholera, a severe and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal disease. It is spread through contaminated water and food and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.

These pathogens are just a few examples of biological water pollution and the serious health risks they pose. It is important to treat water supplies to remove these contaminants and protect public health.

Viruses and parasites

Pathogenic microorganisms – such as Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, viruses, parasites, etc. – are examples of biological water pollution.

Infectious diseases caused by biological pollutants, such as typhoid and cholera, are the most common and widespread public health risks associated with drinking water. Microorganisms may get into water with dust from the air as rain falls, and when water passes through soil which is polluted with human and animal wastes. The contamination of water supplies with raw sewage (human and domestic wastes generated from residential areas) is the most common route for biological pollutants to enter water.

When contaminated river water moves downstream, it is possible that any pollutant will be diluted as more water flows in and so increases the total volume of water in the river. Physical contaminants primarily impact the physical appearance or other physical properties of water. Examples of physical contaminants are sediment or organic material suspended in the water of lakes, rivers and streams from soil erosion. Chemical contaminants are elements or compounds. These contaminants may be naturally occurring or man-made. Examples of chemical contaminants include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, metals, toxins produced by bacteria, and human or animal drugs.

Biological contaminants are organisms in water. They are also referred to as microbes or microbiological contaminants. Examples of biological or microbial contaminants include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites. Radiological contaminants are chemical elements with an unbalanced number of protons and neutrons resulting in unstable atoms that can emit ionizing radiation.

Bacteria and protozoa

Biological pollutants are microorganisms that are harmful to humans and other forms of life. Infectious diseases caused by biological pollutants, such as typhoid and cholera, are the most common and widespread public health risks associated with drinking water. Microorganisms may get into water with dust from the air as rain falls, and when water passes through soil which is polluted with human and animal wastes. The contamination of water supplies with raw sewage (human and domestic wastes generated from residential areas) is the most common route for biological pollutants to enter water. When contaminated river water moves downstream it is possible that any pollutant will be diluted as more water flows in and so increases the total volume of water in the river.

Sewage and human/animal waste

Biological pollutants are microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths) that are harmful to humans and other forms of life. Infectious diseases caused by biological pollutants, such as typhoid and cholera, are the most common and widespread public health risks associated with drinking water. Microorganisms may get into water with dust from the air as rain falls, and when water passes through soil which is polluted with human and animal wastes.

The contamination of water supplies with raw sewage (human and domestic wastes generated from residential areas) is the most common route for biological pollutants to enter water. When contaminated river water moves downstream it is possible that any pollutant will be diluted as more water flows in and so increases the total volume of water in the river.

Pathogenic microorganisms – Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, viruses, parasites, etc. Looking at the severity of the degree of contamination, health and environmental hazards, it is necessary to decontaminate the water to an acceptable level.

Water bodies including lakes, rivers and ponds are polluted by the wastewater which is released into them due to indefinitely increasing civilization and industrialization. Consumption of this polluted water has serious adverse effects on health. Hence, sewage treatment is a need of the time.

Dust and soil erosion

When rain falls, it can carry dust from the air into the water, as well as polluted soil that has been contaminated with human and animal wastes. This can lead to biological water pollution, which is caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae.

The contamination of water supplies with raw sewage is the most common route for biological pollutants to enter water. When contaminated river water moves downstream, it is possible that any pollutant will be diluted as more water flows in and so increases the total volume of water in the river.

To prevent dust and soil erosion, it is important to implement measures such as using barriers or planting trees to reduce the impact of erosion. Additionally, sewage treatment can help to reduce the amount of biological pollutants in water supplies.

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