Human Water Pollution: Ignorance Or Convenience?

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects all corners of the globe, and is predominantly caused by human activity. From oil spills and industrial waste to agricultural runoff and sewage, our actions are contaminating our water sources and putting both human and animal health at risk. The consequences of water pollution are dire, with 1.8 million deaths attributed to contaminated water in 2015, and unsafe water sickening approximately 1 billion people annually. With industries, households, and climate change all contributing to the problem, it is essential that we address the root causes of water pollution and take collective action to protect our precious water sources.

Industrial waste and toxic chemicals

The types of industrial waste generated vary depending on the industry and can include cafeteria garbage, dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metals, trash, oil, solvents, chemicals, weed grass and trees, wood, scrap lumber, and similar wastes. Some of the most common toxic chemicals released by industries include heavy metals, phenolic compounds, ammonia and nitrates. These chemicals have detrimental effects on aquatic life, reducing their reproductive ability and causing health problems in other animals and humans via the food chain.

The manufacturing, mining, and waste disposal industries are among the worst water polluters. For example, in North Carolina, residents near coal-fired power plants were warned about elevated levels of chromium-6 and other chemicals in their water supply. In Newark, New Jersey, the Passaic River, a drinking water source for millions, was polluted by chemicals manufactured by the now-defunct Diamond Alkali Co. In Ringwood, New Jersey, Ford Motor Co. dumped over 35,000 tons of toxic paint sludge, poisoning groundwater.

The food products industry is another major contributor to water pollution, with industrial wastewater containing chemicals, heavy metals, oils, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial by-products. While most major industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents, small-scale industries often lack the necessary pollution control equipment due to financial constraints. This results in the release of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater into natural waterways, causing harm to aquatic life and the environment.

Oil spills and leaks

Oil spills can harm marine life, including sea creatures and birds, by penetrating their structures and reducing their insulating abilities. This makes them more vulnerable to temperature changes and less buoyant in the water. Oil spills can also ruin beaches and make seafood unsafe to eat. The cleanup and recovery process after an oil spill is complex and can take weeks, months, or even years. It is important to note that cleanup activities may never remove 100% of the spilled oil, and certain methods, such as using high-pressure, hot-water hoses, can cause more damage than the oil itself.

Oil leaks and spills can occur on land or in water. Land-based oil spills are different from maritime spills as oil on land does not spread as quickly, and the effects remain local. Oil can reach oceans through runoff from roads, rivers, and land-based sources. Recreational boats can contribute to oil spills due to operational or human errors, although these tend to be small in volume.

Transportation and transfers of oil increase the risk of spills. The more transfers that occur between ocean tankers, pipelines, trains, and trucks, the higher the likelihood of an accident. Oil spills from pipelines can be caused by various factors, including trawling of fishing boats, natural disasters, pipe corrosion, construction defects, sabotage, or attacks.

Oil pollution also includes domestic and industrial sources, such as spills in fuel depots, oil leaks in vehicles, and improper disposal of oil, paint, or hazardous chemicals down storm drains. These substances eventually find their way into oceans, rivers, and lakes, often without any treatment to remove harmful contaminants.

Sewage and wastewater

Additionally, sewage and wastewater can contain microplastics, which are small plastic particles that accumulate in the environment. These microplastics are often ingested by marine wildlife and can biomagnify in the food chain, eventually reaching humans who consume seafood. The presence of microplastics in the water supply further exacerbates the problem of water pollution and its impact on both human health and ecosystems.

To address the issue of sewage and wastewater pollution, proper waste management systems are essential. This includes treating industrial and agricultural waste effectively before discharge and implementing measures to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides that can contaminate water sources. By taking these steps, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of sewage and wastewater on our environment and health.

Microplastics and plastic pollution

Plastic pollution in water is a significant issue, with plastic being the most prevalent type of marine debris found in oceans and lakes. Plastic debris can come in all shapes and sizes, but those that are less than 5mm in length are called "microplastics". These small plastic bits can come from larger plastic pieces that break apart, resin pellets used in manufacturing, or microbeads, which are tiny pieces of manufactured plastic used in health and beauty products.

Microplastics are often found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood. They can cause harm or even death to aquatic species through the entanglement effect, where animals become entangled and drown, suffocate or are strangled. Ingestion of microplastics is also harmful, contributing to 31% of all incidences involving marine organisms. Microplastics can cause particle toxicity and chemical toxicity due to the leaching of plastic-associated chemicals and additives. Biofilms growing on microplastics may also be a source of microbial pathogens.

A 2022 study found that microplastics accumulate within freshwater systems, especially at the source of rivers or streams, where the water flow is slower, and pollutants tend to reside longer. Organisms living in these areas, including marine animals, are more prone to ingesting microplastics, which then enter the food web and human diets, potentially degrading the entire food chain. In a study of fish from three rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin, 85% of the sampled fish had microplastics in their digestive tracts.

To reduce microplastic pollution, individuals can favour products made with biodegradable materials and sustainable packaging, recycle and reuse plastic products, and support companies that use sustainable food packaging alternatives.

Radioactive waste

Nuclear reactors produce radioactive isotopes, such as Cobalt-60 and Iridium-192, which are used in medical applications like radiotherapy. They also generate unnecessary radioactive waste products such as Strontium-90 and Caesium-137. Nuclear power plants use water as a coolant, which becomes contaminated and must be treated as radioactive waste. Additionally, the mining and refining of uranium ore, as well as the manufacturing of reactor fuel, can result in radioactive waste.

The disposal of radioactive waste is a significant challenge. While most nuclear waste has a relatively low level of radioactivity and is routinely disposed of in near-surface disposal facilities, a small volume (around 3%) is highly radioactive and requires isolation from the environment for thousands of years. This long-lived waste is typically stored in specially designed pools of water, which act as radiation shields, or in dry storage containers. However, the transport and long-term storage of this waste remain contentious issues, with critics arguing that there is still no satisfactory solution to the waste problem.

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