Environmental Issue
Water Pollution
Water
pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, ocean and
groundwater. This form of environmental degradation occurs when pollutants are
directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to
remove harmful compounds.
The
water pollution occur when the water bodies is adversely affected due to the
addition of large amounts of materials to the water. The source of water
pollution are categorized as being a
point source or a non-source point of pollution. Point sources of pollution
occur when the polluting substance is emitted directly into the waterway. For
example, a pipe spewing toxic chemicals directly into a river. A non-point
source occurs when there is runoff of pollutants into a waterway, for instance
when fertilizer from a field is carried into a stream by surface runoff.
Water pollution has many
different causes and this is one of the reasons why it is such a difficult
problem to be solved. One of the causes of water pollution is the farming. The
use of herbicides and pesticides in large amount in the farms can cause toxic
pollutants. These substances are particularly dangerous to life in rivers,
streams and lakes, where toxic substances can build up over a period of time. Farms also frequently use large amounts of chemical fertilizers
that are washed into the waterways and damage the water supply and the life
within it. Fertilizers can increase the amounts of nitrates and phosphates in
the water, which can lead to the process of eutrophication. Allowing
livestock to graze near water sources often results in organic waste products
being washed into the waterways. This sudden introduction of organic material
increases the amount of nitrogen in the water, and can also lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication
is the enrichment of an ecosystem with chemical nutrients that typically
containing nitrogen, phosphorus or both. Eutrophication is the forms of water
pollution.
Sewage is also the cause of water pollution.
Disposing of sewage is the major problem with billions of people on the planet.
Sewage disposal affects people's immediate environments and leads to
water-related illnesses such as diarrhoea. In
developed countries, most people have flush toilets that take sewage waste quickly and
hygienically away from their homes. Yet the problem of sewage disposal does not
end there. When you flush the toilet, the waste has to go somewhere and, even
after it leaves the sewage treatment works, there is still waste to dispose of.
Sometimes sewage waste is pumped untreated into the sea. When
people are sick with viruses, the sewage they produce carries those viruses
into the environment. It is possible to catch illnesses such as hepatitis,
typhoid, and cholera from river and sea water.
Other
than farming and sewage, there are also many causes that can lead water
pollution such as chemical waste, oil pollution, livestock animals, land
erosion, restaurants and food outlets and others. This type of cause can affect
the ecosystem, health and also can cause the death.
The
water pollution can lead to the destruction of ecosystem. The destroyed of the
ecosystem is by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefs are
affected by the bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures.
Additionally, the warm water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler
water in other areas, causing an ecological damaging shift of the affected
area. Eventually, humans also are affected by this process as well.
People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been
poisoned. In many poor nations, there is always outbreak of cholera and
diseases as a result of poor drinking water treatment from contaminated waters.
To stop
water pollution is not easy but we can still reduce the water pollution and
prevent it before it become worse. First of all, never
throw rubbish away anyhow. Always look for the correct waste bin. If there is
none around, please take it home and put it in your trash can. This includes
places like the beach, riverside and water bodies.
Other
than that, do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink
drain, or the toilet. In many cities, your local environment office can help
with the disposal of medicines and chemicals. Check with your local authorities
if there is a chemical disposal plan for local residents. If you use chemicals
and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to overuse pesticides
and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the chemical into nearby water
sources. Start looking at options of composting and using
organic manure instead.
The
government also should have very strict laws that help minimize water
pollution. These laws are usually directed at industries, hospitals, schools
and market areas on how to dispose, treat and manage sewage. There are also
lots of organizations and groups that help educate people on the dangers of
water pollution. It is always great to join these groups, because they
regularly encourage other members of their communities to have a better
attitude towards water.
In
conclusion, water is very important not only to human but also to the ecosystem.
So, we need to preserve our water and
take care of it wisely from being polluted. If the water pollution become
worse, the our ecosystem will be affected by it because all the living things
need water for live continuity.
