Brian Barton
Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of millions of people worldwide. Water is a universal solvent, meaning it can dissolve many substances, which is useful for everyday tasks but also means it is extremely susceptible to pollution. Water pollution occurs when a substance enters a body of water and degrades its quality to the point where it is harmful to humans, wildlife, or the surrounding environment. The main water pollutants include bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, faecal waste, and even radioactive substances. These pollutants can enter water bodies through oil spills, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage discharge, among other sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | Pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, solvents, mercury, arsenic, nitrate fertilizers, and more |
| Plastics | Microplastics, plastic bags, and other trash |
| Oil | Leaks and spills from tankers, ships, drilling operations, and land-based sources like factories, farms, and cities |
| Sewage | Untreated sewage can promote algae growth and eutrophication, leading to "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to lack of oxygen |
| Wastewater | Can contain harmful chemicals, bacteria, pathogens, and microorganisms even after treatment |
| Human and Animal Waste | Contains bacteria and viruses that cause the spread of diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and giardia |
| Radioactive Substances | Nuclear waste from uranium mining, nuclear power plants, military weapons, hospitals, and universities |
| Eutrophication | Accelerated by human activity and water pollution, leading to premature aging and death of bodies of water |
| Groundwater Pollution | Contaminants from pesticides, fertilizers, waste, septic systems, and landfills can render groundwater unsafe for human use for decades or even thousands of years |
| Transboundary Pollution | Contaminated water from one country spilling into the waters of another |
| Microorganisms | Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and protozoa |
| Nutrients | Excess nutrients like calcium, chloride, fluoride, magnesium, potassium, and sodium can interfere with ecosystems |
| Solid Debris | Soda cans, trash, and other solid debris that can harm and kill wildlife |
| Temperature | Changes in temperature can stress aquatic life |
What You'll Learn
Oil spills and leaks
Large oil spills are major disasters that can have long-lasting consequences for ecosystems and economies. They often occur when pipelines break, big oil tanker ships sink, or drilling operations go wrong. Oil spills can also occur on land, with oil leaks in vehicles, for example, and this oil can be washed down storm drains, eventually ending up in oceans, rivers, and lakes.
The transportation and storage of oil are subject to leakage, and oil spills can occur anywhere oil is drilled, transported, or used. Oil spills at sea are often the result of tanker accidents, which can account for a significant amount of the oil in the waters around the world. Oil can also be released from land-based sources such as factories, farms, and cities, with runoff carrying oil into water sources, especially from asphalt.
It is important to note that not all oil pollution is human-induced, as oil can seep from the ocean floor and eroding sedimentary rocks. However, human activity has accelerated the rate at which oil is released into the environment, and it is crucial to address this issue to protect our water resources and the health of millions of people worldwide.
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Industrial waste
Industrial solid waste, which can be solid, liquid, or gas held in containers, is divided into hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Hazardous waste may result from manufacturing or other industrial processes, such as mining and smelting operations, which contaminate water with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and chromium. Certain commercial products such as cleaning fluids, paints, or pesticides discarded by commercial establishments or individuals can also be defined as hazardous waste. Non-hazardous industrial wastes are those that do not meet the EPA's definition of hazardous waste and are not municipal waste.
The effects of water pollution from industrial waste are devastating to people, animals, fish, and birds. Polluted water is unsuitable for drinking, recreation, agriculture, and industry. It also diminishes the aesthetic quality of lakes and rivers, destroys aquatic life, and reduces its reproductive ability.
Technologies have been developed to address solid waste and other environmental and recycling problems. Many new technologies for the separation and recycling of fly ash, metals, plastics, glass, sands, abrasives, automobile scrap, and plating waste sludge have been created. The Ministry of Environment in each province regulates the discharges of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes from industrial sources through policies, consultations, and compliance activities.
However, it can take years, sometimes decades, to clean chemicals from polluted water. For example, dry cleaning fluids, with PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene) as a common contaminant, have contaminated groundwater supplies across the United States. As a suspected carcinogen, PCE must be removed from water, and states have set maximum contaminant levels for PCE in public water supplies.
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Microplastics
To address the issue of microplastics in water, it is important to reduce the use of single-use plastics and properly dispose of plastic waste. Additionally, researchers are working on developing filters that can reduce plastic pollution in laundry wastewater and improving methods for microplastics removal from water at a large scale.
While the effects of microplastics on human health are not yet fully understood, their presence in our water systems underscores the importance of addressing plastic pollution and its potential impact on the environment and human well-being.
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Sewage and wastewater
Wastewater from sinks, showers, and toilets, known as sewage, contains various contaminants. These include metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and stormwater runoff, which occurs when rainfall washes road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris into waterways. Inadequate wastewater treatment systems can further exacerbate the problem, with more than 80% of the world's sewage released into seas and rivers without proper treatment. This untreated sewage can contain high levels of pathogens, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals, posing risks to both the environment and human health.
The impact of sewage and wastewater pollution extends beyond the immediate aquatic environment. These pollutants can also affect biodiversity and contribute to climate change. Additionally, the release of untreated sewage into water bodies can have economic consequences, impacting industries such as tourism and fisheries.
To address the issue of sewage and wastewater pollution, it is crucial to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure and promote sustainable practices. This includes reducing the use of toxic chemicals, properly disposing of waste, and implementing innovative technologies for treating and reusing wastewater. By viewing sewage and wastewater as valuable resources rather than solely as pollutants, we can move towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
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Agricultural runoff
Agricultural activities can contaminate water with various pollutants, including pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure. These substances contain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can stimulate algal blooms in water bodies. This excessive growth of algae can lead to hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive. Additionally, the decomposition of algae by microorganisms further reduces oxygen levels in the water, affecting the survival of oxygen-dependent organisms.
The use of pesticides in agriculture is another concern. These toxic chemicals have serious side effects, including endocrine (hormone) and neurological disorders and even cancer. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides due to their developing bodies. Some pesticides, like chlorpyrifos, have been linked to developmental delays and lower IQs.
Livestock and poultry production also play a role in agricultural runoff. In the United States, these animals generate nearly 1.4 billion tons of manure annually, which is often spread on land untreated. When excess manure is applied beyond the land's absorption rate, it can lead to runoff into water sources. Manure contains bacteria, nutrients, and phosphorus, which can contaminate waterways and affect drinking water supplies.
To address these issues, farmers can adopt best management practices (BMPs) and regenerative agriculture strategies. This includes following fertilizer guidelines, improving soil health through cover crops, and planting streamside buffer crops to protect water quality. Additionally, proper manure management and reducing the use of pesticides can help mitigate the impacts of agricultural runoff on water sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution is largely caused by human activity. Industries and industrial sites are a major contributor, with many industrial sites producing waste in the form of toxic chemicals and pollutants. Oil spills and leaks are also a significant cause of water pollution.
While tanker spills are a cause of oil pollution, they only account for about 10% of the oil in waters worldwide. The majority of oil pollution comes from land-based sources such as factories, farms, and cities. Oil is also released from under the ocean floor through fractures known as seeps.
Human activities such as farming, deforestation, and sewage contribute to water pollution. Farmers use chemicals and pesticides to protect their crops, which can end up in bodies of water. Felling forests can generate organic residue, which becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Sewage can promote algae growth, which can result in "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen.
Water pollution can have negative impacts on health, the environment, and the economy. Polluted water can cause diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and poliomyelitis, killing hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year. It can also harm ecosystems by disrupting the relationships between species. Economically, water pollution can impact sectors such as commercial fishing, recreational businesses, and tourism.
To prevent water pollution, it is important to reduce CO2 emissions, limit the use of chemical pesticides and nutrients on crops, and properly treat and reuse wastewater. Reducing the use of single-use plastics is also crucial to prevent plastic pollution in water bodies.
